how long do you do rutxian

how long do you do this, month, 2 months, 4 weeks and then get tested. is this forever is it two months, does it go down for one infusion a month, need as much info as possible where ther be a problem when it is stopped, hope to hear some info. thanks

Here's what I know. It's 4 infusions one a week for 4 weeks, though there is some discussion that fewer could work just as well. The dosage depends on your weight. The first one takes 5 to 6 hours. They do it real slow in case you have a reaction. You are pre-treated with Benedryl and Tylenol to minimize a reaction. If you do have a reaction they slow down or stop the drip and give you more Benedryl or a steriod to stop the reaction then start again real slow. The following treatments should go quicker though mine didn't. They should check your counts weekly before starting the treatment, they did with me anyway. It could take as much as 12 weeks to see a change in your counts though for most if there is going to be a rise, cuz you know nothing is certian with this treatment, it happens quicker than that. The treatment could last for 6+ months or even put you in remission!
Good luck!

I have had rituxan twice. The first treatment I had infusions every week for 5 weeks, I did not respond until the 4th treatment. The rituxan gave me a two year remission. In April of 2010 I had rituxan again because of a relapse, my platlets were always below 5,000. I had four treatmentments this time with no immediate results, I then received a drug to help me along called n-plate (platlet growth stimulator). Nplate was a drug I received when my platlets dropped below 15,000 I received it only 4 times because it can cause bone marrow fibrosis. After that fourth time I went back into a remission since September and platlets have been 330,000 since. I think the rituxan is a wonderfull drug for those of us with ITP. I did not have any side effects from either one of these drugs and which I am very thankfull for.

Generally, it's just four treatments, once a week. It can take up to 12 weeks to work. If it works and you get a remission, you don't do any more infusions until counts go back down.