Rituxan

My 22 year old son had his first treatment Thursday with rituxan. last night, he was up all night vomitting, chills, diarrhea, hyperventilating. I called the hematolgist at 3am this morning and she said he probably had the flu. He is finally resting now, but could this come from the drug and not the flu???

He may have had a reaction to the Rituxan, possibly Serum sickness. Fever, general ill feeling, itching, pain in the joints, rashes and swollen lymph nodes are symptoms of Serum sickness. Keep an eye on him!! I doubt it was the Flu!!!

ok, thanks

How is he doing? If he is worse or if he has any joint pain, you should go to the ER for possible serum sickness. If he is better and no joint pain, let the hematologist know to give more pre-medication next time.

It concerns me the hema would say it's the flu - pretty big coincidence. If they won't acknowledge it could be a reaction to Rituxan, then they may not be attentive to reactions next time.
Erica

What did he have for pre-meds?

I don't think it would be serum sickness yet. It's too soon for that. It sounds like either the flu or a flu-like reaction to Rituxan.

The following Rituxan side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Rituxan:
•Fever and chills (see flu like symptoms)

www.chemocare.com/bio/rituxan.asp


www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/medications/rituximab.pdf

he has just been laying around all day and very drained. When they gave him the rituxan drip on thursday(his first), they also gave him an iv of benadryl and then told us to go and buy some oral benadryl for that evening. He has not vomitted anymore since this morning, just had to call off work and is laying around or napping. He said he feels better, just very tired. I agree, a coincidence or flu? wierd, guess we will see what happens after his next treatment. I was reading about rituxan, it seems a very dangerous drug to give?

Most people have no problems, but yes, when you read about it, it does seem scary. It can be very helpful but can also be overused sometimes.

When I had Rituxan, I was also pre-treated with Tylenol and Solumedrol. Maybe if they add some pre-meds, he won't get sick next week. Usually, the first infusion is the worst as far as side effects.

I'm glad your son is feeling better.

I was given Tylenol, Benadryl and Hydrocortisone before the Rituxan was started.

I'm glad your son is feeling better as well.

I have had two rounds of Rituxan. I had a reaction the first treatment of the second round. Tightness in chest, chills, shivers, shortness of breath. IV was stopped, meds to counter reaction were given and IV was started an hour later at a much slower rate. I was given Tylenol/Benadryl before each treatment.

Glad to hear he is doing better!!

you know, he could have been given pre meds, I thought he just recieved the benedryl drip as well as the rituxan, but I came there a little later to bring him lunch because he was resting before that. Maybe he had the flu then, who knows, will see how it goes next week on tx #2

Thanks all