Rituxan Treatment responses and Dosage Regime.

Hello,
I have yet to find a lasting solution to my low platelet counts after Predinose failure and IVIG treatment without long term platelet increase, so hema doc is suggesting Rituxan? What is the treatment regime and response time from this treatment? How about side-effects? Thanks

Rituxan is a very common treatment for ITP. It's given once a week for four weeks, and each infusion takes between 4 to 6 hours. The first infusion is longer because the drip is given slowly to avoid side effects. If a person is going to have a reaction, it normally happens during the first infusion, so they are very careful and monitor patients closely. Most people do not have a problem but if they do, it can be dealt with quickly.

Pre-meds (Tylenol, Benedryl and sometimes steroids) are given to ward off reactions. Most people sleep through the infusions. I took a book but just read the same page over and over and gave up. I found the infusions to be uneventful. Sit there and sleep all day? Sure beat a stressful day at work.

There is research that states that a lower dose than is normally given is just as effective, so you may want to talk to your doctor about that.

Response time: Most people see a rise in counts within 4 to 12 weeks after the first infusion, but it has occurred sooner than that and later than that. Response rate is 50% to 60%. Remissions can last about a year, although some people get a longer one.