In a nutshell
This study evaluated the long-term safety of rituximab (Rituxan) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers reported that prolonged and repeated use of rituximab is safe and well-tolerated.
Some background
RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation of the joints. Rituximab is an immune-modifying biological agent used in the treatment of severe RA. Rituximab has been demonstrated to improve symptoms and delay joint damage. It is often used in combination with methotrexate (Trexall) in patients not responding to other treatments. Some studies are suggesting that such immune-modifying agents may increase the risk of developing infections, heart disease and certain cancers. Rituximab is often used over the course of many years. It is therefore necessary to understand the potential risks associated with its long-term and repeated use.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to examine the safety of rituximab in RA over the course of 11 years.
An analysis was conducted involving 11 separate trials and 3,595 patients. All patients had moderate to severe RA and received treatment with rituximab plus methotrexate. 1,246 of these patients were followed for more than 5 years. A further 818 patients received placebo (substance with no active effect on the body).
The rate of side effects and serious side effects was similar between rituximab and placebo. The relative number of observed side effects remained stable after the first 6 months of treatment, and did not change after 9.5 years of treatment. Dosage of rituximab did not influence the rate of side effects. Serious side effects of rituximab were infrequent. These included worsening of RA symptoms, pneumonia, osteoarthritis, and falls (all occurring in about 2% of cases). 7% of patients discontinued rituximab due to side effects.
There was no evidence of an increased rate of any type of fatal event associated with prolonged rituximab use. The rate of infections, heart disease and new cancers diagnosed also did not differ between patients treated with rituximab and the placebo group. The occurrence of these was comparable to those observed in the general population.
The bottom line
Researchers concluded that long-term use of rituximab is safe and well-tolerated among RA patients.
Published By :
The Journal of Rheumatology
Date :
Aug 15, 2015
on my 11th course rituximab and no sign of any effects,other than getting a little chesty adjacent to infusions
Commenthttps://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/51/4/653/1802004
Non-infectious pulmonary toxicity of rituximab: a systematic review
Objective. Rituximab (RTX), a B-cell depleting mAb, has been reported to cause pulmonary toxicity in many patients
Conclusion. ILD is a rare but potentially fatal complication of RTX therapy.
I have had pre menopausal Breast Cancer, twice at 31 yrs and 44 yrs of age.
RT,lumpectomy, then mod rad Mastectomy , chemorx .
Have SLE, RA as well. UCSF oncologist did not revomm me getting Rituximabb , due to hx.
Now Rhuem is prescribing due to uncontrolled inflammation.
Mine is for maintenance of follicular lymphoma in second year, but first few months was part of rchop. I have remained allergic to it and eventually began getting chronic fevers and fatigue with lack of appetite. Down 35 pounds so far from lack of appetite and nausia. On about week ten since last injection.
Same. I was told at MD Anderson that I had had a very rare autoimmune response to it. Best of luck to those who are ok with it. If you don’t feel ok, stop taking it. A year after not taking it, I still don’t have complete feeling back in my feet even after a lot of it finally came back. I don’t gain and lose weight normally any more and I never regained full energy back. It wasn’t worth it for me.
Wondering if a doctor has to approve the change from rituxin to truxima?
Any change in medication/treatment needs to be discussed with, and then prescribed by, a doctor.
My mum got severe headaches with dizziness after two separate doses of Rituximab. (She is treated for RA). The headaches are persistent and very severe. After the first dose the pain receded after a few months. This time she still has the headaches about 2 months after the 2nd dose. We hope it will go away like the first time. Anybody experienced similar symptoms?
Anyone notice hair texture change while on rituxan..mine went frm totally straight to curly