Description

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL): Rituximab is indicated for the treatment of patients with- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to Rituxan in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy. Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first-line CVP chemotherapy Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Rituximab is indicated, in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC), for the treatment of patients with previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Rituximab in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately- to severely- active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies. Granulomatos Is With Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA): Rituximab, in combination with glucocorticoids, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) andMicroscopic Polyangiitis (MPA).

Hypersensitivity to murine proteins. Patients with active, severe infections. Severely immunocompromised state. Concomitant use with live viral vaccines. Lactation.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus. Fever and rigors. Pruritus, skin rashes, dyspnoea, bronchospasm, angioedema, transient hypotension, and flushing, asthenia, headache, rhinitis, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and perforation. Exacerbation of heart failure and angina pectoris. Reversible interstitial pneumonia and interstitial fibrosis. Depletion of immunoglobulin concentrations.

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Extensive tumour burden, pulmonary insufficiency or pulmonary tumour infiltration; history of cardiac disease. Pregnancy.

Cytotoxic immunosuppressants

Dilute the appropriate dose with sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5% to a final concentration of between 1 and 4 mg/mL.