Rituxin treatment

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Rituxin treatment

by normguntv on Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:00 AM

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My friend is about to start treatment with Rituxin.  I don't know the effects the antibody will have on him.  I don't know if it's even necessary but any suggestion(s) what he should eat to help curb the side effects?  He's a vegan which makes it a little trickier.  Thank you...

RE: Rituxin treatment

by William_H_6 on Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:00 AM

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I have had numerous treatments with Rituxan (rituxamab) with little or no side effects. The initial treatment in each series has given me mild, flu-like symptoms beginning at the end of the treatment (started at ~9 AM, 2-3 hours infusion time) and ending later that evening. Some persons receive an antihistamine (Benadryl) along with the treatment, as some (few) respond with allergic reactions, some quite serious, as did one friend of mine. Such allergic responses can be life threatening, as is the case with some persons' responses to bee stings. The addition of the Benadryl, for me, is actually the worst side effect, as it makes me dizzy and sleepy. I have dropped the Benadryl from my treatments. You may think this a favorable reaponse, as it makes you sleep through the infusion time. Rituxan is a pretty mild drug amongst the scheme of possible cancer drugs, although it is quite expensive.

 Best wishes and God bless your efforts for good health and care.

RE: Rituxin treatment

by William_H_6 on Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:00 AM

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Follow-up -

I forgot to mention that, to the best of my knowledge, Rituxan is derived through a process of growth in mice. Perhaps this may be a probelm for your "vegan" friend.

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