Rituxan Side Effects | Arthritis Information

I had my first Rituxan infusion yesterday. The only side effect I noticed at the time was a headache. However, I could not sleep at all last night, and today I have had alternating chills and fever, nausea, headache and mild shortness of breath.

I checked out a website for Rituxan that listed the above as "common" side effects in 87% of patients. However, neither the doctor nor the infusion nurse mentioned these potential problems, so I am curious if others have had similar experiences? If so, how long might these symptoms last?

These things have been unpleasant today, but not horrible, so I didn't bother calling the office.

Thanks to anyone responding. I am new to this message board. I have RA, Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Sjogren's Syndrome. I've been taking methotrexate since January with no improvement.

Hi Cat!

I'm not able to help with the Rituxan but I wanted to say 'welcome'. Somebody should be up and jump in.

Hugs,

Pip

HI Cat, I said Hi on another thread but I wanted to say welcome to the board.

Sorry, though, I don't know anything about Rituxan.HI Cat, I am not on Rituxan, was supposed to be but my Rheumy chickened out for me due to my hypersensitivities to almost every dmard and biologic, he is starting me on Orencia/abatacept next. I wish you luck, watch out for Cordy and a couple of others on the board that are actually on it and they are very helpful people. Welcome to AI, hugs Janie. you should call your rheumatolgist

Hi Cat and welcome to the board. I had my first Ritxuan infusion yesterday as well, but I was very fortunate not to really have any adverse reaction. Last night at 11:30 I started coughing a lot and sneezing, but that could even be my regular allergies, so I took some additional allergy meds and have been fine.

I'm so sorry that your doctor didn't mention the possible effects to you...they certainly should have. You might want to call just to see if they want to give you anything for the side effects...steroids or something else. Also, they should know so that on your second infusion they are aware you had problems with the first.

I hope your symptoms get better as the day goes on. And I'll keep my fingers crossed that this treatment is going to help both of us.

The only side effect I had from Rituxan was "night sweats" also chills and fever, but I thought the chills were from getting cold from the sweats.

Good luck.

Hi and welcome to the board. Sorry about your reaction to the meds. I don't take Rituxan, but others here can respond. Other people are more sensitive to meds than I am. I hope you feel better soon. LyndaHi Cat

The same Rituxan side effects continued today, not as quite bad except for the fever/sweats. So unpleasant. If I'm not better by Monday, I'll call the doctor. But IF this Rituxan treatment does eventually help, it would be worth putting up with this discomfort!