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Hairy Cell Leukemia

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Apr 10, 2023 | Replies (39)

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@loribmt

Hi @vickismith I’m really sorry to hear that you had such frightening side effects with the Rituxan treatments. Hopefully an alternative will be found for you.

We need to be cautious so that your experience doesn’t deter others, for whom the medication is vital, from getting treatment. I just want to put this out here in the forum that most people don’t experience any side effects or if they do, they’re very minor. Rituxan or Rituximab is well tolerated by most patients and it definitely is a beneficial treatment.

The most common side effect happens at the initial infusion. The speed of the infusion has a lot to do with it. If there’s a reaction, the patient is given Benadryl or other medications to mitigate the reaction and the drip slowed significantly.
Was your reaction immediate or after a few days?

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Replies to "Hi @vickismith I’m really sorry to hear that you had such frightening side effects with the..."

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare anyone. I tried the infusion 3 times. The drip was on the lowest level. I was very emotional to be honest because I know that's the best treatment plan. I took 40 mg dexamethasone the 3rd time 12 hr before and then 5 or 6 others were injected before they started the drip. I'm waiting to talk to my Oncologist next week.