Antibiotics and rituximab : I have GPA or wegeners... - NRAS

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Antibiotics and rituximab

gpaman profile image
9 Replies

I have GPA or wegeners granulomatosis. Just started on Rituximab 3 days ago and am due for my second treatment in two weeks. I have a UTI and have just started antibiotics for 7 days. Will this defer my next rituximab or will it be ok to have?

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gpaman
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Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17

Hi, I had exactly the same .. a UTI between the first and second Rituximab infusions this summer and was given a week of Nitrofurantoin antibiotics. I was told by the rheumy nurse that as long as I had had the antibiotics out of my system for over 3 days and the infection had cleared it was alright to have the second infusion. I would phone and ask your biologics nurse/rheumy. I was expecting to be delayed a week. The time when I had a UTI before it resulted in me delaying my second infusion. I was told UTIs can happen between infusion 1and 2. As I never had them before Rituximab, it may well be! I also think it for me it was the height of summer and I got some dehydration as that happens to me a lot when it is very hot weather even if I drink plenty! Anyhow, I have been told that if you need to delay your second infusion as you are still on antibiotics, then leaving it for 2/3 weeks is not going to effect the efficacy of the Rituximab and that they have to delay often if someone gets a bad cold/chest infection that won't go quickly and needs a couple of weeks' antibiotic etc. For peace of mind try give them a call. Good luck. x

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply toNeonkittie17

Sorry .. Rheumy not relevant in your case but definitely ask your biologic nurse's advice. Tell them what antibiotics you are taking. x

gpaman profile image
gpaman in reply toNeonkittie17

Thanks for this, really helps. Hopefully my nitrofuridantoin will have finished at least 5 -6 days priorto my second rituximab.

weathervane profile image
weathervane

I had the same experience as neonkettle and had a 3 week gap between transfusion without any problems. Do contact your nurse and let them know, i hope all goes well for you.

gpaman profile image
gpaman in reply toweathervane

Thank you for your response.

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply toweathervane

Yes there is no need to panic if a gap of a few weeks is needed they told me. These things happen and you cannot have the infusion whilst on the antibiotics. I finished the Friday and had the infusion the Tuesday morning. I went ahead with it as the biologics nurse said it would be fine. Good luck. x

kellienix profile image
kellienix

I do Rituxan infusions for RA. Your physician may want to test to make sure infection is cleared. I haven’t experienced UTIs with mine, but have gotten upper respiratory infection and had to delay only if the round of antibiotics wasn’t completed.

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply tokellienix

They may want to test the urine if they're not sure it has cleared but they didn't with me as I'd had a urine test at my GP on the Friday before the Tuesday infusion. I knew and felt it had cleared up. I'm sure the antibiotics will have worked for Gpaman. Hope Rituximab is working well for you Kellie.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Talk to your rheumy nurses NOW.

I have been on RTX for 18 months & my nurses are always very strict asking if I have been well ..if you have an active bacterial infection, I would imagine you may have to postpone your second infusion...but if you have. 7 days on Antibiotics, you may be clear 7 days later.

But do ask tomorrow.Good Luck with the RTX- I find it has been very successful for me.

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