? Side effect of Rituximab

[Wangpaupau]

Hi forgot to mention that apart from the shoulder pain & finger stiffness, 2 days ago, my daughter also developed itching on the whole body No evidence of rashes but noticed hives on the legs yesterday Been taking Desloratadine 5mgs which seemed to help. This is her 2nd Rituximab cycle since last year Had chest infection after last year's cycle.

[AgedCrone]

I had that at my first infusion....a couple of anti histamine fixed the problem....& I have had no more problems......but do mention it to your daughter’s rheumy nurse...if she is still on two infusions.....her consultant may want to tweak her dose.

[Lolabridge]

I do get itching too but no rash anywhere. I hadn’t thought that it could be an effect of the Rituximab so will ask my nurse next time I’m in contact with her. Because I had developed a terrible rash all over from Sulphasalazine, my first RA treatment, and had to use steroid creams for months I had assumed the itching was a lasting effect of that.

[Paisley58]

I hope your daughter get's well soon.

I am on Rituximab infusion and they have helped me greatly but after not having any for over year due to covid. however, I developed itching all over my body. There was no evidence of a rash or anything but my pharmacist said it is a known side effect of Ritux . I put it to my rheumy and they agreed, so I have been using Cerva ever since and that helped a lot. I suggest talking to her rheumy team or GP and see what they think. I wish you daughter well and I really hope everything settles down soon and the Ritux works and gives her some relief from RA

[Wangpaupau in reply to Paisley58]

Hello Paisley58 thank you for your message. Just to update you & all our kind members who have replied to my post. Following the side effects of itching, headache, feeling tired & weak which occurred last weekend, my daughter attended for her 2nd Rituximab infusion yesterday. 5 mins into her infusion, she started itching, felt hot, her heart rate went up to 140 & she had difficulty breathing. The ICU Dr was called to attend to her. The infusion was stopped & thankfully she recovered. She had chest scan, various blood tests & spent the night in A&E under observation. She was discharged this morning & have appt to see the Rheumatologist tomorrow morning to discuss other medication options. It was a scary experience for my daughter. I hope this account of what happened to my daughter does not put anyone off Rituximab as from other's experience it works well for some people. Obviously we are all different. Unfortunately it doesn't work in this instance for my daughter. Funny that last year in May she had her1st cycle of 2 infusions & was fine...