Rituximab

[Welshwomanprestatyn]

does anyone have any advice about the effect of the COVID vaccine on Rituximab.

I had my first infusion in July which has been successful for me and given me a pain free life. So don’t want to ‘mess it up by risking Covid vaccine if it has a negative effect.

thanks

[smilelines]

I don't have any experience on this but was in bed for a weekend from the covid shot and now I swear my cosentyx is not as effective. I am wondering if the high temperature etc activated my disease.

[3LittleBirds2]

Hi

If you do a search on here, you will find some posts asking the same..including one of mine I think, way back from when we started being vaccinated.

Always best to check with your Rheumatologist team for the expert advice, I remember having a Covid Vaccine two weeks after my Rituximab infusion as they said it shouldn't interfere as it wouldn't have started working by then, this year I caught Covid a month after having Rituximab. I THINK the advice used to be wait until 3 months after having your last infusion to have the vaccine but advice differs so always best to check.

Glad you've had a positive effect from Ritux , it's a great drug and I had 7 good years on it but sadly not working enough for me now.

Best wishes!

[JAQUEKB in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

Hello, I’m on Rituximab as well and is working very well. I’m due to have my next infusion in January but it’s my dads birthday in Brasil in February. He will be 80 years old and the doctor said it’s ok to have the infusion and travel as long I tried to keep myself away from infections. I went to different places and never got anything as i have been very careful. This time I will be careful but it’s a birthday party so many people probably will come very close.

Do you mind to ask you when if you had the antivirals when you had Covid after the infusion? I wish we could buy the antiviral do I could take it with me to Brasil.

Xxx

[Welshwomanprestatyn in reply to JAQUEKB]

I wasn’t on Rituximab when I got Covid but when I started on infusion I received some covid test kits with code number to contact GP with which links to a request for antivirals if I was positive. Sent by Wales NHS

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to JAQUEKB]

Hi JAQUEKB

You should be fine as long as your sensible and take the same precautions to avoid infections as you do at home and your Doctor has confirmed this also.

I caught Covid about 2 months after having Rituximab, not an ideal time to get it as it was probably starting to kick in , I was prescribed anti virals but it was too late to take them. I also had an infection (usual for me after Ritux) which probably affected things also as the infection was worse than normal. It was just one of those things but I did feel quite poorly for a few weeks. Your other option is that you delay your infusion until you get back but that is obviously up to you and your Consultant's advice.

Have a fabulous time in Brazil and enjoy the party, life is for living, I'm pleased Rituximab is working for you. Xxx

[emmajj1971]

I have been fine having most of the covid jabs I've had 6 or 7 now. Only side affect with 2. I wouldn't have them to close to the infusion it's not advised to have the covid jab an infusions within in 2 weeks of each other

[janmary]

I was told not to have COVID jab until 3 months after Rtx infusion and not less than 3 weeks before the next . I think that the advice is about the reduced effectiveness of the vaccine not effectiveness of the Rtx.

[cathie in reply to janmary]

advice I was given that I could have vaccine one month after second infusion it worked for me. And agree about effectiveness of jag

[Bagpuss2021]

I am in the same position. my consultant told me not to have the covid jab because I was unwell after my last one because it can interfere with the infusion and then it won't work. I have decided not to take the risk, so I am leaving off the covid jab for now.

[cathie]

I’m on rituximab and have had all the jabs offered to me including the autumn covid+ flu booster. My understanding is that rituximab reduces the effect of the vaccine not the other way. Which is why we remain on the list for antivirals if we’re unlucky enough to catch it. My advice is definitely get vaccinated but ask nurse/ doctor if in doubt

[Lolabridge in reply to cathie]

I had exactly the same advice from my consultant as you Cathie when I was on Rituximab.

[Jillyanne]

I was told by my consultant to wait 4 weeks after rituximab, never had a issue with the Covid vaccination but everyone is different

[cathie in reply to Jillyanne]

Exactly. I get an hour of shivering a few hours after the jag, rest, and then am back to normal.

[AgedCrone]

I have been on Rtx very successfully since 2016. You need speak to your rheumy team…we are all different. I had bad side affects from the first two Covid vaccinations….but the second two were fine.

However, I had an infusion 2 months after the 4th vaccination ….on being tested a few months later I had no antibodies & the infusion didn’t work..I ended up having to wait 15 months for my next infusion.. I did have Covid but very mildly.

This year I spoke to my rheumy and he agreed that I would not have this Autumn Covid vaccination.

However as you had a Rtx infusion in July…it is advised you wait at least 6 months before having any vaccination….including the Infuenza jab.

But as I said take your rheumy’s advice….it seems different rheumatologists have different opinions

[Welshwomanprestatyn in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi thanks for your reply I had never given it much thought after the infusion and a couple of weeks ago I popped into the village pharmacy who were doing flu jabs so I joined the queue and that. No side effects. But I am worried as I was so ill with RA before infusion.

[Springerfan]

I had my first infusions in August and my covid jab in October. I was told that the covid jab might not be as effective due to the rituximab. I didn’t have any adverse effects in particular. Just a sore arm.

[AgedCrone]

As a general rule - having had RA for 20+ years I work on the fact I don’t have any vaccination, nor take any new drug without checking with my rheumy team.I had long discussion with the practice nurse about having the Shingles vaccination before the non live Shingrix was available on the NHS.Now it is available…I’m too old to have it!

GPs don’t like my attitude, , but I consider it’s my body & my pain & that is more important to me than their ego - because most don’t have much knowledge of RA drugs/ infusions. …..

[welsh12 in reply to AgedCrone]

Do you need the shingles one if you have had chicken pox and have antibodies. Awful Shingles is

[AgedCrone in reply to welsh12]

Yes .the non live vaccine is recommended to those over 50 I think these days. .I had Chickenpox as a child & I did develop Shingles about 4/5 years ago, but it was no big deal…I had it on my face over my eye up into my hair.It was unpleasant & I did have the pins & needles headaches for about 6 months after the rash had disappeared.

But it was by no means serious like some people have it,