Cyclophosphamide for MPA Induction, Rituximab for Maintenance (any experience with this?)

[Support_helps]

Hello wondering if anyone has experience dealing with MPA/p-ANCA where initial induction was achieved with Cyclophosphamide and then after successful induction, a switch to Rituximab was used for the maintenance phase? I am currently using Azathioprine (Imuran) for maintenance but I think it is causing some undesirable side effects which apparently are fewer with Rituximab.

I would be grateful to hear if anyone has had a similar experience and what their success rate was with the Rituximab after discontinuing the Cyclophosphamide.

Thanks very much!

[amms43]

I too have MPA. Started with a year on Cyclophosphamide but relapsed quite quickly and was changed to Rituximab. I had the infusions at lengthening intervals for several years eventually ceased and have been in remission now for a few years. I had no difficult side effects with Rituximab or the infusions.

[Mooka]

I had cyclophosphamide to start with as it was the norm then. I then went on to azathioprine which didn’t help and was making me dizzy. I moved my care to a specialist centre where I was started on rituximab. Rituximab put me into remission but it knocked my immunoglobulin levels for six and ended up with a lot of infections. I had rituximab for two years. I had a flare a few years later and another couple of rituximab infusions put me back into remission and I’ve stayed there ever since. We all respond to the drugs differently though. Good luck I hope you find something that works for you soon.