If i understand correctly, it takes hours to receive Rituximab, has anyone found it a problem driving home after their treatment?

[dotty2dot]

It would take me 1 1/2 hours to get home?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

The problem arises with the Rituxan premeds...you should not be driving or operating heavy equipment on them. They can make you very woozy!!

In Canada you must have a designated driver.

[dotty2dot in reply to Cllcanada]

Thank you, seems like I will have to make other arrangements.

[Oleboyredw-uk]

I had someone drive me for my first four. I drove myself for last two once i'd gauged the sude effects. Journey is an hour for me of easy driving. It's not just the premeds, which can make you woosey(piriton) but also your stress level i think for first few. I also had a driver lined up on last two if i felt unhappy at all.

Rob

[dotty2dot in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

Thanks, I will have to sort something else out then.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

I have had 2 series of 8 infusions- 2010 (weekly) and 2012 (bi weekly). The first infusion of each series took about 6 hours, and as the series progressed it was reduced to about 3.5 hours. The premeds made me groggy and gave me a headache. Most of the time I felt like I do after a flight from Europe- slightly anxious, impatient, mild headache, and difficulty paying attention, so I had drivers or took public transit to return home.

[dotty2dot in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks, pleased to hear the infusion time comes down. I will check out public transport and friends I think.

[David39]

Hi dotty2dot,

My return journey time was around 90 minutes on public transport and I really did struggle after the first infusion. Not sure if that was the result of a moderate immune reaction to the Rituximab, which is not uncommon despite the pre-meds. Thereafter I had no problems and was able to receive a 'fast infusion' which meant it was all done and dusted within 2-3 hours with no adverse effects. I'd recommend you have someone with you, if possible, at least for the first couple of infusions until you know how you're going to be affected.

[dotty2dot in reply to David39]

Wise advice, thank you.

[Dublin]

In my experience, yes the premeds make you a bit drowsy, but each time I drive home afterwards, takes about 2 hrs to do the R and then a saline flush, it doesnt effect your cognitive function, in my case anyway

[dotty2dot in reply to Dublin]

That's encouraging, thanks.

[ruji]

Yes if it makes you feel anything like I did. Generally took about 7 hours to have my dose followed by one of my chemos and at the end of all that I had to be collected from hospital. It was worst the first time when I had violent flu symptoms but subsequent sessions left me exhausted and achey and unable to travel on my own. Not everyone reacts that badly but best to be on the safe side.

[dotty2dot in reply to ruji]

I think I'll take the 'girl guide' advice,....be prepared for everything.

[Marisa]

Hi. I had Rituximab in tablet form with no side effects.

Hope this helps.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Marisa]

There is no Rituxan/MabThera tablet form ...it is a monoclonal antibody... it is given by IV or a new form is administered subcutaneously, SC. Administering Rituxan/MabThera SC shortens the treatment time significantly, enabling administration over approximately 5 minutes compared with 2.5 hours during IV infusion, which is average...

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin in reply to Cllcanada]

Good luck dotty2dot you've gained some good experiences from members,we look forward to your posts.

Chris thanks for highlighting developments with subcutaneous delivery.

I just looked up the Roche media release about MabThera/Rituximab SC following the presentation of the pivotal study data at ASH in December. roche.com/media/media_relea... An interesting.product that will not be hard to market I would guess?

I see the study is ongoing I will follow this with interest: ash.confex.com/ash/2012/web...

Cheers

Nick

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to HAIRBEAR_UK]

Roche needs to stem the probable attack of biosimilars on the rituxan ramparts... $7 billion a year isn't chicken feed. It in theory makes FCR a non-IV therapy, a few tablets and an injection... big cost savings might be realised.

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin in reply to Cllcanada]

I guess this new product may go some way to counter this? As it offers administrative cost savings?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to HAIRBEAR_UK]

I suspect it will be more expensive than Rituxan, but it will be premixed which might save pharmacy time and certainly a few hours of infusion time...

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin]

Hi Marisa could you be confusing this with another treatment you may have received?

I was led to believe Rituximab is administered only as an Intravenous Infusion , To enable control of the speed of delivery to minimise risk of adverse reaction.

great care is taken during the first infusion as this is when most likely reactions may occur so the drug is administered very slowly in the beginning and you are monitored very closely . Treating clinicians have very strict protocols, premeds to administer and doses and timings to follow . These are explained on the Rituximab website, as are possible reactions the administration protocols have been arrived at through clinical trial to avoid the effects of adverse reactions and minimize risk. After early slow infusion the speed may then be picked up.

Nick

[Marisa in reply to HAIRBEAR_UK]

hello Hairbair. yes, I got confused. I had Rituximab as an infusion. They initially gave it to me slowly with an anti histamine drug. The only side effect was a raised temperature. The next courses things were sped up a bit more. It did seem to take ages ... The fist time I was there for 5 hours and then this got gradually reduced to about 3 hours. I drove home afterwards and had no other side effects.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

When I had IV Rituxan I had no problems with the Rituxan, but the IV Benedryl (50MG - same as two tablets, but totally different side effects) knocked me out. UCLA absolutely will not speed up the infusion rate for the Rituxan, so the days were long (about 6 hours). They also absolutely will not sign you out of the infusion room until 6 hours after your Benedryl infusion if you don't have a driver. I found that it took at least 7 hours before I felt ready to tackle LA freeways. I usually got a hotel room nearby for the night and went to work from there the next day. I figured I was working too hard to stay alive to do something stupid and kill myself and maybe others on the freeway driving home (at least a 2 hour drive in traffic).

[gkblues]

I have had 4 lots of Rituximab, it made me feel tired afterwards. I would suggest to have someone with you to drive you home. It would be a weight of your mind when you have finished your Rituximab.