RITUXIREL 100 Injection

INTRODUCTION ABOUT RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION

RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION contains Rituximab which belongs to the group of medicines called Anticancer drugs. It is used to manage blood cancer (leukaemia) and lymph cancer (lymphoma). It can also be used to manage various auto-immune disease conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis (inflammation of blood vessels) and pemphigus vulgaris (severe skin blistering and peeling especially on the mouth, nose, throat, eyes and genitals).

It is mostly used in combination with other cytotoxic anticancer agents to achieve better results. It is suitable for use both in adults and in children (aged 6 months or older). RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION will be administered to you only by an oncologist or a trained professional into your vein (as intravenous infusion).

Before receiving RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any heart problems (such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure or abnormal heartbeat). You must also inform your doctor if you currently have or previously had hepatitis B infection or any other mild infections (including minor cough and cold) as a precaution.

RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Both men and women receiving RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION.

The most common side effects of receiving this medicine are fever, chills, skin rashes with itching, shortness of breath and low blood pressure. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION

It is used to manage:

Blood cancer (Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia)

Lymph cancer (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma)

Rheumatoid arthritis (joint pain and inflammation)

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis (inflammation of blood vessels)

Pemphigus vulgaris (severe skin blistering and peeling especially on the mouth, nose, throat, eyes and genitals)

HOW RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION WORKS

RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION is a monoclonal antibody. It destroys the immune cells (B-cells) that triggers cancer formation. It also reduces the production of certain chemicals within the body (such as rheumatoid factor, T-cells, cytokines) that causes inflammation, pain and swelling which helps in managing various autoimmune diseases.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously).

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF RITUXIREL 100 INJECTION

COMMON

increased infections (bacterial, viral or fungal)

low RBC, WBC and platelet counts in blood

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, indigestion

mouth ulcers

hair loss

fever, chills, pneumonia, shingles, cold, sinusitis

thrush, urinary tract infection

headache, dizziness, tiredness, weakness

hepatitis B infection

high blood sugar and cholesterol levels

weight loss, lack of appetite

numbness, tingling, pricking, burning sensation on the skin

restlessness, problems in falling asleep, anxiety, depression

flushing (skin redness)

eye inflammation or watery eyes

ringing sound in the ears, ear pain

uneven or fast heart rate, high or low blood pressure

shortness of breath, runny nose, nasal itching and repeated sneezing

increased sweating, night sweats

muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, neck pain

pain while passing urine

fungal foot infection (athlete’s foot)

tremors (shakiness)

swelling of the hands or ankles

UNCOMMON

blood clotting problems

changes in taste

slow heart rate

chest tightness and lung problems

RARE

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

fever, chills, shivering, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes with blisters and itching, flushing, pain at the infusion site, headache, tiredness, wheezing, high blood pressure, palpitations, swelling of throat or tongue, runny or itchy nose and chest pain

fever, cough, sore throat, burning pain while passing urine, feeling weak or generally unwell

signs of brain problem (such as memory loss, trouble thinking, difficulty in walking or vision problems)

signs of severe skin reactions (such as severe skin blistering and redness that may appear on the on the mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth, the genital areas or the eyelids, with fever)