Rituximab and Itching: What Users Say

• Rob...
• June 15, 2014

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Entering the 7th hour of the process during my 1st infusion; I experienced annoying itching deep within my ears, back of throat, head and face. Shortly after the 'push', increasing the drip, I broke out into hives on my face, head and neck with red welts ironically appearing in the areas where I had historically given myself the Enbrel injections...front of both thighs and stomach. Enbrel had stopped its effectiveness after almost 2 years and it had been almost 1 month from my last injection prior to the infusion. My doctor made the decision to discontinue the infusion fearing that my allergic reaction may cause anaphylaxis."

• Min...
• June 4, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1997. Failed Enbrel and Humira with hives, itching. Tried Orencia but their patient program and delivering meds was a huge disappointment (IV med only available at the time). MTX caused my liver enzymes to go nuts. Started Rituxan in 2009. My results were atypical. Rituxan is my liquid gold with a platinum price tag! A few weeks after my 2nd infusion, I felt incredible. I started running and biking. I lost 83 lbs in 4 months. I went from 235 lbs of prednisone, sedentary, and having 3 kids increased weight to a healthy 152 lbs. I wasn't fatigued. For the first time in 19 years, I was in remission while not pregnant. Not for everybody, but great for me."

• Dua...
• March 30, 2011

Rituximab for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma "Extremely important medicine for me with Lymphoma low grade stage 1 under my right eyelid. Very rare location for lymphoma. The first time I did 4 sessions with Rituxan in Jun/2010 and now March/2011 the second time. The pictures show my eyes before and after and big difference this medicine made. Thanks doctors and nurses for brilliant work. Itchy was my first side effect and second time no side effects at all. Highly recommended."

• Son...
• May 11, 2020

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have rheumatoid arthritis for the last 26 years, tried numerous drugs for it: methotrexate, hydrochloride, gold injections, Enbrel, but had really bad side effects. Then, the consultant put me on Rituximab 10 years ago. I feel much better, have less joint pain. I get itchy skin, especially after a shower, have to take an antihistamine tablet sometimes, headaches, but I cope with all that. It’s worth it. I am thankful for that drug, it really does help."

• Kid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started rituximab infusions 7th and 21st March 2019, no problems then. 6 weeks later, massive skin infection, scratching and itching. Tried self-help with antihistamine and skin cream. Could not contact anyone at Rheumatology, contacted own GP, put on antibiotics and steroid cream. On 11th June, check-up with Rheumatology nurse, now suspect cellulitis, contact own GP as soon as possible. GP prescribed more antibiotics. Now it's 8 weeks on and still scratching. When will this nightmare end? I wish I had never gotten involved with rituximab."

• Kid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started rituximab infusions 7th and 21st March 2019, no problems then. 6 weeks later, massive skin infection, scratching and itching. Tried self-help with antihistamine and skin cream. Could not contact anyone at Rheumatology, contacted own GP, put on antibiotics and steroid cream. On 11th June, check-up with Rheumatology nurse, now suspect cellulitis, contact own GP as soon as possible. GP prescribed more antibiotics. Now it's 8 weeks on and still scratching. When will this nightmare end? I wish I had never gotten involved with rituximab."

• Syd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2013

Rituximab for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I have gone through three rounds of Rituxan for auto-immune hemolytic anemia triggered by early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Each time, I have had initial reactions with the first dose. My throat and ears get itchy, and my throat starts to swell. They give me IV Benadryl and have administered Decadron, slowed down the infusion, and I have done okay. It is a very gradual improvement in my hemoglobin. So slow that I'm not sure it is working, but my doctors believe it is. The only alternative is prednisone, which makes me completely hyper and unable to sleep. Rituxan is the better alternative. Unfortunately, it is not stopping my AIHA, just keeping my hemoglobin up. It is extremely expensive though."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2022

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had my first infusion of Rituxan yesterday. I had RA for 6 years and have never gotten rid of my pain after trying 7 other medications. Had some relief but not enough. My doctor premedicated me with Benadryl, Tylenol, and IV Solumedrol. I started to itch, then burn like anything with pain. It went down the back of my sinuses to my throat and down my esophagus very quickly. This sounds crazy, but she said it was a gastrointestinal side effect and gave me IV Pepcid. It worked. I felt better in 2 minutes and all the symptoms were gone in 20 minutes and never returned. I will need Pepcid during every IV. It is not considered a reaction, but a side effect. Hope this helps someone. I seen others with these symptoms and the doctor gave up on the med. I will add to this review in 6 months and let you know how it worked. Today I feel better with some less pain but not sure if it is the med or the IV steroids that are doing this. Take care and feel better, everyone."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2018

For Immune Thrombocytopenia "Treated for ITP with a high dose of dexamethasone short burst and then 120 mg of prednisone daily for months...platelet counts varied from 9,000 to 60,000, and the side effects of prednisone became unacceptable. Then received rituximab weekly for 4 weeks (4 doses), except for the first initial dose, which caused intense itching (treated with Benadryl and slowing the infusion rate), the treatment was relatively benign. Nineteen months later, my platelets have stabilized at 141,000 (low normal). This treatment is definitely worth a try, with (at least for me) a much better side effect profile than steroids."

• Gin...
• February 6, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Had my first infusion yesterday. It had to be stopped just after an hour and a half due to a rash that developed on my face and spread to my chest and back and severe itching. The doctors took the decision to stop the treatment altogether. Waiting to see my rheumatologist next week to look at options. Have had to stop methotrexate, Enbrel, and Humira due to side effects. Not sure what is left! At 4:40 AM and I have been up since 2 AM with severe itching. The joys of this lovely disease and the side effects of the meds. But can't fault the medical team for their support and efforts."

• dug...
• February 19, 2020

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I feel for Kid in his comments, I too have severe itching of the skin and have been on Rituxan for almost ten years. I am also always cold and feel like my skin is thinning. I told my rummy, but nothing has been done yet."