MabThera - Physicians Area of MabThera for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Select a dilemma:

Which of my RA patients are suitable for treatment with rituximab?

• What screening should be carried out for patients before they are given rituximab?
• Can rituximab be used in patients who have experienced lack of efficacy with 1 TNF inhibitor?
• Can rituximab be used in women of childbearing age?
• Can rituximab be used in patients with radiographic evidence of joint damage?
• Can rituximab be used in patients over 65 years of age?
• Can rituximab be used in patients with other conditions in addition to their RA?
• Can rituximab be used in patients that are rheumatoid factor negative?

What treatment regimen of rituximab should I use for my RA patients?

• What is the recommended dosage of rituximab?
• What premedication is required prior to receiving rituximab treatment?
• What concurrent medication can be used in patients receiving rituximab treatment?

Should I expect any untoward reactions in my RA patients being treated with rituximab infusion?

• What are the possible reactions to the rituximab infusions?
• How can the risk of infusion reactions be minimised?
• How do I manage an infusion reaction?
• If a patient experiences an infusion reaction during the first infusion of rituximab, what will happen during subsequent infusions?

What response can we expect when treating my RA patients with rituximab?

• What clinical response should I expect to observe after a course of rituximab?
• When do I evaluate a response to a course of rituximab?
• Should my patient expect a change in quality of life or fatigue?
• What is the duration of response after a single course of rituximab?
What about subsequent courses of rituximab for my RA patients?
• When should subsequent courses of rituximab be given?
• What is the efficacy of subsequent courses of rituximab?
• How safe is it to receive repeat courses of rituximab?
Can rituximab be used in RA patients in special medical circumstances?
• Can rituximab be used in patients requiring vaccination?
• How safe is rituximab in patients who have been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis in the past?
• What is the risk of reactivation of tuberculosis in a patient receiving rituximab treatment?