Rituxan dosing, ? Excessive

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Hello forum,

I'm hoping to get some input from the forum on dosing for Rituxan and appreciate any comments on this... I have seen some dosing with rituximab which seems unusual to me or not typical. Is a regimen of rituximab for NHL at 375 mg/m2 x 12 consecutive weeks unusual? If this is used as a standard regimen for NHL patients, would this be alarming to any of you?

This is something I have seen in my administrative role, and prompted me to post this question. I am not hands-on nursing in this area, but this caught my eye; 12 consecutive weeks seems unusual to me. I am concerned about patient safety.

Any comments about this? I greatly appreciate any input, thanks!

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This might answer your question.

http://www.rituxan.com/lymphoma/hcp/index.m

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This might answer your question.

http://www.rituxan.com/lymphoma/hcp/index.m

Thanks for the link. I had checked that previously, and this is why the 12 weeks concerns me. It is approved for 4 weeks (8 weeks under special circumstances), but this is the first time I have seen it given 12 weeks consecutively on a routine basis. It goes against what I have read about and dosing recommendations.

Has anyone seen Rituxan given like this before? Thanks!

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Just hoping to get some more comments on whether anyone has seen Rituxan prescribed for NHL for 12 consecutive weeks at 375 mg/m2 before?

I am seeing this and am concerned about patient safety. Some strange things are happening that are really concerning me. This is being done as a routine regimen for NHL patients.

I appreciate any comments or opinions on this, thanks!

Bea56

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I have not seen 12 weeks. Can't you ask your Dr. and or Pharmacist? I hope that you have that kind of open communication as it is paramount for patient safety. The question needs to be asked for your own education not necessarily a doubt in orders. Questioning is a good thing!

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I have not seen 12 weeks. Can't you ask your Dr. and or Pharmacist? I hope that you have that kind of open communication as it is paramount for patient safety. The question needs to be asked for your own education not necessarily a doubt in orders. Questioning is a good thing!

Thanks for the reply. I am very concerned about this prescribing pattern of Rituxan. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that can be discussed with the physician, he is not accepting of open discussion.

It is helpful to get some input from other nurses in the field, and I have to make a decision on how to address the issue. I am concerned about the safety of these patients. THanks again.

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Specializes in Med/surg and Oncology.

Can you ask a drug reb? Next time there at my center Ill ask. Or I can ask my pharmacist. My center is very open. We are always asking the docs questions. Everyone needs back up checks.

The 375/m2 sounds fine. We usually do 8 weeks. When are the pts scans ect. ordered, because they'll want to check that its working. Is the pt receiving chemo too? Rituxan in its self is not really toxic. Are the pts tolerating 12 weeks?

Ill have to see what are NHL get exactly. We are a small center so we see all types of ca.

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Specializes in med-surg; peds; case management.
Thanks for the reply. I am very concerned about this prescribing pattern of Rituxan. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that can be discussed with the physician, he is not accepting of open discussion.

It is helpful to get some input from other nurses in the field, and I have to make a decision on how to address the issue. I am concerned about the safety of these patients. THanks again.

Is the Rituxan being administeredunder a clinical trial?

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Can you ask a drug reb? Next time there at my center Ill ask. Or I can ask my pharmacist. My center is very open. We are always asking the docs questions. Everyone needs back up checks.

The 375/m2 sounds fine. We usually do 8 weeks. When are the pts scans ect. ordered, because they'll want to check that its working. Is the pt receiving chemo too? Rituxan in its self is not really toxic. Are the pts tolerating 12 weeks?

Ill have to see what are NHL get exactly. We are a small center so we see all types of ca.

From what I am seeing, the patients are not tolerating well. However, I am in an administrative role. I want to confirm that I am not making a judgement error and that this is not typical. Thanks for your input. Any other comments are appreciated.

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Is the Rituxan being administeredunder a clinical trial?

This is not a clinical trial, this is his clinical decision making to give for 12 weeks. Thanks for the input.

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