Rituxan and Alcohol Interaction
Rituxan and Alcohol
Rituxan generic name rituximab belongs to a family of drugs that work as a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slow their growth and spread in the body. It is used with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is also used in combination with another drug called methotrextate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.
It may also be used with steroid drugs to treat certain rare disorders that cause inflammation of the blood vessels.
It is suggested that patients do not consume alcohol even moderate drinking while using this drug as the side effects may be greatly affected.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. If anything more than that it is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
Before using this advise your doctor if you are allergic to any other drug or substance, if you are using dietary or herbal supplements, are pregnant, plan to be or are breastfeeding, have liver disease, hepatitis B, are a carrier of hepatitis B, kidney disease, systematic lupus, erythematosus, weak immune system, history of heart disease, angina, heart rhythm disorder, recent active infection, herpes, shingles, cytomegalovirus, chicken pox, West Nile virus, hepatitis C or any recurring infection.
Side Effects
Less serious side effects are pain at IV needle site, mild stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, swelling in hands or feet, muscle or joint pain or night sweats. If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects are severe allergic reactions such as hives difficult breathing, tight chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, black bloody stools, changes in urination, chest pain, confusion, dark urine, depression, fainting, fast irregular heartbeat, fever, chills, sore throat, loss of appetite, mental or mood changes, numb arm or leg, one side weakness, pale stools, red swollen blistered peeling skin, ringing in ears, seizures, severe headache or dizziness, severe persistent stomach pain or nausea, severe vomiting, short of breath, weight gain, swelling of hands, legs or feet, bruising or bleeding, joint or muscle pain, tired or weak, vision or speech problems, granular vomit or jaundice. If these occur get emergency medical help.
This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.
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