Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Rituxan: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Some side effects may occur during the injection (or within 24 hours afterward). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel itchy, dizzy, weak, light-headed, short of breath, or if you have a rash or hives, chest pain, wheezing, sudden cough, or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest.
Rituximab may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms (which may start gradually and get worse quickly):
confusion, memory problems, or other changes in your mental state;
weakness on one side of your body;
vision changes; or
problems with speech or walking.
Rituxan can lead to other serious side effects including infections, heart attacks or other heart problems, kidney failure, and intestinal blockage and/or damage. Talk to your doctor about your risk.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other side effects, even if they occur several months after you receive Rituxan, or after your treatment ends.
painful skin or mouth sores, or a severe skin rash with blistering, peeling, or pus;
redness, warmth, or swelling of the skin;
severe stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, bloody or tarry stools;
irregular heartbeats, chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
tiredness or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
signs of infection - fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, cough, sore throat, mouth sores, headache, earache, pain or burning when you urinate; or
signs of tumor cell breakdown - confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate, decreased urination, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.
Common Rituxan side effects may include:
low white and red blood cells (fever, chills, body aches, pale skin, unusual tiredness, infections);
nausea, diarrhea;
swelling in your hands or feet;
headache, weakness;
painful urination;
muscle spasms;
depressed mood; or
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
 Rituxan side effects (more detail)
