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kmac14
11-12-2014, 06:26 AM
Hi, I have been reading a lot of posts which mention Ritixumab. This is a drug that I have not come across before and it seems that it is somehow related to lung and stenosis issues in particular? I do have stenoses but have had these issues for a long time. Scarring rather than active wegeners is my problem. I never ever had another flare since my initial one which was left up diagnosed for so long. Is ritixumab an immunosuppressant? Can someone shed some light? Anyone else here only had the one initial attack and then no further flares?

JeanMarie
11-12-2014, 07:14 AM
Hi Kmac,
Rituximab is a very strong immunosuppressant, & I don't think any doc would recommend it unless you are in the middle of a full fledged flare. Its use is not limited to lung issues or stenosis. (You can have subglottic stenosis without active GPA) The manufacturer has very good info for patients here: Rituxan GPA & MPA Patient (http://www.rituxanforgpampa.com/patient)

Wonderful that you've never had a flare!!!

kmac14
11-12-2014, 07:49 AM
Ah I see, thanks for the info, JeanMarie. I am on immunosuppression for renal tx and have been a long time. I notice here that some are fully taken off the immunosuppression when wegeners is in remission?i have never since that initial attack been completely free of immunosuppression. One doc told me that 1/3 of wegeners people only do have the one initial attack and nothing further. He was not a specialist though.