For most people, rituxin infusions have minimal side effects. I was a little tired the day after mine (6 in all), but not enough to interfere with anything I had to do.
Your first one will take the longest - five hours or so. You'll be given an IV steroid (usually solu medrol) and an antihistamine before they start rtx. Once they start rtx, they will flow it very slowly. If everything goes well, they'll gradually increase the flow rate. They check your vitals every hour.
Some people have allergic reactions. In such cases, they stop rtx, treat the reaction, and either start again at an even slower rate or abandon the treatment.
Take something to read, some snacks, and some water with you. The infusion center I go to at Ohio State is pleasant. They have personal TVs and free wifi. I take my headphones and stream music through my phone.
You may want to have childcare on standby until you're sure there aren't going to be any issues.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Pete
dx 1/11
"Every day is a good day. Some are better than others." - unknown
"Take your meds as directed and live your life as fully as you can." - Michael Chacey, MD
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