Rituximab and systemic lupus erythematosus
admin December 19th, 2006
The FDA have posted information about some fatal cases of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with rituximab:
Two patients died after being treated with Rituxan for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Rituxan is approved for the above indication and is prescribed off-label for other serious diseases and conditions such as SLE. The cause of death was a viral infection of the brain called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) that is caused by reactivated JC virus which is present in about 80 percent of adults. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for the development of PML in patients under treatment with Rituxan.
- FDA
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