1. What is Rituximab?

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody medication used to treat certain autoimmune diseases and types of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The standard dosing regimen is typically 375 mg/m² body surface area.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard Rituximab dosing formula:

Where:

• 375 — Standard dose per square meter (mg/m²)
• BSA — Body surface area in square meters (m²)

Explanation: The calculation provides the total dose in milligrams based on the patient's body surface area.

3. Importance of Correct Dosing

Details: Accurate dosing is crucial for achieving therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects. Dosing based on BSA helps account for differences in patient size.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the patient's body surface area in m². The value must be valid (BSA > 0). The calculator will compute the appropriate Rituximab dose.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is BSA typically calculated?
A: BSA is commonly calculated using the Mosteller formula: √(height in cm × weight in kg / 3600).

Q2: Are there different dosing regimens for Rituximab?
A: Yes, some protocols use fixed dosing (e.g., 1400mg) rather than BSA-based dosing. Always follow the specific protocol for the condition being treated.

Q3: What is the typical infusion schedule?
A: For lymphoma, it's often weekly for 4-8 doses. For autoimmune diseases, it may be given as two 1000mg doses two weeks apart.

Q4: Are there dose adjustments needed for renal impairment?
A: No significant dose adjustments are typically needed for renal impairment as Rituximab is not primarily renally cleared.

Q5: What are common side effects of Rituximab?
A: Infusion reactions, infections, fatigue, and low blood cell counts are common. More serious side effects can include progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).