Zestmab 500mg injection contains the active constituent rituximab. It is used for several different disease conditions in adults. It is used alone or with other medications to treat non-hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer affecting white blood cells called B-lymphocytes) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a most common form of cancer that affects B-cells). It is also indicated to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (a type of disease where the immune system attacks the leukapheresis body cells of its own joints) in combination with methotrexate in adults. Other uses include granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis (inflammation of blood vessels that mainly affects the lungs and kidneys) in adults and children 2 years of age and older. It is also used to treat moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris (an autoimmune condition that causes painful blisters on the skin and lining of the mouth, throat, nose, and genitals.
Zestmab 500mg injection belongs to the class of medications called anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Do not take this injection if you are allergic to rituximab or any other ingredients of this medicine, have a weak immune system, or have any severe active infection. Inform your physician if you have heart disease, heart failure, or breathing problems before initiating the treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have ever had a hepatitis B infection because the infection may reactivate again in a few cases and can be severe sometimes. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not recommended when you are taking this injection.
Common side effects of Zestmab 500mg injection include infection of the blood, reduced red blood cells, dizziness, swelling in the face and body, itchy skin, diarrhea, increased sweating, and low or high blood pressure. Use effective contraceptives during the treatment and 12 months after the last dose if you can get pregnant. This medicine may cause severe infusion reactions during or within 24 hours after administration. Inform your physician or healthcare professional if you face any infusion reactions, such as increased blood pressure, chest pain, headache, breathing difficulties, vomiting, skin rashes, or throat swelling.
Uses of Zestmab 500mg InjectionNon-hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)Rheumatoid ArthritisGranulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitisPemphigus vulgaris Therapeutic Effects of Zestmab 500mg Injection
Zestmab 500mg injection is a monoclonal antibody that targets the antigen CD20 expressed on the cell surface of B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells). When this medicine binds to the B-cell, it induces cell death in NHL and CLL. The binding action blocks cell activation and growth and cause anticancer effects. It inhibits rheumatoid factor production, antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and proinflammatory cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis. Interaction of Zestmab 500mg Injection with other drugsInform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking medicines for blood pressure or other heart conditions. Certain medications may interact with Zestmab 500mg injection and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. More Information about Zestmab 500mg Injection Store Zestmab 500mg injection in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C)Do not freezekeep the injection away from the reach of children and pets.If you have missed any dosing appointments, inform your doctor and schedule immediately.How to consume Zestmab 500mg InjectionIt should only be administered by a trained doctor or nurse. Do not self-administer the injection. Before giving Zestmab 500mg injection, you will be given other medications (pre-medication) to reduce the possible side effects. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of your treatment based on the disease severity and other factors. It will be given as an intravenous infusion, and you will be monitored carefully for any unwanted side effects. Safety Advices for Zestmab 500mg Injection
Pregnancy
Zestmab 500mg injection is unsafe to administer in pregnant women because it may affect the fetus. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant. Using an effective birth control method during the treatment and for 12 months after your last dose is necessary.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Zestmab 500mg injection because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Zestmab 500mg injection can be used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Whether Zestmab 500mg injection can be used in patients with liver impairment is unknown. Consult your doctor if you have or ever had liver disease or hepatitis B infection before starting the treatment. The reactivation of hepatitis viral infection can cause severe liver problems.
Alcohol
Consuming alcohol may affect the effectiveness of Zestmab 500mg injection. Stop consuming alcohol if you are taking this medicine.
Driving
Caution is required while driving and operating machinery when you take Zestmab 500mg injection because it may cause dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, and risk of falling.
Side Effects of Zestmab 500mg InjectionSide effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. Common
- Swelling in the face and body
- Diarrhea and nausea
- Itchy skin
- Anemia
- Muscle spasm
- Headache
- Urinary tract infection
- Fever, chills, and shivering
- Inflammation of nasal cavities
- Cough, sore throat
- Loss of hair
Serious
- Increased or decreased blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Hepatitis B viral infection
- Memory loss, trouble thinking, difficulty in walking
Word of AdviceAvoid vaccines before and during therapy. Inform your physician if you have been vaccinated recently because Zestmab 500mg injection may cause drug-induced immunosuppression. Report to your doctor immediately if you face any symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, stomach pain, and skin reactions. There is limited information available on the safety of this medicine in renal failure patients; inform your physician if you have kidney disease. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended before or during the treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Inform your healthcare professional if you have any active infection during the treatment. FAQs Q 1. What are the special precautions I should be aware of before starting treatment with Zestmab 500mg injection?Inform your doctor about your pre-existing conditions (heart, kidney, liver, hepatitis B, or lung disease) and vaccination history. It is necessary to consult a doctor if you are taking medicines for blood pressure.
Q 2. What are Zestmab 500mg infusion-related reactions?Infusion reactions occur during or within 24 hours after administering Zestmab 500mg injection. The symptoms are fever, chills, cough, itchy skin, nausea, vomity, flushing, increased heart rate, and discomfort in the throat. Inform your physician immediately if you face any infusion-related reaction.
Q 3. What will be the most important thing to monitor during Zestmab 500mg injection?Your healthcare professional will monitor you carefully for unwanted side effects during the Zestmab 500mg injection. You will be monitored for heart failure, increased blood pressure, or breathing failure.
Q 4. Is weight gain a side effect of Zestmab 500mg injection?Weight gain has been reported in patients treated with Zestmab 500mg injection for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Q 5. Does Zestmab 500mg injection suppress the immune system?Yes, can suppress the immune system, and the chances of catching an infection are high. Inform your doctor if you have a severe active infection before taking Zestmab 500mg injection because it may cause drug-induced immunosuppression.
Fact Box of Zestmab 500mg InjectionMolecule name: Rituximab | Therapeutic class: 1. Antineoplastics 2. DMARDs |
Pharmacological class: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies
| Indications: 1. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 2. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 3. Rheumatoid Arthritis 4. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis 5. Pemphigus vulgaris |
