home > drugs a-z list > bexxar (tositumomab and iodine 1131 tositumomab) drug center > bexxar (tositumomab and iodine 1131 tositumomab) drug - patient avoid while taking

In this Article

• What is tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• What are the possible side effects of tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• What is the most important information I should know about tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• How is tositumomab given (Bexxar)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Bexxar)?
• What happens if I overdose (Bexxar)?
• What should I avoid after receiving tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• What other drugs will affect tositumomab (Bexxar)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Bexxar)?

Since tositumomab is given in a controlled setting by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose (Bexxar)?

An overdose of this medication is very unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving tositumomab (Bexxar)?

To protect yourself from infection, avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine just after you receive tositumomab. Ask your doctor how long after your treatment you should wait before receiving any vaccines.

Avoid sports or activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use a soft toothbrush to keep your gums from bleeding. Take extra care not to cut yourself while shaving.

Avoid handling any of your body fluids without wearing latex rubber gloves. If another person is handling your fluids (vomit, stools, or urine), they should wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask to cover the nose and mouth.

When cleaning any spills of bodily fluid, use only disposable cleaning cloths that can be flushed down a toilet. Ask your doctor or health department how to dispose of any bodily fluid spills that cannot be flushed down a toilet.

To protect others from exposure to the radioactive matter in your body, try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people, especially children or pregnant women. Follow these steps for several days after your tositumomab treatment ends:

• Avoid crowds and public places.
• Avoid traveling on long trips.
• Do not share a bed or bathroom with another person.
• Sit on the toilet while urinating and flush 3 times with the lid down after use.
• Always wash your hands after using the bathroom.
• Do not share a towel, wash cloth, or toothbrush with another person.
• Do not share drinking glasses, plates, or silverware.
• Wait at least 1 week before washing any of the clothing and bed or bath linens you have used during the week after your treatment. Keep these items separate from the laundry of other people in your home.
• Wash your clothing and other items separately from other laundry in your home.

What other drugs will affect tositumomab (Bexxar)?

Before you are treated with tositumomab, tell your doctor if you have recently taken:

• aspirin;
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
• medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with tositumomab. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication shortly after you receive tositumomab without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about tositumomab.

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