Sent to me by email on 28 Feb 2017 from Kolibri Medical:
Treatment with RituxiMab
Who receives the treatment with RituxiMab for ME?
The diagnosis should be informed at a public hospital or with a specialist. There should not be other diseases that can preclude the RituxiMab treatment.
The treatment is based on studies of RituxiMab for ME performed at Haukeland University, hospital in Bergen. The treatment contains two courses of RituxiMab which are given two weeks apart. It is followed by maintenance treatment after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months.
We will have a consultation with a clinical examination and blood test at Kolibri Medical before the treatment can start. If necessary there will also be performed a lumbar puncture. You must bring a copy of your medical records to the consultation. The treatment is not approved by public reimbursement and is experimental. The patient will be informed of the result about 2 weeks after the first examination is completed. You must pay the treatment yourself.
About RituxiMab: RituxiMab is a immune substance that have been used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years.
Side effects about RituxiMab: It is over long time documented safety and side effects for RituxiMab. You can find more about it if you visit
www.felleskatalogen.no. It is described some serious side effects and even casualties using this medication. Serious side effects are rare and are described in severely ill arthritis patients. RituxiMab has not been used long enough in ME-patients that we have been registered a complete side effect profile.
Oue experience is that 75% will experience light reactions as itching, rash, tightness in throat, headache or fever during initial treatment. Side effects disappear when the infusion rate is reduced. Allergic reactions are rare in subsequent treatments. After treatment 25% will notice a transient worsening of symptoms of ME. These usually disappear after 1-2 weeks. You must avoid infections the first weeks after treatment. If you notice any symptoms beyond this, please contact your prime doctor or Kolibri Medical tlf: 52696969.
Before the infusion starts you have to sign a consent form.
Prescription on RituxiMab is submitted electronically and can be retrieved at any pharmacy. The medicine should be kept out of light, it must be well packed and can't be stored at room temperature for more than 8 hours. It is recommended that the medicine is picked up at a local pharmacy the same day or the day before infusion.
It is recommended that you bring a companion to the first treatment.
It is not uncommon with light side effects due to the treatment with the medication. You are continually monitored by a nurse and the doctor is available during the entire treatment. The treatment rarely cause serious side effects. You will be informed of this during the consultation and during treatment. We recommend close contact with your GP or another doctor before and after the treatment to ensure a good follow-up. If it occurs complications you can contact Kolibri Medical.
Prices:
- The first consultation with a specialist cost 5000 NOK [$600]. In addition you have to take blood samples necessary for eventual follow-up examinations.
- The first treatment with RituxiMab costs 8000 NOK [$950] for the infusion. Follow-up with the doctor costs 2300 NOK [$275] and the RituxiMab costs approximately 25 000 NOK [$3000].
- The second treatment with RituxiMab is the same price.
- Further maintenance treatment with RituxiMab costs 5000 NOK for the infusion [$600], follow-up with the doctor costs 2300 NOK [$275] and the RituxiMab costs approximately 12 500 NOK [$1500].
Kolibri Medical November 2015
