Does Rituxan (Rituximab) make your hair fall out

mrtester1959 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009

I have been getting Rituxan (Rituximab) infusions since 2007. I get 4 infusions per year. I do not have cancer, so I am not on any other chemotherapy treatments and I have been taking my normal medications since 2006 without problems. In the past, my treatments would infuse over a period of time and the two weeks would come with nausea, slight "dead" hair loss, and flu-like symptoms... However, this past treatment (November 3rd, 2009) was the worst treatment ever. I have lost weight, my hair is coming out in CLUMPS, not dead strands.. I can run my finger through my hair with little to no effort and a clump of hair will fall out. I awake to hair all over my pillow and bedding and notice hairs on my clothing towards the end of the day. I have also been the most sick ever from this infusion.

Is this normal? I have bald patches on my head with exposed scalp and my hair which was beautifully thick is thinning out? Also, my eyebrows are becoming sparse and are thinning out without even plucking them.

I have tried contacting my physicians but I havent had a response in 4 days and I'm becoming concerned...

trevor · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009

no because if you loose your hair you have cancer but if you dont than it is a different kind of cancer

tinmuning · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009

There are quite a number of patients who had Rituxan infusions & experienced hair loss. It may be due to the drug but if you check the side effects of the drug per se, hair loss or alopecia is not listed.