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I Have Been Diagnosed With Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia . My
Question: I have been diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. My doc has recommended treatment with Rituxan, a drug usually prescribed for lymphoma cancer. Medicare has not approved Rituxan to treat my condition and the usual course of four infusions would be out of pocket to me of about $25,000. Help! Any recommendation?
Brief Answer:
it wont be approved soon
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
I am afraid that Rituxan wont be approved so soon for benign hematologic diseases such as hemolytic anemia since this is generally expensive drug and used mainly in oncologic patients. Hemolytic anemia is not life threatening disease and this is why it cant be regular medication for it. YOu have always option with corticosteroids, eritropoetin and Mycophenolate for stabile disease. ANd if it becomes bad, RBC tranfusions and splenectomy may be indicated. I am not sure if Rituxan is worth of paying so much, but you should discuss details with your hematologist. WIsh you good health. Regards
it wont be approved soon
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
I am afraid that Rituxan wont be approved so soon for benign hematologic diseases such as hemolytic anemia since this is generally expensive drug and used mainly in oncologic patients. Hemolytic anemia is not life threatening disease and this is why it cant be regular medication for it. YOu have always option with corticosteroids, eritropoetin and Mycophenolate for stabile disease. ANd if it becomes bad, RBC tranfusions and splenectomy may be indicated. I am not sure if Rituxan is worth of paying so much, but you should discuss details with your hematologist. WIsh you good health. Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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