What is Herceptin?
Herceptin is an anti-cancer medicine that inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells. Herceptin can be used to treat some types of stomach cancer or breast carcinoma. Herceptin is sometimes combined with other cancer medications.When cancer has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body, herceptin may be used.
Side effects of Herceptin
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Herceptin, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.Side effects can occur either during or after the injection. Inform your caregiver immediately if you experience any of the following: nausea, dizziness, itchiness, feeling light-headed, weakness, shortness of breath, headache, fever, or chills.
If you experience:
- Cough that is new or worsening
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- A severe headache can cause blurred vision or a pounding sensation in the neck, ears, or head.
- Blisters or ulcers on your lips, red or swollen gingiva, difficulty swallowing
- Heart problem: rapid weight gain, dizziness, and swelling of your legs;
- Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, and fatigue; skin sores or bruising easily; unusual bleeding on the skin; pale skin with cold hands and feet; or feeling light-headed.
- Signs that tumor cells are breaking down: fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be halted or delayed.
Herceptin may cause side effects such as:
- Heart problems
- Nausea, diarrhea, weight loss;
- Headache;
- Feeling tired, having trouble sleeping;
- Low blood cell count
- Rash;
- Fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
- Mouth sores;
- Changed sense of taste
- Cold symptoms like stuffy nose and sinus pain.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 if experiencing side effects from medications.
Warnings
Herceptin should not be used if you're pregnant. Herceptin could harm your unborn child. Trastuzumab should not be used to conceive for at least seven months following the last dose. Use birth control and inform your doctor if you are pregnant while on treatment.Herceptin may cause heart problems. This is especially true if your heart condition is severe or if certain cancer drugs are being taken.You may experience some side effects during the injection. Inform your caregivers if these symptoms occur: nausea, dizziness, weakness, feeling light-headed or weak, experiencing a headache, having a fever, or chills.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to trastuzumab, herceptin should not be used.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Herceptin will be safe for you:
- Heart disease
- Congestive heart failure;
- A heart attack; or
- Any allergies or breathing problems
Trastuzumab may cause heart failure in patients with heart disease, as well as in those who are taking certain cancer medications (such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, or idarubicin).Before starting the treatment, you may need a negative pregnancy result.Avoid using Herceptin while pregnant. The medicine may cause harm or death to an unborn child. Use birth control during treatment and for 7 months following your last dose. Inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant while on treatment.You may be added to a registry if you become pregnant during treatment or within seven months of stopping it. This will allow you to monitor the effects on your baby.You may not be able to breastfeed if you are taking this medication for up to seven months after the last dose. You should ask your doctor if there is any risk.
Similar/related drugs
Keytruda, Letrozole, Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Capecitabine, Pembrolizumab, and Paclitaxel
How to take Herceptin?
Herceptin can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Herceptin can be given every 1–3 days or once a week. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions.A medical test will be performed by your doctor to ensure that trastuzumab can treat cancer.The infusion may take 90 minutes.It may be necessary to have frequent medical tests in order to ensure that this medication does not have any harmful side effects. The results may delay your cancer treatment.You may be required to have your heart function tested before and after treatment with trastuzumab. Your heart function may need to be tested every six months for two years following your last dose.Herceptin can be given for up to 52 weeks, or until the body stops responding to it.
Details on dosage
Adult dose of Herceptin used for breast cancer:
Use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer
Trastuzumab can be administered alone or with paclitaxel.
Initial dose: IV infusion of 4 mg/kg over 90 minutes.
Treatment: Subsequent treatment: 2 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes, once weekly or until disease progression.
Adult dose of Herceptin—adjuvant:
Dosage and schedule:
1) Starting trastuzumab during and following chemotherapy regimens such as paclitaxel, docetaxel or docetaxel/carboplatin:
Initial dose should be 4 mg/kg infused over 90 minutes IV infusion followed by 2 mg/kg IV over 30 minute infusion weekly during chemotherapy for 12 weeks for either (paclitaxel or docetaxel) or 18 weeks for docetaxel/carboplatin therapy respectively.
(docetaxel or carboplatin).
Subsequent Therapy: One week after the last weekly trastuzumab dose, administer trastuzumab IV as a 6 mg/kg infusion for 30 to 90 minutes every 3 weeks. This will total 52 weeks of treatment.
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2) Start trastuzumab alone within 3 weeks after the completion of all chemotherapies.
Initial dose: 8 mg/kg IV infusion over 90 minutes
Subsequent treatment: 6 mg/kg IV over 30 to 90 minutes every 3 weeks, for a total of 17 doses (52 weeks of therapy).
Adult dose of Herceptin used for Esophageal Carcinoma:
Use in the treatment of metastatic gastric junction or gastroesophageal junction cancer:
Trastuzumab can be administered in combination with capecitabine, cisplatin, or 5-fluorouracil.
Initial Dose of 8 mg/kg IV over 90 minutes.
Treatment: Subsequent treatment: 6 mg/kg IV over 30 to 90 minutes every 3 weeks or until disease progression
Adult dose of Herceptin:
Use in the treatment of metastatic gastric junction or gastroesophageal junction cancer:
Trastuzumab can be administered in combination with capecitabine, cisplatin, or 5-fluorouracil.
Initial dose: 8 mg/kg IV infusion over 90 minutes.
Treatment: Subsequent treatment: 6 mg/kg IV over 30 to 90 minutes every 3 weeks or until disease progression
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your scheduled trastuzumab treatment, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Contact 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning and seek immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Tratuzumab may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
Trastuzumab may have a long-lasting effect on your heart. This is especially true if you are also taking other cancer medications. Tell any doctor you see that you used Herceptin for at least seven months following your last dose.
