What is Herzuma?
Herzuma can be used to treat some types of breast cancer and stomach cancer. It is sometimes combined with other cancer medications.When cancer has spread (metastatically) to other parts of your body, heart surgery may be used.This medication guide does not list all uses of Herzuma.
Side effects of Herzuma
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.Some side effects can occur immediately after the injection or even during it. You should tell your caregiver if you are feeling dizzy, nauseated, or light-headed.
Herzuma may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- The cough is new or getting worse.
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- A severe headache can cause blurred vision or pounding in the neck and ears.
- Blisters or ulcers on your lips, red or swollen gingiva, difficulty swallowing
- Heart problems: rapid weight gain, dizziness, and swelling of the lower legs.
- Low blood cell counts can be accompanied by fever, chills, and fatigue, as well as skin sores. Other symptoms include pale skin, cold feet and hands, or feeling lightheaded.
- Tissue cell breakdown symptoms include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well as fast or slow heart rates as well as tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be delayed or discontinued permanently.
Some of the common side effects associated with heart disease include:
- Heart problems
- Nausea, diarrhea, weight loss;
- Headache;
- Feeling tired, having trouble sleeping;
- Low blood cell count
- Rash;
- Infections can cause fever, chills, or coughs.
- 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.
Similar/related drugs
Keytruda, letrozole, Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Paclitaxel, Femara, and Xeloda
Warnings
Do not use this product if pregnant.Herzuma may cause cardiac failure. This is especially true if you already have cardiovascular disease and/or are taking certain cancer medications.Side effects can occur after the injection. Inform your caregivers of any symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, feeling light-headed or weak, a headache, or fever.
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Heart disease
- Congestive heart failure;
- A heart attack;
- Allergies or breathing problems
Herzuma may cause heart failure if it is combined with certain cancer drugs (such as Daunorubicin, Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, or Idarubicin).Before starting the treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test.Do not use Herzuma while pregnant. Herzuma may cause harm or death to an unborn child. Use birth control while taking this medication and for 7 months following your last dose. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.You may find your name on a registry if you fall pregnant while taking Herzuma or within seven months of stopping the medication. This is to monitor the effects on the 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.
How to take Herzuma?
Your doctor will conduct a test to ensure that Herzuma is the best medicine for treating your cancer.Herzuma can be injected into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Herzuma can be given every week, or once every 1 to 3 days. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions.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 need to have your heart function tested before and after treatment with Herzuma. It is possible that you will need to have your heart function tested every six months for two years following the last dose.Herzuma can be given for up to 52 weeks, or until the body stops responding to it.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your Herzuma appointment, call your doctor and ask for directions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect a poison exposure and for immediate medical advice.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also affect Herzuma. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you have started or stopped using.Herzuma may have a long-lasting effect on your heart, particularly if you are also taking other cancer medications. Tell any doctor that treats you, for at least seven months after the last dose of trastuzumab you received, that you used Herzuma.
