Herceptin

Generic Name: trastuzumab (tras TOO zoo mab)
Brand Names: Herceptin

What is Herceptin?

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Herceptin is a cancer medication (monoclonal antibody). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in your body.

Herceptin is used to treat metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with other chemotherapy. It may be used along with other medicines.

Herceptin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Herceptin

Do not use Herceptin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before receiving Herceptin, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, a history of heart attack, or any allergies or breathing problems. You may not be able to receive Herceptin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Some people receiving a Herceptin injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, weak, itchy, or short of breath during the injection.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving Herceptin?

Before using Herceptin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease;
congestive heart failure;
a history of heart attack; or
any allergies or breathing problems.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive Herceptin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. Herceptin can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use Herceptin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

If you are pregnant, your name may need to be listed on a Cancer and Childbirth registry when you start using this medication.

It is not known whether Herceptin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is Herceptin given?

Herceptin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 90 minutes to complete.

Before you receive this medication, you may need to undergo a biopsy to make sure Herceptin is the right medication to treat your cancer.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your heart function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Herceptin is usually given once every 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Herceptin overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while receiving Herceptin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Herceptin.

Herceptin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
fast or pounding heartbeats;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
cough or wheezing;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious Herceptin side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
sore throat, sinus pain;
joint or muscle pain, back pain;
headache; or
tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Herceptin?

There may be other drugs that can affect Herceptin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Herceptin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.