Trastuzumab, Injection
What are other names for this medicine?
Generic and brand names: trastuzumab, injection; Herceptin
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat certain types of breast cancer that may be spreading.
What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:
- heart disease
- lung problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to any medicine, food, preservative, or dye.
Tell your health care provider about any other chemotherapy medicines you have taken.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed a baby during treatment with this medicine and for 6 months after your last dose because it may harm the baby.
How do I use it?
You will receive your first dose over a period of 90 minutes. If you tolerate this dose, you will receive smaller doses over a period of 30 minutes once a week. You may be given these infusions in your health care provider's office or at a clinic. Be sure to keep all appointments for these infusions.
What should I watch out for?
During the first infusion of this medicine, you may develop chills or a fever. Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to treat these symptoms.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed a baby during treatment with this medicine and for 6 months after your last dose because it may harm the baby.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Waking up at night with shortness of breath or trouble breathing; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs; infections.
Other: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, rash, cough, skin rash, chills, headache.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:
- anthracyclines such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and daunorubicin (Cerubidine)
- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- paclitaxel (Taxol)
- warfarin (Coumadin).
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
