Herceptin

Pronunciation: tras-TOOZ-oo-mab
Generic Name: Trastuzumab
Brand Name: Herceptin

Use of Herceptin may lead to serious heart problems, including heart failure. The risk may be greater in patients who use anthracyclines (eg, doxorubicin) with Herceptin. Your doctor will perform heart function tests before you start Herceptin and periodically while you use it. Contact your doctor right away if you develop signs of heart problems, such as chest pain; irregular heartbeat; persistent cough; sudden, unexplained weight gain; or swelling of the ankles or legs.

Some patients have experienced serious and sometimes fatal infusion reactions and lung problems with Herceptin. This usually occurred during administration of the medicine or within 24 hours after the dose. Tell your doctor right away if you develop swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; new or worsening shortness of breath; or trouble breathing.

Herceptin is used for:

Treating certain types of breast cancer alone or in combination with other medicines. It is also used in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of stomach or gastroesophageal junction (where the esophagus meets the stomach) cancer in certain patients.

Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody. It works by targeting certain tumor cells and stopping them from growing and reproducing.

Do NOT use Herceptin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Herceptin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Herceptin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Herceptin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a reaction (eg, rash; hives; itching; difficult breathing; shortness of breath; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; wheezing) to a previous dose of Herceptin


• if you have a history of breathing or lung problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, chronic infections, or low red or white blood cell counts


• if you have received radiation treatment

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Herceptin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anthracyclines (eg, doxorubicin) or antineoplastic agents (eg, cyclophosphamide) because the risk of heart problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Herceptin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Herceptin:

Use Herceptin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Herceptin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• Do not use Herceptin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Herceptin, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Herceptin.

Important safety information:

• Herceptin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Herceptin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Herceptin may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Some patients may experience an infusion reaction with Herceptin. This usually happens while receiving the medicine or within 24 hours after a dose. Symptoms may include chills, fever, dizziness, headache, pain (sometimes at tumor sites), nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines (eg, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine) to help treat or reduce the risk of these effects. Tell your doctor if you notice these or other unusual effects while you use Herceptin.


• A more severe infusion reaction may sometimes occur with Herceptin. Tell your doctor right away if you notice new or worsening shortness of breath; trouble breathing; rash; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; or weakness.


• Herceptin may cause serious and sometimes fatal lung problems. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you experience chest pain or new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing.


• Herceptin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Herceptin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Herceptin. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• If you may become pregnant, you must use an effective form of birth control while you use Herceptin and for at least 6 months after you stop using it. If you have questions about effective birth control, talk with your doctor.


• Lab tests, including heart function and HER2 protein testing, may be performed while you use Herceptin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Herceptin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially heart problems.


• Use Herceptin with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Herceptin may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Herceptin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Herceptin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Herceptin.

Possible side effects of Herceptin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; change in taste; diarrhea; dizziness; fingernail or toenail changes; headache; loss of appetite; muscle, bone, or joint pain; mild fever or chills; nausea; nose, sinus, or throat inflammation; runny nose; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling sensation; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; difficult or painful urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; pain, swelling, or sores of the mouth or tongue; severe or persistent dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; skin infection (eg, skin discharge, redness, swelling, or warmth); sore throat; sudden, unexplained weight gain (eg, more than 5 pounds in 24 hours); swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, severe or persistent fever, chills, sore throat); trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding (eg, nosebleed); unusual calf or leg pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Herceptin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Herceptin:

Herceptin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Herceptin at home, store Herceptin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Herceptin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Herceptin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Herceptin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Herceptin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Herceptin resources

• Herceptin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Herceptin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Herceptin Drug Interactions
• Herceptin Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Herceptin - Add your own review/rating

• Herceptin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Herceptin Consumer Overview


• Herceptin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Herceptin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Trastuzumab Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Herceptin with other medications

• Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer, Adjuvant
• Breast Cancer, Metastatic
• Esophageal Carcinoma
• Gastric Cancer
• Salivary Gland Cancer