Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: trastuzumab, injection; Herceptin
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat certain types of breast or stomach cancer when other anticancer medicines are not effective. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you have recently had chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Also tell your provider if you have any kind of infection.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping it. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. 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.
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 healthcare provider's office or at a clinic. Be sure to keep all appointments for these infusions.
This medicine can cause severe allergic reactions. Usually this reaction occurs within 24 hours of receiving treatment, but it may occur days after treatment. Get emergency medical care or call 911 for help if you develop hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; or swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat.
This medicine can cause heart damage. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you wake up at night with shortness of breath or trouble breathing; have swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, or any unexplained swelling; or have an unexplained fever.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
During the first infusion of this medicine, you may develop chills or a fever. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to treat these symptoms.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at increased risk for side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
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 healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare 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 healthcare provider right away): Waking up at night with shortness of breath or trouble breathing; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, or any unexplained swelling; unexplained fever; severe tiredness or weakness; cough; fast heartbeat.
Other: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache.
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 healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare 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 healthcare 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.
