Health Center

Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley

Drugs that are not chemotherapy

Trastuzumab injection

What does trastuzumab injection do?

Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a monoclonal antibody. A monoclonal antibody is a protein that reacts with a specific site on a cell. Trastuzumab targets a protein called HER2. This protein is found on the surface of some types of cancer cells including prostate cancer and 25-30% of breast cancer cells. Trastuzumab works by interfering with how these tumor cells grow and causes these cells to die. Generic trastuzumab injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive trastuzumab?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

·breathing problems

·bleeding problems

·blood disorders

·chest pain

·heart disease or heart failure

·infection (especially virus infections such as chickenpox or herpes)

·prior treatment with radiation therapy or cyclophosphamide doxorubicin, epirubicin or mitoxantrone

·lung disease

·an unusual or allergic reaction to trastuzumab, benzyl alcohol, or other medications, foods, dyes or preservatives

·pregnant or trying to get pregnant

·breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Trastuzumab is for infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional. Continue a regular schedule of doses, usually given as a weekly infusion.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or other health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What other medicines can interact with trastuzumab?

·adriamycin
·warfarin

·other chemotherapy agents, especially cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, may increase some of the side effects due to trastuzumab

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving trastuzumab?

The side effects you may experience with trastuzumab therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or other health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

·difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·feeling lightheaded or dizziness upon standing

·swelling of ankles or legs

·shortness of breath

·swelling or tightening of the throat or tongue

·wheezing

More common:

·chills

·fever

·rash or hives

·nausea and/or vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or other health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

·loss of appetite

·diarrhea

·sore throat

·headache

·itching

·muscle aches

·tingling of fingers or toes

·pain

·dizziness

·runny nose

·stomach pain

·nasal congestion

·unusual tiredness or weakness

What do I need to watch for while I receive trastuzumab?

Visit your prescriber or healthcare professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks if you receive trastuzumab with chemotherapy. The side effects of trastuzumab can occur after you finish your infusion; report any side effects promptly, especially any difficulties in breathing, feeling lightheaded, hives, or other signs of an allergic reaction.

If you receive trastuzumab and chemotherapy together, you may have an increased number of side effects due to the chemotherapy. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose; do not treat yourself.

You may experience fever, chills and shakes during your first infusion of trastuzumab. These effects are usually mild and can be treated with medicines. Report any reactions that occur during the infusion to your health care professional. These effects usually do not happen with later infusions.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Trastuzumab is administered in a hospital or clinic setting by an appropriate healthcare professional. The medication will be in a bag of fluid and will be given to you through an IV catheter.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

[ Revised 10/17/00]

This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.

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