trastuzumab
Generic Name: trastuzumab (injectable) (tras TOO zoo mab)
Brand names: Herceptin
What is trastuzumab?
Feedback for trastuzumab
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Trastuzumab is a cancer medication. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in your body.
Trastuzumab is used to treat breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with other chemotherapy.
Trastuzumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about trastuzumab?
Before receiving this medication, 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 trastuzumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Some people receiving a trastuzumab 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 trastuzumab?
Before using trastuzumab, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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heart disease;
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congestive heart failure;
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a history of heart attack; or
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any allergies or breathing problems.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive trastuzumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether trastuzumab 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 trastuzumab given?
Trastuzumab 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 trastuzumab 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.
Trastuzumab 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 trastuzumab injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a trastuzumab overdose are unknown.What should I avoid while taking trastuzumab?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are receiving trastuzumab unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Trastuzumab side effects
Some people receiving a trastuzumab 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.
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;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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cough or wheezing;
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white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
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headache; or
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tired feeling.
What other drugs will affect trastuzumab?
There may be other drugs that can affect trastuzumab. 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 has information about trastuzumab written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Trastuzumab is available with a prescription under the brand name Herceptin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- 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.
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More trastuzumab resources:
Trastuzumab - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer -- Adjuvant
