Herceptin User Reviews & Ratings

• LuC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2013

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Herceptin is a lifesaver for those of us that are HER2. I took it every 3 weeks for 52 weeks. You will need a TET done on your heart before you start and Benadryl before infusion, but I had no side effects. I did take it with Taxol for 12 weeks. Lifesaver!"

• its...
• January 24, 2010

For Breast Cancer "I did 7 months of treatment, then my oncologist had to take me off due to congestive heart failure. I personally don't think Herceptin contributed to it at all, but I was told it was the combo of it and Adriamycin. It was pretty bad, my ejection fraction was down to 28. I was so short of breath that just walking to the bathroom was a real effort. The fatigue was the mind-numbing kind that just turning over in bed felt like I had run a race. As for side effects of the Herceptin, I had frequent nosebleeds, mild nausea, and occasional headaches. I would have gladly endured any side effects for the benefits of this life-saving drug. I am so thankful to Dr. Slamon for all the work he did and to Genentech. I am a 4-year survivor, so I think that says it all."

• sur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I was given Herceptin every three weeks for a year. The first 18 weeks were with Carboplatin and Taxotere. I had very mild side effects, nothing that I couldn't handle except maybe chemo brain, which still seems to bother me. I went into chemo with the idea that the medicine they were to give me would fight the cancer cells and I would come out the winner, and I did. I had chemo first, followed by bilateral mastectomy and radiation, continuing with Herceptin. If I hadn't had the chemo, I am sure I would have suffered more and would be dead by now. I thank all my team, the hospital staff, all the women and men who had gone before me enduring cancer, and all who follow me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "These medicines saved my life and continue to keep me cancer-free for over 3 years. Thank goodness for the scientists for these targeted therapy drugs (Herceptin and Perjeta) that focus on the bad cells with minimal side effects, which allows for a pretty good quality of life in spite of cancer. If only the cost would be more affordable."

• Jet...
• June 30, 2009

For Salivary Gland Cancer "My husband has been on Herceptin for his salivary gland cancer for 2 years. The fight to keep him on it has been harrowing as it is only formally approved for breast cancer. I truly believe it saved his life. He tested HER-2/neu positive (3), which is normally located in the breast. Dr. Posner (Dana-Farber in Boston) recommended a course of treatment that included Herceptin. His PET scans have now been clear, and treatment can stop at the end of August. More needs to be done to allow life-saving treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Had Herceptin along with Perjeta, Carboplatin, and Taxotere for 6 months. HER+ hormone-negative stage 3A cancer was believed to have completely resolved from biopsy results after 6 months. Chemo was over & double mastectomy and 6 lymph glands removed. Currently continuing Herceptin infusions without chemo every 3 weeks & undergoing 6 weeks of radiation to prevent recurrence. Hard to tell what symptoms were from which drug during chemo and now with radiation, but now I have dizziness, occasional shortness of breath, and fatigue. Have also experienced nausea, but not with every treatment. I believe this drug saved my life for now, and I am grateful. Doctors say my prognosis would've been much worse without this drug."

• Clo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2023

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "After my lumpectomy, I was prescribed 12 weeks of chemo at the same time as getting Herceptin. As the weeks progressed, the side effects became severe, affecting my lungs and leaving me depleted of energy. But the doctors didn't know whether the Taxol (chemo) or the Herceptin were to blame. I was taken off the Taxol after 9 weeks, and one week later dropped the Herceptin as well. I spent 10 weeks recovering before being put back onto Herceptin. It's been another 10 weeks now, and so far, (touch wood) I have not felt any ill effects. I've scheduled an echocardiogram to check on my heart, but feel well, with a generally high level of energy."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2022

For Breast Cancer "Where do I start? Severe fatigue, severe shortness of breath, rash, mouth sores, back pain, joint pain, irritability, anxiety, depression, change in taste, loss of appetite. I can keep going. What did people do before this drug, who are still alive? My first infusion almost threw me in the hospital from an allergic reaction. I know it’s supposed to be a lifesaver and prevent recurrence even though it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier. I wish they could’ve come up with a drug without the severe side effects. I am not sure if I'm able to continue treatment. My quality of life is diminished. Doctors just promote and never listen."

• Ano...
• July 15, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I have no idea if this drug is working. The side effects are not pleasant. After the infusion and a few days following, heart racing and pounding so hard you can hear it. All kinds of rashes have developed throughout the body. Urine has a distinct odor, and one has to urinate continually. Many don't know that this originated from rodents, and the thought of that is enough to make anyone ill. The antibody was developed from mice. I have no idea if it's working. Just now, having the infusions is not pleasant. They call it a miracle drug in the man and his team who worked so long and hard on it, or very dedicated. So for those with triple positive breast cancer, it is said to be a lifesaver. Hoping for the best outcome."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2022

For Breast Cancer "I'm on injection Herceptin every third week. I've had twelve so far, but I've suffered with water infections every month now for three months. As of now, I've got no energy and have started itching, no rash. Don't feel like myself and been like that for two months. Oncologist said I could stop, but I'm worried about recurrence, so trying to continue until it gets too bad."

• Sup...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 21, 2019

For Esophageal Carcinoma "I have been having Herceptin for 6 years for esophageal carcinoma, and the only problem I have found is I cannot drink even a half glass of wine, as it causes sweating and feeling sick, also fainting."

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2022

For Breast Cancer "I have Herceptin every 21 days. Everything I eat tastes like metal. For nine months, I can't take it anymore. Does Herceptin cause a change in taste? Please help me."