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Herceptin Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Herceptin Anastrozole Tamoxifen
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Herceptin (trastuzumab) Anastrozole Tamoxifen
Prescription only

Prescribed for Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer - Metastatic, Breast Cancer - Adjuvant, Esophageal Carcinoma, Gastric Cancer. May also be prescribed off label for Salivary Gland Cancer.

Prescription only

Anastrozole is a medication that may be used to treat postmenopausal breast cancer and works by lowering estrogen levels in the body. It is usually taken for five years and hot flushes are the most... View more

Prescription only

Prescribed for Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer - Adjuvant, Breast Cancer - Metastatic, Breast Cancer - Male, Breast Cancer - Palliative, McCune-Albright Syndrome, Precocious Puberty. May also be... View more

More about Herceptin (trastuzumab) More about Anastrozole More about Tamoxifen
Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Lower-cost generic is available

Lower-cost generic is available
Ratings & Reviews

Herceptin has an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 from a total of 10 ratings on Drugs.com. 75% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 0% reported a negative effect.

Anastrozole has an average rating of 5.1 out of 10 from a total of 224 ratings on Drugs.com. 28% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 38% reported a negative effect.

Tamoxifen has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 96 ratings on Drugs.com. 31% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 29% reported a negative effect.

View all 10 reviews

View all 224 reviews

View all 96 reviews

Drug Class
Side Effects

Common side effects include:

  • febrile neutropenia
  • infection
  • asthenia
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • headache
  • nausea
  • pain
  • skin rash
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • back pain
  • diarrhea
  • flu-like symptoms
  • insomnia
  • neutropenia
  • pharyngitis
  • rhinitis
  • chills
  • anorexia
  • show all 20

See also: Herceptin side effects in more detail.

See also: anastrozole side effects in more detail.

Commonly reported side effects include:

  • amenorrhea
  • fluid retention
  • hot flash
  • nausea
  • vaginal discharge
  • vaginal hemorrhage
  • weight loss
  • skin changes

See also: tamoxifen side effects in more detail.
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 1 powder for injection
Dosage 150 mg
Per Unit* $1,650.51
Cost* $1,650.51

View all Herceptin prices

Quantity 6 tablet
Dosage 1 mg
Per Unit* $3.11
Cost* $18.66

View all anastrozole prices

Quantity 100 each
Dosage 10 mg
Per Unit* $0.44
Cost* $44.19

View all tamoxifen prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Intravenous powder for injection
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet
Brand Names
Other trastuzumab brands include: Herzuma, Kanjinti, Ogivri, Ontruzant, Trazimera Arimidex Soltamox
Half Life The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

924 hours

50 hours

231 hours
CSA Schedule ** View glossary of terms
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions

A total of 156 drugs are known to interact with Herceptin:

  • 44 major drug interactions (126 brand and generic names)
  • 112 moderate drug interactions (329 brand and generic names)

A total of 18 drugs are known to interact with anastrozole:

  • 1 major drug interactions (2 brand and generic names)
  • 17 moderate drug interactions (144 brand and generic names)

A total of 397 drugs are known to interact with tamoxifen:

  • 108 major drug interactions (422 brand and generic names)
  • 280 moderate drug interactions (918 brand and generic names)
  • 9 minor drug interactions (25 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
  • Talk to your doctor before using tamoxifen with soy products. There is some evidence that... View more
Disease Interactions
First Approval Date

September 25, 1998

May 11, 2012

October 27, 2017
WADA Class View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A
More Information
Patient resources

N/A
Professional Resources
Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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