Herceptin (Trastuzumab)

Brand name: Herceptin®

Generic name:Trastuzumab

Therapeutic Class: monoclonal antibody

Manufacturer / Distributor: Roche

Availability: Herceptin is available by prescription only

Indications: Herceptin is used along with other medications to treat metastatic HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2)+ breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer. The drug is often used in combination with paclitaxel or the first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

Herceptin is also indicated as a single agent for the treatment of breast cancer with HER2 overexpression after surgery, chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy. Herceptin may also be prescribed for other medical conditions not mentioned in this article. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Dosage form: Herceptin is given by injection into a vein

Dosage: the dose of Gemzar recommended by your doctor depends on the type of cancer being treated, the overall state of your health, and your body mass index (your weight and height).

Herceptin comes as a liquid to be injected into a vein. The drug is usually given once a week as a single agent (monochemotherapy), or once every 3 weeks along with other chemotherapy medications (polychemotherapy). In the absence of complications, Herceptin is usually taken for long term to increase the chance of recovery.

However, the drug may cause hypersensitivity reactions during the first course of the therapy: fever, dyspnea, hypotension, and flushing. More rarely, Herceptin can cause pulmonary edema and severe cardio-pulmonary problems. In fact, some patients that have been treated with Herceptin experience life-threatening heart problems. Therefore, during treatment with Herceptin, regular cardiac exams, every 8 to 10 weeks, are particularly necessary.

Herceptin should be administered with great care by medical professionals such as oncologists or physicians who have experience in chemotherapy drugs. Herceptin should be given in a hospital or similar institution that has access to sterilization equipments for its preparation.

Overdose: Herceptin overdose can be fatal. An overdose of Herceptin can result in a decrease in white blood cells and platelets, which can cause serious or life threatening health problems in some patients. In addition, Herceptin overdose can also lead to kidney problems and/or severe heart problems. Therefore, avoid anything that can weaken your immune system and the risk of infection. During the treatment, keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Tell your doctor about all abnormal symptoms you experience.

Missing dose: because Herceptin is administered in hospital, missing dose is basically difficult if you respect your doctor’s appointments promptly. If for some reasons you cannot be present at the hospital for the therapy, contact your oncologist before the date you are scheduled for the injection. Do not stay home because you are experience side effects; Herceptin cause side effects in most patients. Missing a dose or a session of the therapy can affect the entire treatment.

Contraindication : Herceptin is contraindicated in the following conditions:

allergy to Herceptin or any of its ingredients
severe respiratory disorders
serious heart disease.

Mechanism of action (MOA): Herceptin is a human IgG 1 type monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor 2 epidermal growth factor (HER2). It works by inhibiting or stopping the growth of cancer cells that overexpress HER2.

Interactions: talk you to your doctor before taking vitamins or nutritional supplements. Some medications are not recommended to be used along with Herceptin; they can decrease the healing power of the drug, or increase the risk of developing side effects. Consult your doctor before taking these medicines:

Ganciclovir, an antiviral drug
Azathioprine, an immune system inhibitor
Barbiturates, depressant drug that causes relaxation and sleepiness
Cimetidine , a drug used to inhibit the production of acid in the stomach
Colchicines , a medication used to treat pain of gouty arthritis
Live vaccines: BCG vaccine, yellow fever vaccine, etc.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), a medication of the alkylating agent family used to treat a variety of cancers
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Cytoxan, Neosar, Procytox, Revimmune), a drug used to treat several types of cancers
Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstruation, colon and rectum polyps, etc.

Side effects: while attacking cancer cells,Herceptin also affects healthy cells, which cause adverse effects in most patients. common Herceptin side effects include: hair loss, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, fever, nausea and vomiting, infusion reactions, increased cough, headache, fatigue, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain.