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HERCEPTIN INFUSION

Prescription Required
SALT COMPOSITION
Storage
Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze.

Product introduction

HERCEPTIN INFUSION is used in the treatment of breast and stomach cancer. It works by killing the cancer cells by inhibiting HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein).

HERCEPTIN INFUSION is used to treat some types of cancers of breast and stomach

Uses of Herceptin Infusion

Benefits of Herceptin Infusion

In Breast cancer

HERCEPTIN INFUSION is used to treat breast cancer when other medicines have failed to show significant improvement. It helps to stop cancer growth and further spread and relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipple or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. This medicine is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.

In Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer also known as gastric cancer, may occur in the inner lining (called mucosa) of the stomach or in the walls of the stomach. These are of various kinds depending on the origin, affected area and severity of the cancer. HERCEPTIN INFUSION helps to kill the cancer cells and also stops their further growth and spread. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.

Side effects of Herceptin Infusion

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Herceptin

  • Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
  • Chills
  • Common cold
  • Cough
  • Decreased blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets)
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Heart failure
  • Infection
  • Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
  • Mucosal inflammation
  • Nausea
  • Rash
  • Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
  • Taste change
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Weight loss

How to use Herceptin Infusion

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self-administer.

How Herceptin Infusion works

HERCEPTIN INFUSION is a recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody. It works against the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein) receptors which are responsible for the over-proliferation of cancer cells in breast cancer and stomach cancer cells. It destroys the cancer cells by inhibiting HER2. It also inhibits various cancer-causing downstream signaling pathways.

Safety advice

Alcohol
UNSAFE
HERCEPTIN INFUSION may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
HERCEPTIN INFUSION is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
HERCEPTIN INFUSION is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether HERCEPTIN INFUSION alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
HERCEPTIN INFUSION is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of HERCEPTIN INFUSION may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of HERCEPTIN INFUSION in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine

Quick tips

  • It is given as an injection into your vein or under the skin, usually over 1 hour.
  • Use effective contraception method to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for 7 months after you stop the treatment. 
  • Your doctor will monitor your heart regularly while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms such as breathlessness, cough, shivering, swelling of legs and arm.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Fact Box

Chemical Class
Monoclonal antibody (mAb)
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
abcde
Action Class
HER2/neu (ErbB2) Inhibitor- Monoclonal antibody

Patient concerns

arrow
If any symtom of brest cancer if have whats the cure
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rai
Medical Oncology and Hematology
First is confirmation of breast cancerChance of cure depends on stage of cancer
BREAST CANCER , PET REPORT SAYS INFECTION IN SKELETON.
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rai
Medical Oncology and Hematology
Metastatic breast cancer, send me previous treatment details
arrow

User feedback


FAQs

What are the serious side effects of HERCEPTIN INFUSION?

There are various side effects related to HERCEPTIN INFUSION such as sore throat, fever, chills, excessive tiredness, pale skin, nosebleeds, and other unusual bruising or bleeding. One can also experience stomach pain, seizures, hallucinations, muscle cramps, and spasms. Along with that, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, rapid heart beat, discoloration of urine; decreased amount of urine, difficulty in urinating, pain when urinating, and other signs of infection can also be observed with the use of HERCEPTIN INFUSION. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any such symptoms.

How long after HERCEPTIN INFUSION therapy can I get pregnant?

Women of child-bearing age should use effective contraception during HERCEPTIN INFUSION therapy and for 7 months after completing the treatment. You can plan your pregnancy after 7 months of treatment with HERCEPTIN INFUSION.

How long should HERCEPTIN INFUSION be taken?

Patients with early breast cancer should take HERCEPTIN INFUSION for 1 year or until disease recurs, whichever occurs first. It is not advised to extend the treatment beyond 1 year in patients of early breast cancer.

Is fasting required before administering HERCEPTIN INFUSION?

No, fasting is not required before administering HERCEPTIN INFUSION. It should be given under the guidance of a doctor who is experienced in giving cancer chemotherapy and should be given only by a healthcare professional.

How is HERCEPTIN INFUSION given, intravenously or intramuscularly?

There are 2 different formulations available for administration of HERCEPTIN INFUSION, one is given as an infusion into a vein (intravenous infusion) and the other is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It is important to check the product labels to ensure that the correct formulation is being given as prescribed. HERCEPTIN INFUSION intravenous formulation is not for subcutaneous use and should be given as an intravenous infusion only. Your doctor may consider switching your HERCEPTIN INFUSION intravenous treatment to HERCEPTIN INFUSION subcutaneous treatment (and vice versa) if considered appropriate for you.

Can HERCEPTIN INFUSION be given to HER2 negative cancer patients?

No, HERCEPTIN INFUSION cannot be given in patients with HER2 negative cancer cells. HERCEPTIN INFUSION belongs to class of monoclonal antibody. It binds selectively to a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). HER2 is found, in large amounts, on the surface of some cancer cells. When HERCEPTIN INFUSION binds to HER2, it stops the growth and spread of the cancer cells. Therefore, it is only effective in HER2 positive patients (in which HER2 is present) and will not be beneficial for HER2 negative patients (in which HER2 is not present).

Why has my doctor advised for investigations of heart?

HERCEPTIN INFUSION when used with anthracycline class of anti-cancer medicines (eg doxorubicin) may adversely affect your heart. Hence, your doctor needs to check the health of your heart initially before starting treatment and during treatment.

How frequently heart investigations are required?

Heart investigations should be performed at the starting of the treatment. It should be repeated every 3 months during treatment and every 6 months after the discontinuation of treatment until 24 months from the last administration of HERCEPTIN INFUSION. Those patients who already have heart-related problems will require investigations every 12 weeks.

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Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

  1. Chabner BA, Barnes J, Neal J, et al. Targeted Therapies: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Cytokines. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1737.
  2. Lake DF, Briggs AD, Akporiaye ET. Immunopharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 978.
  3. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1390-91.
  4. Trastuzumab. South San Francisco, California: Genentech, Inc.; 1998 [revised Oct. 2010]. [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:External Link
  5. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Trastuzumab. [Updated 2019 Jun 30]. [Accessed 19 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:External Link

Marketer details

Name: Roche Products India Pvt Ltd
Address: 1503, 15th Floor, ‘The Capital’, Plot no. C-70, Behind ICICI Bank, BKC, Bandra (E) , Mumbai 400051
Country of origin: India

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We do not facilitate sale of this product at present

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