Do not use Herceptin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 7 months after your last dose of trastuzumab. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Herceptin can cause heart failure, especially if you have heart disease or if you are also receiving certain other cancer medicines.
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregivers if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, weak, short of breath, or if you have a headache, fever, or chills.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with Herceptin if you are allergic to trastuzumab.
To make sure Herceptin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease;
congestive heart failure;
a heart attack; or
any allergies or breathing problems.
Trastuzumab can cause heart failure, especially if you have heart disease or if you are also receiving certain other cancer medicines (such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, or idarubicin).
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Do not use Herceptin if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause injury or death to the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 7 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
If you become pregnant while using this medicine or within 7 months after you stop, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of trastuzumab on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine and for up to 7 months after your last dose. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How is Herceptin given?
Herceptin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Herceptin is usually given once every week or every 1 to 3 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Your doctor will perform a medical test to make sure trastuzumab is the right medicine to treat your cancer.
This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take up to 90 minutes to complete.
You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
Your heart function may need to be checked before and during treatment with trastuzumab. You may also need heart function testing every 6 months for 2 years after your last dose of this medicine.
Herceptin is usually given for 52 weeks, or until your body no longer responds to the medication.
