Trastuzumab
- What is it for
Trastuzumab is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer and gastric cancer.
It is a monoclonal antibody which targets HER2, a certain type of protein on the surface of cancer cells, to control their growth.
Trastuzumab
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Trastuzumab
cause?
- Feeling tired and lack of energy
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery when you feel tired
- Flu-like symptoms e.g. headache, weakness, mild fever (<38° C)
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should inform your healthcare professional immediately.
- Heart problems. Your doctor may arrange for a test to check your heart function once every few months while you are on this treatment. Symptoms of this include:
- Persistent cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of hand or leg
- Flu-like symptoms that worsen or do not go away
- Allergic reactions. Please alert your nurse if you experience allergic reactions during your treatment. The symptoms of this include one or more of the following:
- Chills, rigors
- Facial flushing
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Before taking
Trastuzumab
, what precautions must I follow?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
- You are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
- You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 7 months after your last treatment.
- You are breastfeeding.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 7 months after your last treatment.
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
Trastuzumab
- Dosage and How to Use
How should
Trastuzumab
be used?
It is given as an injection into your vein (intravenous) or into the fatty tissue under the skin (subcutaneous).
