Generic name:trastuzumab [ tras-TOO-zoo-mab ]
Drug class:HER2 inhibitors
What is Herceptin?
Herceptin is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Herceptin is used to treat certain types of breast cancer or stomach cancer. Other cancer medicines are sometimes used in combination with Herceptin.
Herceptin is sometimes used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Warnings
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,
