Pertuzumab

Pertuzumab is used along with other medicines (trastuzumab and docetaxel) to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.

Pertuzumab may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Pertuzumab can cause birth defects or death to the unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Avoid getting pregnant while using pertuzumab, within 7 months of becoming pregnant, and for at least 7 months after your last dose.

Pertuzumab can cause life-threatening heart problems. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, or swelling in your lower legs.

You should not use pertuzumab if you are allergic to it, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm disorder;
• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
• a heart attack; or
• radiation treatment in your chest area.

Pregnancy

Do not use pertuzumab during pregnancy or within 7 months of conception because it can cause harm to the fetus, including embryo-fetal death and birth defects. Your pregnancy status will be checked before starting treatment. Use effective contraception during treatment with pertuzumab and trastuzumab, and for at least 7 months after your last dose.

If you are exposed to pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab during pregnancy or within 7 months before conception, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555. Your name may be included in a pregnancy registry to monitor the effects on the baby.

Breastfeeding

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using pertuzumab with trastuzumab, or for up to 7 months after your last dose. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may happen during the injection. Tell your caregiver immediately if you feel weak, tired, or nauseated, or if you experience a fast heartbeat, headache, fever, chills, muscle pain, or an unusual taste in your mouth.

Pertuzumab may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• dizziness, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• new or worsening cough or shortness of breath;
• swelling in your lower legs;
• low blood cell counts—fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed; or
• signs of tumor cell breakdown—confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate, decreased urination, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or stopped permanently if you experience certain side effects.

Common side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, diarrhea;
• temporary hair loss;
• fever, low blood cell counts;
• tiredness;
• rash; or
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pertuzumab is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Pertuzumab is usually given once every 3 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Pertuzumab can cause life-threatening heart problems. Your heart function may need to be checked before you start using pertuzumab and during your treatment.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Perjeta injection.

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Other drugs may affect pertuzumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are very similar to and have no important differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for pertuzumab.

Perjeta (pertuzumab) - Genentech, Inc.

View Perjeta information in detail.

Perjeta interchangeable products

Interchangeable biosimilar products can be dispensed by a pharmacist without needing approval from the prescriber of the reference product.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state.

Poherdy (pertuzumab-dpzb) - Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc.

Poherdy