Trastuzumab

Trastuzumab is used in adults either by itself or with other cancer medicines to treat specific types of breast cancer or stomach cancer.

trastuzumab is sometimes used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

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

Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control.

trastuzumab can cause serious side effects, including infusion reactions and life-threatening heart and lung problems. Tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as a new or worsening cough, dizziness, headaches, chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling, or rapid weight gain.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• heart problems such as a heart attack, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and heart rhythm disorder;
• chemotherapy; or
• lung or breathing problems.

May cause birth defects or death to the unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control while receiving trastuzumab and for at least 7 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 7 months after your last dose. Ask your doctor about the risk.

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

Some side effects may occur during or within 24 hours of receiving this injection and may lead to serious lung problems. Tell your medical caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Tell your medical caregivers right away if you have:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• heart problems--pounding heartbeats, dizziness, loss of consciousness, swelling, cough, rapid weight gain (more than 5 pounds in 24 hours), new or worsening shortness of breath; or
• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed.

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

Common side effects of trastuzumab may include:

• heart problems;
• nausea, diarrhea, weight loss;
• headache;
• sleep problems (insomnia), feeling tired;
• low blood cell counts;
• rash;
• fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection;
• mouth sores or irritation;
• altered sense of taste; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

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.

Your doctor will perform tests to make sure trastuzumab is the right treatment for you.

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

Doses are based on weight. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.

Trastuzumab is usually given once every 1 or 3 weeks. Your doctor will determine how long you should receive trastuzumab. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You will be watched for a short time to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction or serious side effects.

You may need frequent medical tests and 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.

You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or allergic reaction. Keep taking these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

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

In a medical setting, an overdose would be treated quickly.

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

Trastuzumab can have long-lasting effects on your heart, especially if you receive other cancer medicines. Tell your doctor about all other cancer treatments you have received and are receiving.

Other drugs may affect trastuzumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

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

Reference products

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

Herceptin (trastuzumab) - Genentech, Inc.

View Herceptin information in detail.

Herceptin biosimilar products

Biosimilar products can only be given instead of the reference product if the healthcare provider specifically prescribes the biosimilar product by name.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state.

Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf) - Accord BioPharma Inc.

View Hercessi information in detail.

Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb) - CELLTRION, Inc.

View Herzuma information in detail.

Kanjinti (trastuzumab-anns) - Amgen Inc.

View Kanjinti information in detail.

Ogivri (trastuzumab-dkst) - Biocon Biologics Inc.

View Ogivri information in detail.

Ontruzant (trastuzumab-dttb) - Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd.

View Ontruzant information in detail.

Trazimera (trastuzumab-qyyp) - Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company

View Trazimera information in detail.