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What to Expect

Getting Herceptin Breast Cancer Therapy

Herceptin (trastuzumab) is usually given at your doctor's office or clinic. You take Herceptin through an intravenous (IV) infusion, which means that the drug comes through a needle that your nurse inserts into a vein. Herceptin can also be given through a central line or a port, which are two different devices placed under the skin to make it easier to receive medications that are given through an infusion. Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you.

Infusions will usually last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the dosage you are receiving, how frequently you are getting infusions, and how well you are tolerating the infusions. Infusions may be slowed or stopped if you experience discomfort from the side effects.

Can I take Herceptin with my other cancer treatments?

Herceptin can be given with other cancer treatments. Remember, Herceptin is not chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. The potential benefits of Herceptin are in addition to the potential benefits you may receive from surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radiation therapy. Herceptin is not a substitute for any of these therapies. Talk to your doctor about what therapies are right for you.

Can I take Herceptin if I am pregnant?

Herceptin can cause harm to the fetus when taken by a pregnant woman. This may be related to a lowering of amniotic fluid levels in the second and third trimesters.

You should use effective contraceptive methods while receiving Herceptin and for at least six months after you finish taking Herceptin.

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Herceptin. If you are pregnant and receiving Herceptin, consider joining the Cancer and Childbirth Registry by calling 1-800-690-6720. By joining this registry, you can help others understand the effects of taking Herceptin while pregnant.

What should I look out for when I'm on Herceptin therapy, and what symptoms should I immediately report to my doctor?

Be sure to tell your doctor about any health conditions you have had, as well as any new symptoms that arise. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following: new or worsening shortness of breath; cough; swelling of the ankles or legs; swelling of the face; heart beats that are unusually strong, fast, slow, or irregular in rhythm; weight gain of more than five pounds in 24 hours; dizziness; or loss of consciousness.

What side effects may I experience with my first dose of Herceptin?

When you receive the first dose of Herceptin, you may have chills and fever as well as nausea, vomiting, pain, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, rash, and weakness.

In most cases, these reactions occurred during or within 24 hours of receiving Herceptin.

If you have shortness of breath or very low blood pressure during an infusion, Herceptin treatment should be temporarily stopped. Your doctor will monitor you until these symptoms go away.

Serious and fatal reactions have been reported. If you have severe or life-threatening side effects while receiving treatment, your doctor should stop Herceptin completely.

Are the potential side effects with Herceptin^® the same as chemotherapy?

Herceptin is not chemotherapy. Once you finish your chemotherapy and are receiving Herceptin alone, many of the chemotherapy-related side effects will likely go away or be less severe. For instance, Herceptin does not usually cause hair loss. See Possible Herceptin Side Effects for more information.

Herceptin® (trastuzumab)

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What do Adjuvant and Metastatic mean? X Close

Adjuvant Care Is defined as additional treatment given after the main treatment plan to decrease the chance of recurrence. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy

Metastatic Breast Cancer Breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body; also referred to as invasive or infiltrating