Dosing and Administration

In the metastatic setting, administer Herceptin (trastuzumab), alone or in combination with paclitaxel, once weekly until disease progression.

Once-weekly dosing and administration guidelines

The purpose of this guide is to assist you in the proper administration of Herceptin.

Herceptin Metastatic Treatment Duration

Administer Herceptin, alone or in combination with paclitaxel, at an initial dose of 4 mg/kg as a 90 minute intravenous infusion followed by subsequent once weekly doses of 2 mg/kg as 30 minute intravenous infusions until disease progression.

Indications and Usage 1

Metastatic indications

Herceptin is indicated:
  • In combination with paclitaxel for first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer
  • As a single agent for treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease
  • Herceptin is administered weekly and may be given in an outpatient setting
  • DO NOT ADMINISTER AS AN IV PUSH OR BOLUS
  • HERCEPTIN SHOULD NOT BE MIXED OR DILUTED WITH OTHER DRUGS
  • During the first infusion with Herceptin, a symptom complex most commonly consisting of chills and/or fever was observed in about 40% of patients in clinical trials
  • The symptoms were usually mild to moderate in severity and were treated with acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and meperidine (with or without reduction in the rate of Herceptin infusion)
  • References:
  • 1. Herceptin® (trastuzumab) Full Prescribing Information, Genentech, Inc. May 2008.
  • 2. Tan-Chiu E, Yothers G, Romond E, et al. Assessment of cardiac dysfunction in a randomized trial comparing doxorubicin and cyclophoshamide followed by paclitaxel, with or without trastuzumab as adjuvant therapy in node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing breast cancer: NSABP B-31.J Clin Oncol.2005;23:7811-7819.


Herceptin® (trastuzumab)Herceptin® (trastuzumab)

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