Herceptin.com - HERStory Patient Videos

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Disclaimer: The patient Ambassador who appears in the following video was paid to speak about Herceptin because she has had success with the product. This is not the experience for every patient who receives Herceptin. It is important to be aware of the possible risks and benefits of Herceptin and any drug. The individual decision to use or not use any drug can only be made by the patient and their doctor, evaluating that patient’s unique case.

Indications and Usage

Herceptin, as part of a treatment regimen containing doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Herceptin as a single agent is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing node-negative (ER/PR-negative or with one high-risk feature) or node-positive breast cancer, following multi-modality anthracycline-based therapy.

Herceptin in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Herceptin as a single agent is indicated for treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease.

What important safety information should I know about Herceptin?

Herceptin treatment can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (congestive heart failure). The risk and seriousness of these heart problems were highest in people who received both Herceptin and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline). Your doctor will stop or strongly consider stopping Herceptin if you have a significant drop in your heart function.

You should be monitored for decreased heart function before your first dose of Herceptin, and frequently during the time you are receiving Herceptin and after your last dose of Herceptin. If you must permanently or temporarily stop Herceptin due to heart problems, you should be monitored more frequently.

Some patients have had serious infusion reactions and lung problems; fatal infusion reactions have been reported. In most cases, these reactions occurred during or within 24 hours of receiving Herceptin. Your Herceptin infusion should be temporarily stopped if you have shortness of breath or very low blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor you until these symptoms go away. If you have a severe allergic reaction, swelling, lung problems, inflammation of the lung, or severe shortness of breath, your doctor may need to completely stop your Herceptin treatment.

Worsening of low white blood cell counts associated with chemotherapy has also occurred.

Herceptin can cause low amniotic fluid levels and harm to the fetus when taken by a pregnant woman.

The most common side effects associated with Herceptin were fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain.

Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects any one person will have. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor.

Please see full prescribing information for Boxed WARNINGS and additional important safety information.

HERStory | Patient Videos