Herceptin has 2 approved uses in metastatic breast cancer:
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As a first cancer treatment you would receive in combination with the chemotherapy “paclitaxel”
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As a treatment alone if you have already received one or more chemotherapy treatments for metastatic cancer
Patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved test for Herceptin.
Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment option for you.
Every person who has breast cancer is unique and no cancer treatment works the same for everyone. Speak to your doctor for more information about treatment with Herceptin.
Herceptin, with chemotherapy or alone, is a treatment that you may receive until your cancer spreads further or your side effects become unmanageable.
How often is Herceptin treatment given?
For metastatic breast cancer, the dosing schedule is once weekly.
How long will each infusion of Herceptin take?
Your first infusion will take 90 minutes, and then your weekly infusions will take 30 minutes.
Heart monitoring for potential side effects of Herceptin
Your healthcare team will monitor your heart so that potential side effects from Herceptin can be seen early and properly treated. Your doctor will check for signs of heart problems before, during, and after treatment with Herceptin.
Heart monitoring means you will get a medical test every few months with a scan that shows if your heart function has changed since starting Herceptin. Your heart function will be tested with an echo* or MUGA† scan.
Talk to your doctor about which signs and symptoms you may see while taking Herceptin.
*An echo scan is an ultrasound image of the heart;
also called an “echocardiogram.”
†MUGA scan is a
commonly used test that takes a moving picture of your heart pumping
blood. It requires an injection of a nontoxic radioactive substance.
How often will your heart be tested?‡
During treatment:
Your heart will be tested every 3 months for 1 year.
After treatment:
Your heart will be tested every 6 months for at least 2 years.
‡Charts describe what is recommended. You and your healthcare team will decide on the heart-monitoring schedule that works for you.
Get more information about the side effects of Herceptin that could be signs of heart problems.
Discover how Herceptin targets specific proteins on cells to fight cancer.
If you receive Herceptin in combination with another HER2-targeted treatment + chemotherapy, here’s some information to keep in mind.
If you receive Herceptin
HYLECTA™ (trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk), an
injection under the skin (subcutaneous) instead of IV
(intravenous), here’s some information to keep in mind.
Would you like help paying for
Herceptin?