Pertuzumab

Description

Pertuzumab is used in combination with other anti-cancer medications for the treatment of certain types of cancer of the breast. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Pertuzumab

  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Fever
  • Black or Tarry stools
  • Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
  • Lower back or side pain
  • Painful or difficult urination
  • Redness of the skin
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Ulcers or white spots in the mouth
  • Weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet

Uses of Pertuzumab

What is it prescribed for?

  • Breast cancer
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to pertuzumab or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings

Use in children

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.

Infusion related reactions

Usage of this medicine may cause symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, fall in blood pressure, etc. in some patients. Your doctor may decrease the rate of infusion or discontinue the therapy in such cases and symptomatic treatment will be initiated.

Tumor lysis syndrome

Usage of this medicine may increase the risk of tumor lysis syndrome, especially in patients with bulky metastases. Frequent clinical monitoring is required while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Blood cell counts

Usage of this medicine may alter the levels of blood cell components. Hence, caution is advised while initiating the therapy with this medicine in patients with a pre-existing blood cell disorder. Regular monitoring of blood cell components is advised while this medicine is being administered. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Driving or operating machinery

Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Kidney impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

This medicine is usually given in multiple cycles. If you miss a scheduled appointment for receiving a dose of this medicine, call your doctor immediately for further instructions.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Adalimumab

Bevacizumab

Idelalisib

Cetuximab

Disease interactions

Lung impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation due to the increased risk of the lung toxicity. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Cardiovascular disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. Regular monitoring of heart function and vital signs may be necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with peripheral neuropathy due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. Your doctor may discontinue your therapy if you are diagnosed with grade III or grade IV neuropathy until it is resolved. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Renal Dysfunction

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Thrombocytopenia

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with decreased platelet counts due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. Regular monitoring of platelet count is necessary prior to each dose of this medicine. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the hospital or clinical setting. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine. Report any unusual and significant side effects to the doctor immediately.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

HER2 inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

DailyMed - Perjeta - pertuzumab injection, solution, concentrate [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=17f85d17-ab71-4f5b-9fe3-0b8c822f69ff

Pertuzumab - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB06366

[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2993.pdf

[Internet]. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:

https://medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/p/perjeta.pdf

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/125409s051lbl.pdf

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 29 May 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.