Trastuzumab
Description
Trastuzumab is an anti-cancer medicine. It is used to treat breast and stomach cancer. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Trastuzumab has some side effects like diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach pain, heartburn, acne, headache, back pain, muscle pain, etc. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a longer time or worsen. Trastuzumab should be avoided if you are allergic to it.
Trastuzumab is given in a hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional. The dose and duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. Do not miss the dose of this injection and continue the treatment for the recommended duration for best results.
Trastuzumab may not be suitable for everyone. Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, or heart or lung problems. Also, inform your doctor about your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Trastuzumab
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Tiredness and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhoea
- Reduction in blood cell count
- Infections
- Muscle and joint pain
- Cough
- Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- Change in taste
- Sleep disturbances
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Depression
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Pale skin
- Constipation
- Back pain
- Loss of appetite
Uses of Trastuzumab
What is it prescribed for?
- Breast cancer
- Metastatic gastric cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Trastuzumab to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Trastuzumab remains active in your 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 for Trastuzumab.
- Usage in pregnancy?Trastuzumab is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm the developing foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of safety information, Trastuzumab is not recommended for use while breastfeeding and for seven months after the last dose.
Allergy
Trastuzumab is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Trastuzumab is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm the developing foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of safety information, Trastuzumab is not recommended for use while breastfeeding and for seven months after the last dose.
General warnings
Women of childbearing potential
Use of Trastuzumab during pregnancy may cause harm to the developing foetus. Hence, women of childbearing potential should use effective contraceptive methods while on treatment with this medicine and for seven months after completing the treatment.
Driving or operating machines
Use of Trastuzumab may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some cases. Hence, avoid performing activities such as driving vehicles and operating machines if you experience such symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
As Trastuzumab is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss a scheduled appointment for a dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
As Trastuzumab 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 your 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
Leflunomide
Live vaccines
Etanercept
Doxorubicin
Ganciclovir
Adalimumab
Paclitaxel
Warfarin
Baricitinib
Disease interactions
Pulmonary toxicity
Trastuzumab should be used with extreme caution as it may cause respiratory toxicity such as shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, scarring of the lungs, excess fluid in the lungs, etc. It is not recommended for use if you have shortness of breath due to complications of advanced cancer or if you require supplementation with oxygen therapy.
Cardiovascular disease
Trastuzumab should be used with caution if you have heart problems as it may further worsen your condition.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is the damage of nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. This may lead to sharp, throbbing, or burning pain, pricking sensation, and numbness, usually in the hands and feet. Trastuzumab should be used with caution as it may cause peripheral neuropathy.
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a condition of decreased platelet count in your body. Platelets are colorless blood cells that help blood clot and arrest bleeding. Trastuzumabshould be used with extreme caution as it may cause thrombocytopenia.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Trastuzumab is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
The dose and frequency of administration are very specific and should not be missed. Your doctor may suggest a few laboratory tests during and after the treatment with this medicine.
Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Trastuzumab works by stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
HER2 inhibitors, Anticancer drug
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 December 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - HERCEPTIN- trastuzumab injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Kanjinti 150 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Trastuzumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 31 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 3 Mar 2022
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.