Herceptin
How Herceptin is given
Source: NHS
In this topic (8)
Herceptin is given during visits to a hospital or clinic.
Itcan begiven in two ways:
- by infusion where the medication is fed slowly into your bloodstream through a drip; the first treatment usually takes about 90 minutes and further treatments take about 30 minutes
- by subcutaneous injection an injection under the skin of the thigh that takes a few minutes (this can only be usedfor breast cancer)
The first time you have Herceptinyou'll need to stay in hospital for around six hours so you can be monitored for any side effects. Further treatment sessions usually only require up to two hours in hospital.
If you have breast cancer, you'll have treatment every one or three weeks. Stomach and oesophagealcancer is usually treated once every three weeks.
Early-stage breast cancer will require treatment for a year. For breast, oesophageal or stomach cancer that has spread, treatment is used for as long as it helps.
Articles for Herceptin
Heart monitoring on Herceptin
Heart problems can sometimes develop while you're on Herceptin and they can be serious. Before treatment starts, you'll have a test to see how well your heart is working for example, an ultrasound sc
How Herceptin is given
Herceptin is given during visits to a hospital or clinic. Itcan begiven in two ways: by infusion where the medication is fed slowly into your bloodstream through a drip; the first treatment usually
How Herceptin works
Herceptin can help control the growth of cancer cells that contain high amounts of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2). HER2 is found in all human cells. It controls cell growth and repai
Introduction
Find out about Herceptin (trastuzumab), including how it works, when it's used, how it's given and what the possible side effects are.
Reporting side effects
The Yellow Card Scheme allows you to report suspected side effects from any type of medicine you're taking. The scheme is run by medicines safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regu
Side effects of Herceptin
Herceptin often causes side effects, although many of these will become less severeover time. The following side effects affectaround 1 in 10 people: a reaction to the medication this can cause chi
When Herceptin is used
Herceptin can be used to treat: early HER2 positive breast cancer, following surgery and/or radiotherapy and chemotherapy , to reduce the risk ofthe cancer coming back advanced HER2 positive breas
Who may not be able to have Herceptin
Herceptin shouldn't be used to treat people with breast, oesophageal or stomach cancer that isn't HER2 positive. It may also not be suitable if: you have a pre-existing heart condition, such as hea