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HERCEPTIN®
HERCEPTIN contains the active ingredient trastuzumab. HERCEPTIN belongs to a group of medicines known as antineoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents. There are many different classes of antineoplastic agents. HERCEPTIN belongs to a class called monoclonal antibodies.
HERCEPTIN is used to treat the following breast cancers in patients that have tested positive for HER2 receptors:
metastatic (spreading) breast cancer
early breast cancer in women with normal heart function
Some patients with breast cancer have a large amount of a protein called HER2 on the cancer cells. HERCEPTIN works by attaching itself specifically to these HER2 proteins (or receptors) on the cancer cells. This stops the growth and multiplication of these cancer cells.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are receiving HERCEPTIN.
HERCEPTIN helps some people with breast cancer but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Because HERCEPTIN may be used with other medicines that treat breast cancer, it may be difficult for your doctor to tell whether the side effects are due to HERCEPTIN or due to the other medicines.
During an infusion
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following while receiving an infusion (particularly during the first infusion) and they worry you:
chills and/or shivering
fever
nausea and/or vomiting
pain or discomfort(including stomach, back, chest or neck pain)
stiffness/shaking
headache and/or dizziness
cough
skin rashes and/or itching skin
weakness, fatigue
shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, wheezing
abnormal/rapid beating of heart
feeling faint
These side effects are usually mild to moderate and occur less frequently with subsequent infusions.
Your doctor may monitor your heart function closely during your treatment with HERCEPTIN.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent the side effects from occurring while receiving your HERCEPTIN infusion.
After an infusion
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following after an infusion and they worry you:
all of the side effects listed above under "During an infusion"
insomnia (difficulty sleeping), anxiety, depression
worsening cough
runny or blocked nose
nose bleeds
flu and/or cold like symptoms
chest infection
pain on urination, or increased frequency of urination
diarrhoea
hair loss
problems with your nails
soreness in muscles and/or joints
sweating
sore throat
acne
bone pain
loss of appetite, change in sense of taste, constipation, indigestion
tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
mouth ulcers, cold sores
discharge with itching of the eyes and crusty eyelids
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following:
high temperature or fever
sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
severe coughing
chest pain spreading out to the arms, neck, shoulder and/or back
abnormal/irregular beating of the heart
severe diarrhoea or vomiting
feeling faint
severe skin infections, including a bright red rash on the face or legs
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
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