Trastuzumab Injection

Trastuzumab injection is used along with other medications or after other medications have been used to treat a certain type of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Trastuzumab injection is also used during and after treatment with other medications to decrease the chance that a certain type of breast cancer will return in women. Trastuzumab is also used with other medications to treat certain types of stomach cancer that have spread to other parts of the body. Trastuzumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.

 

Trastuzumab injection comes as a liquid to be injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. When trastuzumab injection is used to treat breast cancer that has spread, it is usually given once a week. When trastuzumab injection is used to prevent the return of breast cancer, it is usually given once a week during treatment with other chemotherapy medications, and then once every 3 weeks after treatment with the other medications is completed for up to 52 weeks. When trastuzumab injection is used to treat stomach cancer, it is usually given once every 3 weeks. The length of your treatment depends on how well your body responds to the medication and the side effects that you experience.

 

What special precautions should I follow?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to trastuzumab, medications made from Chinese hamster ovary cell protein, any other medications, or benzyl alcohol. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure if a medication you are allergic to is made from Chinese hamster ovary cell protein or contains benzyl alcohol.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or any other medical condition.
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving trastuzumab injection.