Herceptin is a drug based on Roche Laboratory monoclonal antibodies that acts directly on the cancer cell and is very effective against certain cancers.
This drug is priced at about 10 thousand reais and is available in the SUS – Single Health System.
- Herceptin is indicated for the treatment of people with metastatic breast cancer.
- Initial breast cancer and advanced gastric cancer.
Herceptin should be administered by a healthcare professional
In case of weekly use, an initial loading dose of 4 mg / kg body weight should be administered as a 90-minute intravenous infusion.The following weekly doses should be 2 mg/kg body weight, which can be administered as a one-minute infusion.
If used every 3 weeks, the starting loading dose is 8 mg/kg body weight, followed by 6 mg/kg body weight, every 3 weeks, in infusions lasting approximately 90 minutes.If this dose is well tolerated, the duration of the infusion can be reduced to 30 minutes.
This medicine may be given in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel.
This medicine should be used every 3 weeks and the initial attack dose is 8 mg / kg body weight, followed by 6 mg / kg body weight, which will be repeated every 3 weeks, in infusions lasting approximately 90 minutes.If this dose is well tolerated, the duration of the infusion can be reduced to 30 minutes.
The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with Herceptin are nasopharyngitis, infection, anemia, thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, decreased white blood cell count, weight loss or loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, head, parstesia, hyposthesia., decreased taste, tearing, conjunctivitis, lymphedema, hot flashes, shortness of breath, epistaxis, cough, nasal discharge and pain in the mouth and pharynx.
In addition, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, poor digestion, constipation, stomatitis, rash, rash, hair loss, nail disorders and muscle pain may also occur.
Who shouldn’t use
This remedy should not be used in people allergic to any of the ingredients of the formula, pregnant and nursing women.
This medicine has not been tested in children, adolescents, the elderly and people with renal or hepatic impairment and should be used with caution.