Trastuzumab
About Trastuzumab
Trastuzumab is an anti-cancer medicine used in the treatment of HER2-positive Breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Cancer is a disease where the cells grow abnormally and divide uncontrollably. It can also be used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Trastuzumab contains Trastuzumab as an active ingredient, which belongs to the class of monoclonal antibodies. It works by inhibiting the abnormal growth of cancer cells and, finally, causes the initiation of programmed cell death.
Trastuzumab may cause certain side effects such as abdominal pain, chills, diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea, back pain, bone pain, edema, insomnia, fever, dizziness, headache, vomiting, cough, rash, and injection site reactions. If the side effects persist or bother you, please consult your doctor. Trastuzumab will be administered by a trained doctor. Hence, do not self-administer.
Avoid taking it and inform your doctor if you are allergic to Trastuzumab or its components. Inform your doctor if you have any cardiovascular conditions, lung problems, or liver/kidney disease, as it can cause adverse effects. Trastuzumab is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor beforehand.
Uses of Trastuzumab
Medicinal Benefits
Trastuzumab contains Trastuzumab, which is used for treating patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. This medicine works by inhibiting the excess production of a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein in the mammalian cells. This causes inhibition of the cancer cell growth and, finally, initiation of programmed cell death.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Trastuzumab
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Myalgia
- Bone pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Injection site reactions
- Pain at the site of injection
- Dizziness
- Edema
- Cough
- Rash
- Insomnia
Drug Warnings
Trastuzumab should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components of this medicine. Inform your doctor if you have any lung problems, cardiovascular conditions or liver/kidney disease, as it can cause adverse effects. Trastuzumab may cause left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary toxicity, exacerbations of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and hypersensitivity reactions during the treatment. Hence, careful observation should be performed for any reactions in the patient. Trastuzumab may cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor beforehand. Breastfeeding should be discontinued in nursing mothers during the treatment. Trastuzumab is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Trastuzumab may interact with monoclonal antibodies (etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, natalizumab), antiviral drugs (indinavir, efavirenz, atazanavir), live vaccines, etc.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have cardiac problems, lung disease, liver/kidney disease or allergic reactions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may cause serious side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeTrastuzumab is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Trastuzumab. Use reliable methods of birth control while on treatment with Trastuzumab.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid nursing your child while on treatment with Trastuzumab as it can cause serious side effects to the baby.
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Trastuzumab. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionLimited data are available on the effect of Trastuzumab in kidney-impaired patients. Hence, if you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor.
Children
unsafeTrastuzumab is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Meditation and yoga have been proven very effective in helping cancer patients maintain a healthy attitude and body.
- Eat more lean meats, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods to give you more energy.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as dehydration is often seen in cancers.
- Taking a stroll in the garden or spending 30 minutes of your time doing some light physical activity can be very useful. However, do not over-exert yourself if you feel too tired.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Avoid intercourse while on treatment with Trastuzumab.
- Regular, complete blood count monitoring is advised during the treatment.
- All patients should be tested for HER2 test before starting the treatment regimen.
- Liver function tests (LFT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) should be performed before starting the treatment and every 4 to 6 weeks during the treatment.
- Regular ECG and electrolytes should be monitored while taking the medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer with abnormal growth in the cells of the breast. There are different kinds of breast cancer, such as cancer occurring in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, a lump or swelling under the arm, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin.
Stomach Cancer (Gastric adenocarcinoma): It is a type of cancer that develops from the stomach lining. When the cancer cells spread to other organs of the body, it is called metastatic. This condition can occur mainly due to smoking, a highly processed or salty diet, and severe bacterial infection of H. pylori. Symptoms of stomach cancer include feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.
FAQs
Trastuzumab is used to treat Breast Cancer and Stomach Cancer.
Trastuzumab contains Trastuzumab, which works by inhibiting the excess production of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in mammalian cells. This causes inhibition of the cancer cell growth.
Inform your doctor whether you have received any other cancer treatment. Trastuzumab may cause a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiomyopathy, hypersensitivity reactions, pulmonary toxicity, and embryo-fetal toxicity during the treatment. Hence, inform your oncologist if you have any cardiovascular conditions, liver/kidney disease, lung problems, are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before receiving Trastuzumab.
Consult the doctor immediately, if you experience symptoms of an infection, such as a high temperature, chills, or feeling unwell despite a normal temperature. It could be due to a reduced white blood cell count caused by Trastuzumab, increasing your risk of severe infections. Additionally, swollen feet or ankles, stomach pain, or lower back pain may indicate heart problems.
It is recommended to wait at least 6 months after completing Trastuzumab therapy before trying to get pregnant. This is because the medication can remain in the body for some time and may potentially affect pregnancy. However, it is essential to consult the doctor for personalized advice and to ensure that it is safe for you to become pregnant after this treatment.
The duration of treatment with Trastuzumab will depend on an individual treatment plan, which your doctor will determine based on your specific condition. It may vary based on personal medical conditions and how you respond to the therapy. In some cases, the treatment duration may be shorter or longer. Always attend follow-up appointments as instructed by the doctor for effective treatment.
Fasting is not typically required before administering Trastuzumab. However, it is always best to follow the doctor's specific instructions regarding preparations before treatment. If fasting is necessary, your doctor will provide detailed guidance.
Trastuzumab should be administered through subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) routes by the doctor or nurse. Do not self-administer.
Trastuzumab should not be administered to patients with HER2-negative cancer cells as it is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which is present in high amounts on the surface of specific cancer cells.
The doctor may recommend heart investigations while you are taking Trastuzumab as it may potentially affect heart function. It has been associated with heart-related side effects, including a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction, which could lead to heart failure in some patients. Monitoring heart health helps detect any issues early, ensuring prompt action to manage the risk. Always follow the doctor's recommendations for regular check-ups during treatment.
During treatment with Trastuzumab for advanced-stage disease, cardiac monitoring was conducted every 3 to 8 months for up to 2 years. However, the doctor will adjust the frequency of heart investigations based on your specific condition and response to treatment. It's essential to follow their advice for optimal monitoring and early detection of any heart-related issues.
The side effects of Trastuzumab include abdominal pain, chills, headache, diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea, back pain, bone pain, oedema, insomnia, fever, dizziness, vomiting, cough, rash, and injection site reactions. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
