TRASTUZUMAB

It is used for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer that is Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and has spread into the lymph nodes, or is HER2-positive and has not spread into the lymph nodes. If it has not spread into the lymph nodes, the cancer needs to be estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR)-negative or have one high risk feature.

Dosage

IV; 2-8 mg/kg infusion, dosage varied

Special Precautions

Cardiac monitoring to be done Paediatric: Safety and efficacy in children not yet established Pregnancy: Category D Elderly: Caution to be exercised

Side Effects

Flu-like syndrome, back pain, neck pain, malaise, allergic reaction. Reduced ejection fraction signs & symptoms of heart failure eg, dyspnea & orthopnea. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Leucopenia, hypertonia. Rash. Asthma, dyspnea, pharyngitis & rhinitis. Cardiomyopathy, infusion reaction, embyo-fetal toxicity, pulmonary toxicity, neutropenia