What is the most important information I should know about trastuzumab?
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could
harm the unborn baby. Use effective
birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant
during treatment.
Before receiving trastuzumab, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart
failure, a history of heart attack, or any allergies or breathing problems. You may not be able to
receive trastuzumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Some people receiving a trastuzumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion
(when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your
caregiver right away if you feel dizzy,
nauseated, light-headed, weak,
itchy, or
short of breath during the injection.
What is trastuzumab?
Trastuzumab is a cancer medication. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and
slows their growth and spread in your body.
Trastuzumab is used to treat breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with other
chemotherapy.
Trastuzumab may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving trastuzumab?
Before using trastuzumab, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
heart disease;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
a history of heart attack; or
-
any allergies or breathing problems.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive
trastuzumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category D. Trastuzumab can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Do not use trastuzumab without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use
effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
If you are pregnant, your name may need to be listed on a Cancer and Childbirth registry
when you start using this medication.
It is not known whether trastuzumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
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