Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody drug from Roche that acts directly on the cancer cell and is very effective against some types of cancer.
This medicine has a price of approximately 10, 000 reais and is available in the SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde.
What is it for
Herceptin is indicated for the treatment of people with metastatic breast cancer, early breast cancer and advanced gastric cancer.
How to use
Herceptin should be given by a healthcare professional:
1. Breast cancer
If used weekly, an initial loading dose of 4 mg / kg body weight should be administered as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes. Subsequent weekly doses should be 2 mg / kg body weight, which may be administered in a 30-minute infusion.
If used every 3 weeks, the initial dose of attack is 8 mg / kg body weight, followed by 6 mg / kg body weight every 3 weeks in infusions lasting about 90 minutes. If this dose is well tolerated, the duration of infusion can be reduced to 30 minutes.
This medicine may be given with paclitaxel or docetaxel.
2. Stomach cancer
This medicinal product should be used every 3 weeks and the initial dose of attack is 8 mg / kg body weight, followed by 6 mg / kg body weight, which should be repeated every 3 weeks in infusions lasting about of 90 minutes. If this dose is well tolerated, the duration of infusion can be reduced to 30 minutes.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with Herceptin are nasopharyngitis, infection, anemia, thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, decreased white blood cell count, decreased or increased weight, decreased appetite, insomnia, dizziness, headache, paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, decreased taste, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, lymphedema, heat waves, shortness of breath, epistaxis, cough, runny nose and sore mouth and pharynx.
In addition, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, poor digestion, constipation, stomatitis, erythema, rash, hair loss, nail disorders, and muscle pain may also occur.
Who should not use
This medication should not be used in people who are allergic to any of the ingredients of the formula, pregnant or breastfeeding.
This drug has not been tested in children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with renal or hepatic impairment, and its use should be made with caution.
