Herceptin is a drug based on monoclonal antibodies, from the Roche laboratory, which acts directly on the cancer cell and is very effective against some types of cancer.
This medicine has a price of approximately 10 thousand reais and is available in SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde.
What is it for
Herceptin is indicated for the treatment of people with metastatic breast cancer, initial breast cancer and advanced gastric cancer.
How to use
Herceptin should be administered 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 of body weight, which can be administered in a 30-minute infusion.
If used every 3 weeks, the initial loading dose 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 the infusion can be reduced to 30 minutes.
This medicine can be administered in conjunction with paclitaxel or docetaxel.
2. Stomach cancer
This medicine should be used every 3 weeks and the initial attack dose is 8 mg / kg of body weight, followed by 6 mg / kg of body weight, which must be repeated every 3 weeks, in infusions lasting about 90 minutes. If this dose is well tolerated, the duration of the 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, reduced white blood cell count, decreased or increased weight, reduced appetite, insomnia, dizziness, head, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, decreased taste, watering, conjunctivitis, lymphedema, hot flashes, shortness of breath, epistaxis, cough, runny nose and pain in the mouth and pharynx.
In addition, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, poor digestion, constipation, stomatitis, erythema, rash , hair loss, nail disorders and muscle pain can also occur.
Who should not use
This remedy should not be used in people with allergies to any of the formula's components, pregnant and lactating women.
This medication has not been tested on children, adolescents, the elderly and individuals with renal or hepatic impairment, and its use should be done with caution.
