Uses
This product contains 3 ingredients: pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase. It is used to treat a certain type of breast cancer. The cancer cells make more than the usual amount of a certain substance in your body (HER2 protein). Pertuzumab and trastuzumab belong to a class of medications known as monoclonal antibodies. These medications work by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. This product also contains hyaluronidase, which helps your body absorb pertuzumab and trastuzumab given by injection under the skin.
This monograph is about the following pertuzumab/trastuzumab/hyaluronidase product: pertuzumab/trastuzumab/hyaluronidase-zzxf.
How To Use
This medication is given by slow injection under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once every 3 weeks. The injection is given under the skin on the thigh by a health care professional, usually over about 5 to 8 minutes. The injection site and side should be changed each time to lessen injury under the skin.
The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark the days on the calendar when you need to receive the medication.
Serious reactions, including an allergic reaction, may happen with your injection. Careful monitoring may decrease your risk. A health care professional should watch you for at least 30 minutes after your first injection and for 15 minutes after the following injections to make sure you do not have a reaction. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as fever, chills, flushing, headache, nausea/vomiting, coughing, chest pain, trouble breathing, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, weakness, or feeling faint.
Your doctor may prescribe other medications (such as acetaminophen, diphenhydramine) for you to take before each dose to help prevent serious side effects. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
Side Effects
See also Warning and How to Use sections.
Redness/irritation/pain at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, tiredness, weakness, trouble sleeping, muscle/joint/back pain, stomach/abdominal pain, changes in how food tastes, and loss of appetite may occur. Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush your teeth carefully/gently, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth often with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt. It may also be best to eat soft, moist foods. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.
People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- bone pain
- numbness/tingling
- mental/mood changes
This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).
This medication can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
See also Warning section.
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, or hyaluronidase; or to any trastuzumab deruxtecan, or trastuzumab emtansine products; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- current/recent infection
- heart problems (such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat)
- high blood pressure
- lung problems
- previous cancer treatments (including radiation treatment)
This medication can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using this medication before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be at greater risk for loss of appetite, anemia, numbness/tingling, changes in how food tastes, or heart problems (such as heart failure) while using this drug.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using this medication. This medication may harm an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age should have a pregnancy test before starting this medication. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 7 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding while using this medication and for 7 months after stopping treatment.
Drug Interactions
See also Warning section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Trastuzumab is very similar to trastuzumab deruxtecan and trastuzumab emtansine. Do not use a trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine product while using a trastuzumab product.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Lab and/or medical tests (such as heart exams, HER2 testing, complete blood count, blood pressure) should be done before you start using this medication and while you are using it. Heart exams should also be done every 6 months for at least 2 years after the last dose. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
Missed Dose
It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
