Trastuzumab Dosing: An Introduction
The dose of
trastuzumab (
Herceptin®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
As is always the case, do not adjust your trastuzumab dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
There are several different dosing regimens for trastuzumab, based on the severity of your cancer and the other treatments you have tried or are currently using. Your healthcare provider will carefully choose an appropriate dosage based on these factors.
Because the dose is calculated using your weight, it is important for your healthcare providers to have an accurate weight on record for you. If your weight changes significantly (and your healthcare provider has not recently weighed you), be sure to mention this to your healthcare provider.
General Dosing Information for Trastuzumab
Considerations for people taking trastuzumab include the following:
- Trastuzumab is given intravenously (by IV) or every three weeks, depending on the particular dosing regimen.
- Your first trastuzumab infusion will last 90 minutes, and subsequent infusions may be shorter, depending on the particular dosing regimen.
- Most people receive their trastuzumab infusion at their healthcare provider's office, a hospital, or at an "infusion center."
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Trastuzumab will not work as well if you stop taking it before your healthcare provider recommends.
- If you are unsure about anything related to trastuzumab or your trastuzumab dosage, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
