Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
Herceptin is a prescription HER2-directed monoclonal antibody containing trastuzumab. It is used in adults for selected HER2-overexpressing adjuvant and metastatic breast cancers and for HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma under labeled treatment criteria.
read more about herceptin ...Trastuzumab binds to the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor. HER2 overexpression can promote tumor-cell growth in certain breast and gastric cancers. Binding of trastuzumab inhibits proliferation of HER2-overexpressing tumor cells and also contributes to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
Herceptin is used for selected HER2-overexpressing breast cancers in adjuvant or metastatic settings. It is also used with cisplatin and either capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil for previously untreated HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Tumor HER2 status is confirmed with an FDA-authorized test.
Dosing depends on the cancer and treatment regimen. Metastatic breast cancer can use a 4 mg per kg loading dose followed by 2 mg per kg weekly. Metastatic gastric cancer uses an 8 mg per kg loading dose followed by 6 mg per kg every three weeks. Adjuvant breast cancer regimens use weekly or every-three-week schedules, and treatment beyond one year is not recommended.
Herceptin carries boxed warnings for cardiomyopathy, infusion reactions, embryo-fetal toxicity, and pulmonary toxicity. Left ventricular function is assessed before and during treatment. Severe infusion reactions and pulmonary complications can occur, and fetal exposure can cause oligohydramnios and related fetal harm.
Herceptin treats selected HER2-overexpressing breast cancers and metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
Tumor tissue is tested for HER2 overexpression or gene amplification with an FDA-authorized test.
Yes. The boxed warnings cover cardiomyopathy, infusion reactions, embryo-fetal toxicity, and pulmonary toxicity.
The schedule depends on the indication and regimen and can be weekly or once every three weeks after the loading dose.
DailyMed - HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=492dbdb2-077e-4064-bff3-372d6af0a7a2. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) Prescribing Information. Genentech. https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/herceptin_prescribing.pdf. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Trastuzumab. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/trastuzumab. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Trastuzumab. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Trastuzumab-qyyp. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Trastuzumab Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699019.html. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.