What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- chest pain
- cough or hoarseness
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fever or chills
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- pain
- severe weakness
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Allergic reactions: A severe reaction, including dizziness, confusion, chills, fever, and difficulty breathing may be experienced by some people. These symptoms are usually felt within 24 hours of receiving trastuzumab and the majority of reactions only occur with the first dose. The first dose of trastuzumab is given over a longer period of time to try and prevent this reaction.
Heart disease: This medication can cause heart problems in some people. Those with heart disease are more at risk for these problems.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.
Lung: Severe lung or breathing complications may occur with this medication. Those with lung disease are more at risk for these problems.
Pregnancy: Studies of this drug have not been carried out with pregnant women. However, because of the potential of this agent to cause harm to the fetus, effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if trastuzumab passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way trastuzumab works, be affected by trastuzumab, or increase the risk of side effects:
- doxorubicin or epirubicin
- paclitaxel
- other cancer drugs
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.