Side Effects

Herceptin Side Effects

Herceptin (trastuzumab) may cause a range of side effects, from mild to severe. The most common side effects reported include fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, and fatigue[1]. These can affect patients being treated for both breast cancer and stomach cancer[3].

Below is a list of common and serious side effects associated with Herceptin:

  • Fever[1]
  • Nausea and vomiting[1][3][4]
  • Infusion reactions (such as chills, fever, rigors, and sometimes shortness of breath or low blood pressure)[1][2][3][4]
  • Diarrhea[1][2][3][4][6]
  • Infections (including upper respiratory tract infections)[1][2][4][6]
  • Increased cough[1][2][4][6]
  • Headache[1][4][5]
  • Fatigue[1][4][6]
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)[4][5]
  • Rash[2][4]
  • Low white and red blood cell counts (neutropenia, anemia)[2][4][6][7]
  • Muscle soreness or pain (myalgia)[4][5][6]
  • Mouth sores (stomatitis)[2][3][6]
  • Pain (bone pain, joint pain)[3][5]
  • Weight loss[2][4][6]
  • Ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth[1]
  • Peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips)[1][7]
  • Changes in taste[2][4][6]
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)[2]

Serious and potentially life-threatening side effects are also possible and may require medical attention:

  • Heart failure or decreased heart function. Herceptin may cause congestive heart failure, especially when combined with certain chemotherapy drugs. Heart function should be monitored during treatment[2][6].
  • Pulmonary toxicity (including interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome)[2][6].
  • Serious infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema[2][6].
  • Severe infections (such as sepsis or pneumonia)[2][7].
  • Blood cell disorders like neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts), which can lead to bleeding, bruising, and increased risk of infections[6][7].
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure[7].
  • Tumor lysis syndrome (release of harmful substances into the blood due to rapid cancer cell breakdown)[7].
  • Fetal toxicity: Herceptin can cause serious harm to unborn babies and should not be used during pregnancy[2].

It is important to note that not everyone taking Herceptin will experience these side effects, and some reactions may occur more frequently than others depending on the type of cancer being treated and concurrent therapies. Patients are advised to inform their healthcare team of any new or worsening symptoms while on Herceptin[2][3].

References

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *