Herceptin
® (
trastuzumab) is a drug used to treat
breast cancer in adults. Specifically, it is used to treat breast cancers that have a high concentration of HER2 receptors. "HER2" is a specific type of protein located on the outside of cancer cells. Herceptin binds to these proteins, which prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
Before beginning treatment with Herceptin, discuss this drug's safety information with your healthcare provider. Although Herceptin is not a type of chemotherapy medication and is not as "toxic" as chemotherapy, it does pose certain risks for some people. For example, you may not be able to take Herceptin if you have
heart disease, lung problems, or certain
allergies.
(Click Herceptin for more information on using this medicine to treat breast cancer. Topics discussed in this article include dosing guidelines, potential side effects, and safety issues to be aware of while taking it.)
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