Pertuzumab injection may cause serious or life-threatening heart problems, including heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack or if you have or ever had high blood pressure, heart failure, an abnormal heart rhythm, or heart disease. Your doctor will check your heart function before and during your treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: shortness of breath; cough; swelling of the ankles, legs, or face; rapid heartbeat; sudden weight gain; dizziness; or loss of consciousness.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving pertuzumab injection. . You may need to have a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 7 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant during treatment with pertuzumab injection, or think you might be pregnant, call your doctor immediately. Pertuzumab may harm the fetus.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests before and during your treatment to check your body's response to pertuzumab injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risk of treatment with pertuzumab injection.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Pertuzumab injection is available as different products that are biologic medications (medications made from living organisms). These medications are considered to be "biosimilar" to pertuzumab injection which means they work just as well and are just as safe to use as pertuzumab injection. Pertuzumab injection mentioned in the monograph below refers to any of these products.
Why is this medicine prescribed?
Pertuzumab injection is used with other medications to treat certain types of breast cancer. Pertuzumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Pertuzumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected into a vein over 30 to 60 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. It is given every 3 weeks. The length of your treatment depends on how well your body responds to the medication and the side effects that you experience.
Pertuzumab injection may cause serious or life-threatening reactions that may occur while the medication is being given and for a period of time afterwards. Your doctor or nurse will watch you carefully while you receive each dose of pertuzumab injection, and for 30 to 60 minutes afterward. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you experience any of the following symptoms during or shortly after your infusion: swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; shortness of breath; wheezing or trouble breathing; hoarseness; difficulty swallowing; hives, rash; itching; fever; chills; unusual tiredness or weakness; headache; vomiting; unusual taste in the mouth; or muscle pain. Your doctor may need to slow down your infusion, or delay or stop your treatment if you experience these or other side effects.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving pertuzumab injection,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving pertuzumab injection.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of pertuzumab injection.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Pertuzumab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
- decrease in appetite
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
- teary eyes
- dry skin
- change in the appearance of nails
- hair loss
- mouth sores or blisters
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNINGS and HOW sections, call your doctor immediately:
- sore throat, fever, chills, cough, difficult or painful urination, and other signs of infection
- excessive tiredness or pale skin
- rash with blisters on hands and feet
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Pertuzumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Your healthcare provider will store your medication.
What other information should I know?
Your doctor will order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with pertuzumab injection.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.