Herclon
Herclon Products are primarily used for
Breast cancer, Stomach cancer
About Herclon Products
Herclon Products side effects
Common
Side Effects of Herclon are Chills, Diarrhea, Fever, Headache, Nausea, Back pain, Vomiting, Weakness, Breathlessness.
How Herclon Products work
Trastuzumab is a recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody. It works against the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein) receptors which are responsible for the over-proliferation of cancer cells in breast cancer and stomach cancer cells. It destroys the cancer cells by inhibiting HER2. It also inhibits various cancer-causing downstream signaling pathways.
Patient Concerns about Herclon Products
Frequently asked questions about Herclon Products
Frequently asked questions about Trastuzumab
Q. What are the serious side effects of Herclon Injection?
There are various side effects related to Herclon Injection such as sore throat, fever, chills, excessive tiredness, pale skin, nosebleeds, and other unusual bruising or bleeding. One can also experience stomach pain, seizures, hallucinations, muscle cramps, and spasms. Along with that, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, rapid heart beat, discoloration of urine; decreased amount of urine, difficulty in urinating, pain when urinating, and other signs of infection can also be observed with the use of Herclon Injection. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any such symptoms.
Q. How long after Herclon Injection therapy can I get pregnant?
Women of child-bearing age should use effective contraception during Herclon Injection therapy and for 7 months after completing the treatment. You can plan your pregnancy after 7 months of treatment with Herclon Injection.
Q. How long should Herclon Injection be taken?
Patients with early breast cancer should take Herclon Injection for 1 year or until disease recurs, whichever occurs first. It is not advised to extend the treatment beyond 1 year in patients of early breast cancer.
Q. Is fasting required before administering Herclon Injection?
No, fasting is not required before administering Herclon Injection. It should be given under the guidance of a doctor who is experienced in giving cancer chemotherapy and should be given only by a healthcare professional.
Q. How is Herclon Injection given, intravenously or intramuscularly?
There are 2 different formulations available for administration of Herclon Injection, one is given as an infusion into a vein (intravenous infusion) and the other is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It is important to check the product labels to ensure that the correct formulation is being given as prescribed. Herclon Injection intravenous formulation is not for subcutaneous use and should be given as an intravenous infusion only. Your doctor may consider switching your Herclon Injection intravenous treatment to Herclon Injection subcutaneous treatment (and vice versa) if considered appropriate for you.
Q. Can Herclon Injection be given to HER2 negative cancer patients?
No, Herclon Injection cannot be given in patients with HER2 negative cancer cells. Herclon Injection belongs to class of monoclonal antibody. It binds selectively to a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). HER2 is found, in large amounts, on the surface of some cancer cells. When Herclon Injection binds to HER2, it stops the growth and spread of the cancer cells. Therefore, it is only effective in HER2 positive patients (in which HER2 is present) and will not be beneficial for HER2 negative patients (in which HER2 is not present).
Q. Why has my doctor advised for investigations of heart?
Herclon Injection when used with anthracycline class of anti-cancer medicines (eg doxorubicin) may adversely affect your heart. Hence, your doctor needs to check the health of your heart initially before starting treatment and during treatment.
Q. How frequently heart investigations are required?
Heart investigations should be performed at the starting of the treatment. It should be repeated every 3 months during treatment and every 6 months after the discontinuation of treatment until 24 months from the last administration of Herclon Injection. Those patients who already have heart-related problems will require investigations every 12 weeks.