Herceptin Injection
Hi There. I have been told Herceptin injection will be available soon. Has anyone had one already. Don't want to jump out of frying pan into fire! :)
Forum Discussion
Hello, it's Lisa from the Policy Team. A new form of Herceptin, called Herceptin SC, has been listed on the PBS for people with HER2-positive breast cancer. As you said, it is administered as an injection which takes about 2 to 5 minutes to deliver. We have developed a Beacon article which provides more information about this new form of Herceptin. You can read the article here. If you would like to know whether Herceptin SC might be suitable for you, it would be best to talk to you medical oncologist.
Warm regards,
LisaHi, I'm getting herceptin via IV at the mo. I've heard conflicting stories on whether it will be available to me. I've heard of at least one place that is using it already.
I asked my chemo nurses about it last time I went in for my herceptin, she asked an on duty oncologist he just shrugged his shoulders. I am very interested in finding if it would suit as k have another to go and my veins are useless so its a drama everytime I have an IV. Guess I'll have to wait till July to see my oncologist.
Cheers Jen ?? ?? ?? xx
Hi. The Herceptin injection is being offered at my chemo unit. The chemo nurses discussed it with me on Tuesday as an option I may wish to consider. I was told that the injection is on average about 5 mls. The dose is still based on the weight of the patient. It goes in the upper thigh. It takes about 3-5 minutes to receive this drug opposed to 30 -45 minutes to receive it by IV. It's common to get a raised bump at the injection site but that goes down in a couple of hours as the body absorbs the drug. It is being offered to women who are already receiving Herceptin by IV as studies have shown no real concerns switching between the two different delivery methods. I guess new patients may also be offered it. At least 3 women in my chemo unit are having the injections. I was also told there are no plans to allow the injections to be self administered (like Neulasta) at this stage.
Not sure if I will take it up especially since I just had a second surgery to correct my port.
Cheers
Nadine
That is very interesting Nadine, I will ask again when I go in for mine tomorrow. I spend on average 2 1/2 hrs each time for mine as my veins are terrible and still have another 8 treatments to go.
Cheers Jen ?? ?? ?? xx
You must be on the same timetable as me Jenny. I have 8 to go as well.
N
- @Jennybutter have you finished all your herceptin treatments? I was running out of good veins during chemo and chemo drugs leaked and damaging surrounding tissues around my wrist so had to get picc line inserted. I've finished chemo and will start the herceptin and wondering if I should keep my picc line for my herceptin or take my picc line out and take herceptin through iv or through injections. what was your experience like through iv?
- I am Her2 positive and started Herceptin s/c Friday 2nd. I will continue this for 12 months on 3 weekly cycle. Also started chemo at same time but that goes for 6 x 3 weekly cycles. Don't think I experienced any side effects from herceptin. Only side effects were from chemo. The injection was administered in thigh and was not painful. My oncologist assures me that herceptin is very effective for this type of cancer. I have done further research myself and this backs up all that has been said. My oncologist said side effect to watch for was changes to heart so heart ultra sound before and regular checks along the way. I felt relieved when it was being injected as I felt as it is a target therapy, was going straight to the point. Unlike chemo. Lucky for us it is available on PBS. Warm wishes to you.
Sue P - @Payne
Thanks Payne, it helps to relieve my anxiety a little bit to know that the injection was not painful.
Hugs, Liana xx - yes, I have been told the same and they put a portal int the thigh for the injection. They say heart issues are not common, however they say a lot of things! just be reassured the cost of Herceptin if you had to pay would be thousands!! previously $70,000 as I know of some who paid for it, so maybe we a lucky to have if available
