Herceptin SC Dosage/Direction for Use

HER2 testing is mandatory prior to initiation of therapy (see Precautions and Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions). Herceptin treatment should only be initiated by a physician experienced in the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy (see Precautions), and should be administered by a healthcare professional only.
It is important to check the product labels to ensure that the correct formulation (intravenous or subcutaneous fixed dose) is being administered to the patient, as prescribed. Herceptin subcutaneous formulation is not intended for intravenous administration and should be administered via a subcutaneous injection only.
Switching treatment between Herceptin intravenous and Herceptin subcutaneous formulations and vice versa, using the three-weekly (q3w) dosing regimen, was investigated in study MO22982 (see Adverse Reactions).
In order to prevent medication errors it is important to check the vial labels to ensure that the drug being prepared and administered is Herceptin (trastuzumab) and not Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine).
Posology: The recommended dose for Herceptin subcutaneous formulation is 600 mg irrespective of the patient's body weight. No loading dose is required. This dose should be administered subcutaneously over 2-5 minutes every three weeks.
In the pivotal trial (BO22227) Herceptin subcutaneous formulation was administered in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting in patients with early breast cancer. The preoperative chemotherapy regimen consisted of docetaxel (75 mg/m²) followed by FEC (5FU, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) at a standard dose.
See Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions for chemotherapy combination dosing.
Duration of treatment: Patients with MBC should be treated with Herceptin until progression of disease. Patients with EBC should be treated with Herceptin for 1 year or until disease recurrence, whichever occurs first; extending treatment in EBC beyond one year is not recommended (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Dose reduction: No reductions in the dose of Herceptin were made during clinical trials. Patients may continue therapy during periods of reversible, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression but they should be monitored carefully for complications of neutropenia during this time. Refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for paclitaxel, docetaxel or aromatase inhibitor for information on dose reduction or delays.
If left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) percentage drops ≥10 points from baseline AND to below 50%, treatment should be suspended and a repeat LVEF assessment performed within approximately 3 weeks. If LVEF has not improved, or has declined further, or if symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF) has developed, discontinuation of Herceptin should be strongly considered, unless the benefits for the individual patient are deemed to outweigh the risks. All such patients should be referred for assessment by a cardiologist and followed up.
Missed doses: If the patient misses a dose of Herceptin subcutaneous formulation, it is recommended to administer the next 600 mg dose (i.e. the missed dose) as soon as possible. The interval between consecutive Herceptin subcutaneous formulation administrations should not be less than three weeks.
Special populations: Dedicated pharmacokinetic studies in the elderly and those with renal or hepatic impairment have not been carried out. In a population pharmacokinetic analysis, age and renal impairment were not shown to affect trastuzumab disposition.
Paediatric population: There is no relevant use of Herceptin in the paediatric population.
Method of administration: The 600 mg dose should be administered as a subcutaneous injection only over 2-5 minutes every three weeks. The injection site should be alternated between the left and right thigh. New injections should be given at least 2.5 cm from the old site and never into areas where the skin is red, bruised, tender, or hard. During the treatment course with Herceptin subcutaneous formulation other medicinal products for subcutaneous administration should preferably be injected at different sites. Patients should be observed for six hours after the first injection and for two hours after subsequent injections for signs or symptoms of administration-related reactions (see Precautions and Adverse Reactions).
For instructions on use and handling of Herceptin subcutaneous formulation refer to Special precautions for disposal and other handling under Cautions for Usage.