Trastuzumab is given in a hospital or clinic.
It can be given in 2 ways:
- through a drip (infusion) – the first treatment usually takes about 90 minutes and further treatments take about 30 minutes
- by an injection into your thigh – this takes a few minutes and is used for breast cancer only
The first time you have trastuzumab you'll need to stay in the hospital or clinic for up to 6 hours so you can be monitored for any side effects. For further treatments you'll usually only need to stay up to 2 hours.
If you have breast cancer, you'll either have treatment once a week, or once every 3 weeks. Early-stage breast cancer will need treatment for 1 year.
Stomach and oesophageal cancer are usually treated once every 3 weeks.
For breast, oesophageal or stomach cancer that's spread, treatment is used for as long as it's helpful.
How herceptin is given
Drip (infusion)
Your dose of trastuzumab will be calculated according to your body weight.
It will also depend on which type of cancer you have and whether you're having treatment every week or every 3 weeks.
After your 1st treatment you'll be given a slightly lower dose. After your 2nd treatment your dose should stay the same.
If you get side effects that bother you, then you may be given a lower dose.
Injection into your thigh (subcutaneous)
For early breast cancer you'll be given one injection every 3 weeks. Your dose will stay the same for all your treatments.