Perjeta Information and Uses

Perjeta

Perjeta (generic: pertuzumab) is a prescription medication used with other medications to treat a certain type of breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. Perjeta is specifically designed to treat people with HER2-positive breast cancer. Perjeta belongs to a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

This medication comes in an injectable form and is given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare provider, usually once every 3 weeks.

Common side effects of Perjeta include diarrhea, hair loss, upset stomach, fatigue, and rash

Uses of Perjeta

Perjeta is a prescription medicine for use along with trastuzumab and docetaxel (chemotherapy) to treat breast cancer that has spread to different parts of the body. Perjeta has been shown to work only in people with HER2-positive breast cancer, and people who have not received anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Perjeta

Serious side effects can occur. See "Black Box Warning"

Other possible side effects of Perjeta therapy include:

Heart problems: Perjeta can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure). Your doctor may run tests to monitor your heart function before and during treatment with Perjeta
Infusion-related reactions: Perjeta is a medicine that is delivered into a vein through a needle. This process can cause reactions known as infusion-related reactions. The most common infusion-related reactions when receiving Perjeta, trastuzumab, and docetaxel (chemotherapy) were fatigue, loss of taste, allergic reactions, muscle pain, and vomiting
Severe allergic reactions: Some people receiving Perjeta may have severe allergic reactions, calledhypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis. This reaction may be severe, may happen quickly, and may affect many areas of the body

The most common side effects of Perjeta when given with trastuzumab and docetaxel (chemotherapy) are:

Diarrhea
Hair loss
Low levels of white blood cells with or without a fever
Upset stomach
Fatigue
Rash
Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)

Perjeta Interactions

No Perjeta drug interactions have been identified, however, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Perjeta Precautions

Most Serious Side Effect: Receiving Perjeta during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects (see "Black Box Warning").
- If you are exposed to Perjeta during pregnancy, you are encouraged to enroll in the MotHER Pregnancy Registry by contacting 1 (800) 690-6720.

Perjeta Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Perjeta there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Perjeta.

Inform MD

Before receiving Perjeta, tell your doctor if you:

are allergic to Perjeta or any other medicines
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (see "Black Box Warning")
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
have heart disease

Tell your doctor what prescription medicines you take as well as non-prescription medicines, vitamin, and herbal supplements.

Perjeta and Pregnancy

Receiving Perjeta during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects (see "Black Box Warning").

If you are exposed to Perjeta during pregnancy, you are encouraged to enroll in the MotHER Pregnancy Registry by contacting 1 (800) 690-6720.
It is important that you use effective birth control while receiving Perjeta and for 6 months after the last dose.

Perjeta and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Perjeta is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Perjeta Usage

Perjeta comes as a solution to administer slowly into a vein (intravenous infusion). Perjeta is administered by a doctor or nurse in a medical office, infusion center, or hospital. This medicine is usually given once every 3 weeks.

It should take 60 minutes for you to receive your first dose of Perjeta. A doctor or nurse will watch you closely to see how your body reacts to this medicine. If you do not have any serious problems when you receive your first dose of Perjeta, it will usually take 30 to 60 minutes for you to receive each of your remaining doses of the medication.

Perjeta Dosage

For intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.
The initial dose is 840 mg administered as a 60-minute intravenous infusion, followed every 3 weeks thereafter by 420 mg administered as a 30 to 60 minute intravenous infusion.