Dosage and administration in early breast cancer
For EBC, Herceptin (iv) can be administered as a 3-weekly or weekly regimen following surgery, standard chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and radiotherapy (if applicable).
Herceptin has also been investigated as a weekly regimen concomitantly with paclitaxel following 4 cycles of Anthracyclines.
Table 2.2 Recommended dosing instructions for Herceptin
To administer Herceptin, each 150 mg vial should be reconstituted with 7.2 mL sterile water for injection, swirling rather than shaking to avoid foaming. Reconstitution yields a single-dose solution containing approximately 21 mg/mL Herceptin. The volume of reconstituted Herceptin required for dosing should be calculated according to patient body weight as follows:
| Volume (mL) = |
Body weight (kg) x required concentration (mg/kg) 21 (mg/mL [concentration of reconstituted solution]) |
The appropriate amount of Herceptin solution should be added to an infusion bag containing 250 mL 0.9% sodium chloride, inverting the solution to mix in order to avoid foaming. Herceptin should not be administered as an intravenous push or bolus.
For further information on Herceptin administration and dosing see the