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How long can I stay on Herceptin?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 4, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Herceptin, blocks HER2 function (Her2 is a type of protein found in 15-20% of all breast cancers which makes the cancer more aggressive).

Treatment regimens for Herceptin vary depending on hospital protocols, but for the treatment of HER2+ early breast cancer, treatment is usually continued for one year (up to 18 cycles).

Some women are kept on Herceptin long-term if their cancer progresses. How long a women can stay on Herceptin for is not known. The main concerns with long-term therapy are the potential cardiac side effects of Herceptin.

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If you are receiving Perjeta for treatment of HER2+ early breast cancer, you may continue treatments with Herceptin every 3 weeks for one year (18 cycles total). For the treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, you will receive Perjeta and Herceptin until the medicine no longer controls your breast cancer or you have side effects that require you to stop treatment. You may receive other treatments with these medications. Continue reading

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