Infusion time - Herceptin q3w

dlaxague · 07-10-2006, 04:59 PM

Hi all, I'm asking for a friend who previously got her every-three-week Herceptin in 30 minutes, changed providers, and now they give it over 90 minutes. This bothers her considerably - not physically - it's that she doesn't like to spend the extra time there. Especially since she previously had no problems with a 30 minute infusion on the same schedule.

I've looked at the archives and I see that there's quite a variety of infusion times. Genentech says that they have no recommendation regarding infusion time of every-three-week administration, as Herceptin is approved for use in metastatic bc only weekly, although of course they're aware it's often given every three weeks. They sent me reports from several small studies, one of which did give Herceptin over 30 minutes on a q3w schedule.

So my questions (finally) are - has anyone had trouble with q3w 30 minute dosing, and had the infusion time extended because of it? Did you tolerate it initially and then begin to have trouble? Or did you have trouble from the first infusion?

How many are getting, or have gotten, the q3w 30 minute infusion without problems.

Thanks for your help,
Debbie L.

Linda · 07-10-2006, 05:13 PM

I have my every 3 week herceptin over one hour. When I asked my onc about the infusion time, she said that there were no established/tested rules about infusion times. So, according to her, if I was having my infusion over one hour without side effects or problems, they would continue over one hour. I would imagine that your friend's drs had the same opinion about a 30 minute infusion as well as a 90 minute one. In other words, they don't know! So as long as you're ok, it seems like any reasonable, commonly used time is considered ok.
L

Barbara H. · 07-10-2006, 05:13 PM

I have been getting it for 30 minutes every three weeks at the Dana Farber with no pre-meds for the past 2 years. I have no problems with it.
Barbara H.

Sheila · 07-10-2006, 05:23 PM

I also get it in Chicago over 30 minutes q3weeks for the past 2 1/2 years....had one today!

Andi · 07-10-2006, 07:07 PM

I have been receiving my herceptin every 3 weeks in 30 minute infusions with no premeds and no problems. I am being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester but spent the winter in Phoenix so I recieved my treatments at Mayo in Scottsdale. They always wanted to make me take it over 90 minutes, but I got the doc to order the 30 minutes. The staff in the infusion room always acted like it was highly unusual, so there are differences even within the same medical system.

Barbara · 07-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Hi:

When I receive my Q3wk Herceptin in 30 minutes I have an allergy attack. I have no problem when the infusion is done in 60-90 minutes. I can recall other posts where women have reported asthma attacks from the 30 minute infusion and no problem with the 90 minute infusion. One nurse told me the protocol for Q3wk is 90 minutes.

Barb

Maggie · 07-10-2006, 08:00 PM

My every 3 week Herceptin is 90 minutes. I started with Tylenol and Benadryl then stopped them one at a time. I'm in PA!

Maggie

JoyMiller · 07-10-2006, 09:05 PM

I was getting Herceptin weekly and have ended my year in June. I was most comfortable with a 2 hour, but could get by with 90 minutes. I felt awful for 3 days if I had any less than 90 minutes.

dlaxague · 07-11-2006, 06:43 AM

Thanks, everyone. I've copy/pasted your responses (without names), and will give those (and the studies that Genentech helpfully sent) to my friend so she can discuss them with her onc next week. I know it's not a major thing but as you know, it can help to feel that you have some control, and that you are listened to.

Debbie L.

cathy34 · 07-11-2006, 07:28 AM

3 weeks for 90 mins. Only took tylenol. Then recently I was getting the herceptin once a week for 30 mins also with tylenol. Since I'm scheduled to start Doxil on an every 3 week cycle again, I'm moving the herceptin to every 3 weeks again.
The once every 3 weeks for 90 min and once a week infusions for 30 min all come out to be the same in the long run anyway. It's all calculated by body weight and stays in your system for the same amounts of time.