This was discussed last week on this board so I went on a fact-finding mission since after several years I'm beginning to have a reaction to Herceptin. I asked my Dr. what they mix my Herceptin with (in office) and he responded with just saline, which was correct, but when the nurse brought in the Herceptin box, there are 2 vials inside, one the Herceptin and the other a dilutant containing benzyl alcolhol. These are mixed together first because each vial is 4-5 doses, and then it's diluted with saline for each individual patient. It's going to be a problem to mix my dose with just saline because they can't waste the other 4 doses (thousands of dollars!) and it would have to be used within 6-8 hours. So the point is . . . even though your Dr. may order your Herceptin diluted with only saline, the manufacturer has already included the preservative in the packaging.
Jill
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