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Old 12-07-2006, 11:51 PM   #1
Chelee
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Herceptin & discard date?

I did a search on the shelf life of herceptin. I found one that Gina started back in January. I had the same concern she did.

They tell me they don't mix my herceptin till I get there for my infusion. But one time I went to the rest room during my herceptin infusion. While in there I was looking at the bag on the pole and just reading the amount given, name, etc. But I noticed at the bottom of the bag on the yellow label that was made out with my name on it, "If not used before 10-15-06 return to pharmacy and discard".

I questioned this because it was one day later "10-16-06". It made me think I was getting herceptin that was pass its shelf life? I never brought it up to my infusion nurse nor anyone else there. I HAVE checked the bag each time since and the discard date has been correct now...but why is there even a discard date to begin with when I am TOLD they don't make mind up till I am sitting in the chair? Even my nurse tells me she will go tell the pharmacy I am here.

Does that mean I got herceptin that might not of been any good that one time?

Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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Old 12-08-2006, 04:44 PM   #2
Chelee
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I will assume nobody has an answer to this? O'well...just thought I would ask..thanks anyway.

Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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Old 12-08-2006, 07:50 PM   #3
Sheila
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Chelee
I would ask the pharmacy about this....its bad enough when they have milk, bread etc. past shelf life, but Herceptin????? You should get a discount on that treatment!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 12-08-2006, 09:56 PM   #4
jener8er
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Smile

Hi Chelee, I would bet that it is the SALINE that has the expiration date. When my nurses mix my Herceptin, again after I am in the chair, it is mixed from a small vial and mixed with a bag of saline. I would bet that that expiration only aplies to the saline (which I'm sure is fine) and that your Herceptin is WELL within the expiration date. If I evered wondered about anything like this, I would just flat out ask my nurse. Hey, they work for ME, right?
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Jen
DX 10/04 IDC Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2+++
4/20+ Lymph nodes
Stage 3a
Age 38, CA
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Old 12-08-2006, 09:56 PM   #5
Bev
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I don't know how long it lasts but I vaguely remember Gina saying not long. I have never looked at the labels, but I would guess your only choice would be to refuse treatment that day and insist they prepare something new and properly labeled for the next day.

People delay and go off Herceptin for many reasons, so I would hope one old batch won't change things. Good Luck, BB
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Old 12-09-2006, 12:53 AM   #6
Chelee
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jener8er, The yellow label that was on the bag was definitely herceptin and not the saline. Every week that I have went in I always would check out the label in the rest room to see if everything was correct? Its made up just like a prescription bottles label of any medication you would get. Has the name of herceptin on it and the generic name below it "trastuzumab". Then it said how many mgs was in the bag, my name, birth date, lenght of time to infuse it, and discard date at the bottom. (Plus it even mentions it should be given in 90 minutes if its the loading dose.) So I really can't see it being saline. But thanks for trying to figure out another reason for it being that way.


Shelia, I think your right...I should get a discount on that one. Ha...I never thought of that one. I am going to have to ask my infusion nurse why it was like that? Its been driving me crazy thinking I got old stuff that might not of been fresh enough to do its job. There are reasons for discard dates...and I personally take it seriously when it comes to my herceptin.

It makes me think someone didn't show up for their herceptin...so they saved it and gave it to me instead of tossing it out since its expensive? At my next appt. I am going to bring it up to my infusion nurse to see what she says about it.

Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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Old 12-09-2006, 06:13 AM   #7
Sheila
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
Chelee

I do know that once Herceptin is mixed, it will only last so long....so you have a right to ask....I am sure you still got the benefit even if it was a day late on shelf life....but it should not have happened! There are too many checks and balances in a pharmacy to let it go by past the date.....and its not like they aren't charging you enough for it.....kinda like getting wilted flowers, they still smell good but not the sight you want to see!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 12-09-2006, 10:41 AM   #8
karenann
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 438
I used to have to wait while they mixed my Herceptin.

Karen
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Old 12-09-2006, 04:52 PM   #9
Chelee
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Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
Shelia, I sure hope your right and I did get at least *some* benefit from the herceptin. It makes me wonder now how many times they did that to me? I have checked the bag many times...but I usually go weekly and never checked it at all until about four months into it. I hope that was a one time thing?

For the price of herceptin...and the fact we receive herceptin to keep the beast away...it better of still been good. I just did a search on google...and all the pages I read sure makes it sound like it should be discarded immediately after discard date. Being a stage III'er...with positive nodes and not able to have rads...this upsets me the more I think about it. Because now I wonder how many times that happened to me?

I know I AM going to ask my infusion nurse about this...and then mention it to my onc at next appt. I better not be getting old stuff laying around so that it saves THEM money. Its always something it seems...

I sure liked your analogy on the wilted flowers. Good one!

Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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