Any meds to prevent or lessen side effects of Herceptin?

[JoJo]

Hello ladies, I have been receiving weekly Herceptin (almost a year now). Since I am going to be out of town, I will miss the next weekly Herceptin. I will be getting the "triple" dosage of Herceptin, which should last me 3 weeks.

I understand that sometimes the triple dosage gives some of us flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, body aches, etc). Do you take any meds to prevent that or at least lessen them? For example, ibuprofen, or tylenol, or benadryl? If you do, when do you take them: the day before your Herceptin, or right before, or during?

Thanks for your feedback! Hugs :-)

[jessica]

Hi~
I've been on weekly Herceptin for the past year, too-w/taxol for the first 3 months, then Herceptin only since last Sept. I still get the "Herceptin Flu" w/each weekly infusion.I usually take Extra Strength tylenol during tx or shortly after.If I forget to take it, I'll start to feel flu-ey w/in 2 hrs.It seems to do the trick. I tried the 3 week dose once, but I had a tough time w/the side effects so went back to the weekly dose...I would like to try it again & have a little freedom from going to the doc every week.
Good luck with it!

[JoJo]

Oddly enough, I do not get any flu-like symptoms with the weekly Herceptin.

I only tried the 3-week dosage once, and I had body aches / little chills / slight fever for the next 3 days, I think.

Hopefully, the 3-week dosage won't 'throw me off the edge' prior to my week-long trip. I'll miss the following weekly Herceptin.

[Mary Stewart]

I get weekly herceptin and will eventually go to the 3 week dose you describe. Usually the flu-like symptoms only appear with the very first dose, which is a "loading dose." I had 102 degree fever and chills for 3 days after that first dose! My doctors pre-treat me with tylenol (625 mg) and benadryl (25 mg in the IV) before I get my herceptin. Since the first treatment, I've not had any bad effects from the herceptin at all. Good luck.