herceptin weekly vs every 3 weeks

[suzan w]

I am going to be starting herceptin in 3 weeks...my onc. says every 3 weeks, then I hear of women getting it weekly. Until I have a chance to ask onc. about this..are there any differences in weekly/3 weeks? Also...I was planning on being gone for a month in Dec. (trip put off for way too long!) how might that impact things...skipping a dose...any insights greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

[Diane H]

Hi, Look in the clinical trials forum, there is a thread there that discusses this--

[pkw]

I've been on weekly herceptin for a year. I recently took a month long vacation with my onc's blessings. It was not a problem. He did not feel it necessary to dose more heavily before I left. I really enjoyed the break from treatment. I, too, will soon be discussing going to 3 week treatments.

[BonnieT]

Hi
I was taking herceptin every 3 weeks but just after 2 months my MUGA scan went down from 51% tp 36%. I see a cardiologist and now my scan is back up to 53%.I just started herceptin again, and I opted for a lower dose every week, hoping that will help with the MUGA. I would definitely get a MUGA scan before you start and then check it again in a couple of months.
God Bless
BonnieT

[Unregistered]

I am starting herceptin only a weekly basis because it is paired with taxol for 12weeks. Then I move onto herceptin every 3 weeks to equal one year. I am stage 1, no nodes, er-pr- her2+++
I will also start rads after finishing taxol due to lumpectomy in 7/05.
Rocky

[Unregistered]

It's not a problem getting it every three weeks. I did it that way. I asked my onc. about it and she said we are getting the same amount (in the end) as the women who take it weekly. We just get a bigger dose every three weeks. She said it was more a convenience thing.