Herceptin every 3 weeks/infusion time
 

Hi, I was wondering how long the infusion time is for the Herceptin every 3 weeks. My inital was 90 minutes and I thought it was at least 60 minutes for each treatment after that. The treatment nurse wanted to give it to me in a 30 minute infusion time and I refused. I insisted on 60 minutes and got it that way. I think I read on this board that a longer infusion rate is easier on the heart. Are there are results or articles anyone could please post as a resource to show others (onc,nurses)? Also, I am ER+. Is there hormonal therapy that is being given along with Herceptin? I was on Tamoxifen but my onc stopped it once I started on the herceptin. I finished AC+T chemo one year ago so I'm very lucky to be on Herceptin. I was stage 2, grade 3, 2.3cm IDC, sentinel node negative, Her 2 +, ER/PR +. I was dx at 35 and have since had a complete hyst to shut down my ovaries. Thank you very much.

Hi,

I get Herceptin every 3 weeks and it is a 90 minute infusion.

Karen

Hi, I have nearly the same DX as you but 47 yo. My herceptin infusion is 90 minutes, on the once every 3 week plan. I think it was 45 min when I had the lower dose weekly. I don't know why, but I'll ask when I go in again.

Am on tamoxifen, and will be switching to an AI on my one year anniversary of menopause. The studies I have read show that it is beneficial to take tamox and/or AI with herceptin.

Keep asking questions. Search this website. Good luck. BB

My Herceptin infusion (weekly) is 30 minutes. It has gone down considerably as they realize I'm not going to suffer a reaction. My very first one back 3 years ago sent me into shock and near death in the Critical Care ward for a few days. The second infusion, while still in the hospital, was 8 HOURS long. At that point they were taking no chances. But since then, whether the infusion was weekly or tri-weekly, it's been either 45 minutes or 30 minutes (preceeded by 2 Tylenol.) And my heart tests have all been strong.


Love and light,

Lisa

I get weekly infisions, and it is given to me in about 1 hour to 45 minutes, they run it slower for me.



Vicki

I get Herceptin weekly and they run it 30 minutes. However, I get 1 tylenol and in that case they wait 30 minutes before giving me Herceptin. I figured out if I take the tylenol at home and that saves me waiting 30 minutes of wait time. Hugs, Sandy

Here we go must be 30 days again and I have to register. Well, I don't have time to tonight. Sandy

Well, I logged in and it worked usually I have to register and get a new password. Am I happy over this!! Sandy

My weekly infusion is 30 minutes; when I was on 3 weekly, it was usually an hour, sometimes a bit longer.

<3 Lolly

My very first chemo (loading dose) of herceptin was 90 minutes. I had no problems at all that first time around. My infusion nurse was thrilled. Then I had the weekly after that...since I had no problems the first round...they still continue to do mine in 30 minutes.

Chelee

I get it every 3 weeks and it's 90 minutes!Maggie

I get it every 3 weeks and it is 30 minutes...the only dose that was longer was my loading dose, and it was 1 1/2 hours. I do not get any pre meds either and have never had a problems in 2 1/2 years.

I get Herceptin every three weeks and it is a 90 minute infusion.


I also got my ovaries removed since I am ER+ and I am taking Arimidex (an AI) as well. Herceptin and an AI are a great combination (one-two punch).

I would insist on the AI if you have completed chemo and rads.

Becky

I get mine weekly which is 30 minutes. My friend gets hers every 3 weeks and hers is also 30 minutes. They were taking longer on hers but when they saw she could tolerate it, they speed up the drip. ...sherryg683

I receive my herceptin every three weeks in 30 minutes with no premeds. To date I have not had any problems.

30 minute sessions for me....
 

I get Herceptin every 3 weeks for 30 minutes each session.

-Nancy

I have been on herceptin for 4 years and have received it in 30 minutes whether I had it every 3 weeks, every week or every other week that I am currently on.

every 3 weeks, an hour for the infusion itself and about 1/2 hour afterwards for the "flushing" of the lines as they call it! No pre meds or post meds.

Every three weeks for 30 minutes with no meds, and no problems!!
Barbara H.

I get herceptin every 3 weeks over 90 mns too.I also get two Tylenol and benedryl although I have had no problems or bad reactions to date.

Me too! Every 3 weeks, 30 minutes. Also take 2 Tylenol before starting but no long waiting period before they give me the Herceptin!
Marlys

It's amazing that this topic should come up again now!! I Have just changed doctors and hospitals and had my first 3 weekly dose of Herceptin last week. There was some catastrophe regarding getting the Herceptin made up (all the chemo etc was incredibly late because of ...blah..blah), and when the nurse was setting up, I asked her if
1. I was getting a triple dose
2.She was going to give it to me over 90 minutes (as that was my usual)
She said it was usually given over 1/2 hour and often without a saline flush afterwards (always the heparin flush for the port). I negotiated 1 hour with her.
However, I believe that if we are going to get dosed long term, we should be looking after our bodies/hearts as much as poosible, hence I will be insisting on at least 1 hour time frame, and a saline flush.

I get herceptin every 3 weeks, and they've slowed the drip, so it takes about 2 hours now. I was getting bad headaches before slowing it down. I also still get the benedryl and tylenol. I'm also getting the faslodex shot every month.

I have only had my loading dose, which was ninety minutes. I can't remember if it was on the first herceptin day or one of the last taxotere treatments, but the onc came in and told the nurses that all herceptin doses will be 90 minutes for everyone from here on out. He didn't state the reason, but I am sure they probably asked him later. But it makes sense that it will be easier on your heart by going in slower. I will ask when I go next time.

I have my Herceptin weekly, and over 30 minutes. It used to be 1 1/2 hours due to the size of the vein they were using. It was a tiny vein near my knuckles, so they ran it slower. However, now I have a port, and it can be run quicker.

Take care.

Love Lisa

It usually took around 90 minutes for my herceptin....BUT...why are you NOT on arimidex now that you have had your ovaries removed?? I would DEFINITELY look into this aspect of your treatment with your oncologist.

Best regards,

Cathy

questions regarding infusion times + side effects
 

Why is there such a wide range of Infusion times? I was 90 minutes on first one and then lessening the time each tx. At one point I went down to 20 min! I thought that was good untill I woke up with a bloody nose every morning and thought that there was a connection. I asked them to slow down the time and still have what I would call "nose boulders" - continual nasal problems, even though my new onc does a 1 1/2 hr infusion. anyone have similar treatments, side effects? Stage 3a her2+++ er/pr+ 7/20 nodes.

Hi Kimberly, My first was 90 minutes and once they found out I had no problems it is down to 30 minutes weekly. But like you...I always get the bloody crusty nose. It can get quite painful if I don't stay on top of it with saline spray and sometimes putting chapstick or vasline in my nose.

Although its strange...this LAST Monday I had all three of my drugs on infusion. Herceptin, Taxotere, & Carbpotin. This is now Thrusday and this is the FIRST time I have NOT had the blood all over my kelnex...or my nose running and crusty. But sometimes it will take a few extra days.

But you are NOT alone in that side affect when it comes to herceptin...its been brought up before and I see quite a few of us deal with that problem.

The ONLY thing I noticed this time for me that MIGHT of made it different...is I STAYED on TOP of them and made sure I had my Procrit shot, and Neulasta. I wanted my counts right this time. They always let me go TOO LONG without. But I am speaking up now. I have to do my own research...seems like they enjoy saving the HMO's money over the patients care.

So this time I had all my counts up for a change...now no bloody nose. Maybe its just a coinidence? (sp) Either way it feels better this time around. But we will see how long that lasts. But like you...I have alway has nausal problems since hercetpin.

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Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu 3 +++, Er &Pr positive, Node positive, & on herceptin, taxotere, & Carbpotin.

Chelee

Thank you all for your replies. I will discuss Arimidex with my onc. Is it ok to take with the Herceptin? Thanks.

It is okay to take Arimidex with Herceptin. I have been taking this combo for 8 months now. It is a recommended combo as well.


Becky

Somewhere I read--thought it was on this board--that the standard in the clinical trials in Europe? was 30 minutes for a 3 week dose. But then they realized there were more heart problems doing it this fast.
I go for 2 hours on a 3 week dose and at least 45 minutes on a weekly regime. I sometimes get a saline flush, depending on the nurse.
Janet

I get a 30 minute infusion every three weeks. No premeds.