how many months is herceptin good for
 

If you have been taken off herceptin because you received it as adjuvant therapy, how long does it stay in your system to protect you. I only had the standard 1 year treatment

I mean what risks do I run now? just sit around till something shows up and we take care of it?

I think I have asked this question before but is there such a thing as a maintenance dosage every once in a while. Till we have a vaccine, isn't this a recourse.

What has been your experience?

thank you

maria

Hi Maria,
I believe that Herceptin stays in your system for 3 weeks. I spoke with someone at Genetech (maker of drug) and that is what they told me.
I hope this helps.
SusanC

The half life of Herceptin is 25 days so in 25 days half is gone (and so on and so on - meaning in another 25 days another half is gone so there is 25% left). I have read (and pretty much figured out) that it is there about 18 weeks or so after the last triple dose. You just have to keep getting it every 3 weeks while in treatment to keep the right amount of drug in your system.

Based on the half life of the drug as stated above by Becky, I felt comfortable going on a 3-month "Herceptin holiday" the beginning of this year. Knowing I would have some protection for the greater part of that time.

I am stage IV and it is recommended that we stay on a regular infusion schedule and continue Herceptin. I had just had a clean PET/CT and good numbers for my tumor markers as well as HER2 serum test. With this solid info and being NED for 5 http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif years I opted for the short break. Will consider doing it again if all is well.

so if you no longer get it, what do we do? just wait?

if this is not anxiety, then what is?

this is insane.

what's the harm of taking it once a quarter or annually, like a flu shot?

maria

... I mean, if it wears out, then what is protecting our immune system after the one year treatment

maria