Herceptin / Tykerb Share your experiences or ask questions about Herceptin or Tykerb |
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07-21-2010, 11:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 582
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Tykerb question
My oncologist and I are looking at possible treatments for a new reoccurance of her2 cancer in both lungs. My echo shows my heart is too weak for more herceptin, which what I asked for. I will start on navelbine alone next week. My oncologist is considering tykerb too. However I don't swallow pills well, and prefer infusions. Can any of you on tykerb tell me how large the tykerb pills are? Are they capsules or tablets? I understand there are 5 required a day. I had mild side effects with herceptin and took it and navelbine for 15 weeks in 2005 until my ef dropped too low to continue. I've been cancer free for nearly 6 years so was hoping to use herceptin again. I would appreciate any suggestions and info about tykerb use from those familiar with it. Is it indicated even with the low heart efficiency? Thank you so much! TriciaK
my ejection factor
very few
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07-22-2010, 01:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 271
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Re: Tykerb question
Hi Tricia,
I took 6 tyverb tablets every day for a year. They are biggish oval orange tablets, but easy to swallow. I had to have regular echo exams while on them (just as with herceptin). Overall, I really had no side effects. Best of luck to you.
__________________
Delaney, dx 2008 lumpectomy,mastectomy,a/c,paxitaxol, tyverb 1 yr.
dx 2010 mets lymph nodes, skin, lung. start taxotere/herceptin.
Stopped taxtere/herceptin, now on tyverb/xeloda.
Lung mets shrinking.
Back on Herceptin with T/X. Partial response.
Skin mets progressing. Radiation scheduled mid february 2011.
Spot found on hip - radiation to hip beginning mid February 2011.
Now trying Gemzar/Tyverb/Herceptin and Zometa.
CT scan Feb 2011 - lung clear!
Brain mets (specks) - radiation mid Feb.
Brain Scan June'11 - Clear
CT Scan June'11 - Good - skin met active - watch and wait.
Surgery to remove skin met. Surgery to back 2012, four titanium rods inserted. Skin mets reappear. On Navelbine, not working. 4 week washout, start Myocet for skin and lung mets August 2012. Brain scan clear despte intermittent blurry vision (something hiding? Am suspicious but hopeful. )On we go, glad to be here.
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07-22-2010, 05:19 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Re: Tykerb question
Tricia
The Tykerb pills are big, and orange, but they have a coating on them like an enteric coated aspirin that makes them slide down easy..I seem to remember that you cant break them or cut them when you take them, Keeping you in my prayers Tricia that Navelbine alone will work...I found it very easy to tolerate.
__________________
"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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07-22-2010, 10:16 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Tykerb question
You can cut the Tykerb pills in half with a pill cutter you can buy at a pharmacy. Some people take 5 a day and some people take 4 a day depending on what kind of chemo they take with the Tykerb. Some people reduce the dose for a few days if they have alot of side effects
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07-22-2010, 09:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 343
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Re: Tykerb question
I don't swallow pills well at all but did OK with tykerb. I think it was the coating and the shape. I never tried breaking them but that sounds like a great idea.
Keeping you in my thoughts
__________________
Vicky
Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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07-23-2010, 05:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Re: Tykerb question
My bottle contained a label which stated in bold letters not to chew, break or crush Tykerb...if you google TYKERB or Lapatinib, it will tell you the same info....
It can affect the absorption and toxicity levels of the drug
I also took Brenda's advice (a nd a few others) and gradually worked up to 5 pills a day...started with 3, then after 4 days went to 4, then after another 4 or 5 days went to 5....I had no issues and was able to then take 5 with no issues.
__________________
"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
Last edited by Sheila; 07-23-2010 at 03:24 PM..
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07-23-2010, 03:10 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 343
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Re: Tykerb question
oops, not a good idea
__________________
Vicky
Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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07-24-2010, 07:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Moultrie, GA
Posts: 431
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Re: Tykerb question
I have always had difficulty taking large pills. Especially those potassium ones with the square edges. They always seem to get stuck. But, my lapatinib (Tykerb) just slid right down. No problem at all! I wish the the same success!
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/25/08 ~ age 63, no family history
Surgery: 8/14/08 Bilateral mastectomy; tumor left breast, node dissection; right prophylactic with expanders: 1/12/10 latisimuss dorsi flap on left side: 9/22/10 implants in
Pathology Report: ER/PR-; HER2+ (3+); Grade 3, StageIII; 3cm tumor plus 21/21 lymph nodes positive; 5cm DCIS
Chemo: A/C; Taxol/Herceptin/Tykerb; phase II study at Mayo adding Tykerb for early stage
Radiation: 25 rads
Vaccine: Walter Reed GP2/AE37 vaccine study ~ last booster 9/17/2012
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07-27-2010, 07:45 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
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Re: Tykerb question
Hi, I am still new to the boards and wanted to ask about cutting Tykerb in half. My Mother-in-law just got her tykerb in and is refusing to take it because of the large pill size. The bottle and booklet all say to not cut and I have a call into the doctor asking if cutting them in half is better then none at all. I've tried getting her to take it with pudding or applesauce and she still refuses. Do ya'll have any other techniques to suggest?
Mother-in-law diagnosed @ 51 in May 2009 Stage III Her2 +
Diagnosed in July 2010 with Stage IV Brain Metastases
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03-02-2011, 07:20 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Moultrie, GA
Posts: 431
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Re: Tykerb question
The tablets are large; however, they slip down very easily. Please encourage her to try just one. She might be pleasantly surprised at the ease of taking them as I was.
Sandra
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/25/08 ~ age 63, no family history
Surgery: 8/14/08 Bilateral mastectomy; tumor left breast, node dissection; right prophylactic with expanders: 1/12/10 latisimuss dorsi flap on left side: 9/22/10 implants in
Pathology Report: ER/PR-; HER2+ (3+); Grade 3, StageIII; 3cm tumor plus 21/21 lymph nodes positive; 5cm DCIS
Chemo: A/C; Taxol/Herceptin/Tykerb; phase II study at Mayo adding Tykerb for early stage
Radiation: 25 rads
Vaccine: Walter Reed GP2/AE37 vaccine study ~ last booster 9/17/2012
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