Enhertu

Generic name: Fam-trastuzumab Deruxtecan
Dosage form: intravenous infusion (100mg vial)
Drug class: HER2 inhibitors

Usage of Enhertu

Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan) is a s a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate that is used to treat types of breast cancer, stomach cancer and non-small cell lung cancer that have specific HER2 gene mutations.

Enhertu works by blocking HER2 receptors on cancer cells to prevent cancer cells from multiplying, which slows the cancer growth and progression, and then its second action is to damage or kill the cancer cells.

Enhertu is made up of two cancer-fighting medicines joined together, a monoclonal antibody (fam-trastuzumab) and a chemotherapy drug (topoisomerase I inhibitor). Enhertu is an HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate.

Enhertu is an HER2 inhibitor which is a targeted therapy used to treat cancer. The FDA first approved Enhertu on December 20, 2019.

Enhertu side effects

Common Enhertu side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

diarrhea, constipation;

cough;

fever, feeling tired;

low blood cell counts;

low potassium;

abnormal liver function tests; or

hair loss.

Serious Enhertu side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Enhertu may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

chest tightness, wheezing, cough, new or worsening shortness of breath;

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

fever, tiredness, dizziness;

swelling in your lower legs, sudden weight gain;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

low blood cell counts - fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands, and feet; or

low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Enhertu

Before starting this medicine, you should tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you:

have any lung or breathing issues

have symptoms or signs of infection

have or have had in the past any heart problems

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Pregnancy

Enhertu can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine. You should not take Enhertu if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, as it can harm your unborn baby.

If you are a woman and you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with this medicine. Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with this medicine and for at least 7 months after the last dose.

If you are a man who has a female partner that is able to become pregnant, you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Enhertu and for at least 4 months after the last dose.

This medicine may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.

Breastfeeding

Enhertu and breastfeeding:

It is not known if Enhertu passes into your breast milk.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with Enhertu and for 7 months after the last dose.

Relate drugs

How to use Enhertu

Usual Adult Dose Unresectable Metastatic Breast Cancer:

5.4 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks (21-day cycle) given as an intravenous infusion until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Usual Adult Dose for Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Mutant NSCLC:

5.4 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks (21-day cycle) given as an intravenous infusion until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Usual Adult Dose for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer

6.4 mg/kg given every 3 weeks (21-day cycle) given as an intravenous infusion until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Comments:

Administer the first infusion over 90 minutes; administer subsequent infusions over 30 minutes if prior infusions were well tolerated.

Slow or interrupt the infusion rate if the patient develops infusion-related symptoms.

Permanently discontinue therapy for severe infusion reactions.

For more information on Enhertu dosing information click the link below.

Warnings

Enhertu can cause serious or life-threatening side effects on your heart or lungs. Call your doctor right away if you have a cough, tiredness, dizziness, chest tightness, wheezing, irregular heartbeats, new or worsening shortness of breath.

Enhertu can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection or bleed more easily. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding or signs of infection (fever, chills, weakness, cold or flu symptoms, frequent or recurring illness).

Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Birth control should be continued for 7 months after the last dose of Enhertu in women and 4 months after in men.

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Enhertu

Some medications interact with Enhertu, so it is important to tell your doctor about any medicines that you are currently taking, or if you start or stop any medicine while you are having cancer treatment. Also tell your doctor about any vaccinations, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals or herbal products that you take.

Disclaimer

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