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Overview: Perjeta is used to treat certain breast cancers. Common side effects include hair loss, diarrhea, and nausea. Call your health care provider right away if you get new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, sudden weight gain, or unusual swelling. Perjeta is an infusion into your vein given to you by your health care provider.

Uses

What is Perjeta used for?

Perjeta (pertuzumab) is commonly used to treat certain types of HER2-positive breast cancers.

Perjeta may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Perjeta work (mechanism of action)?

Your health care provider can run a test to see if your cancer may respond to Perjeta. Perjeta works by blocking certain proteins, known as HER2, on cancer cells. By blocking these proteins, Perjeta can cause cancer cells to die and can prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading.

How is Perjeta supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Perjeta

Dosage forms and strengths

Perjeta is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Perjeta?

Perjeta is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Perjeta?

The most common side effects of Perjeta are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the medicines that are given with Perjeta to help treat your cancer. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Hair loss
  • Blood disorders including low red blood cells (anemia), low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low neutrophil levels (neutropenia)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Rash
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet

There may be other side effects of Perjeta that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Perjeta?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Perjeta are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Perjeta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Failure. Perjeta may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Cough
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Skipping heartbeats
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting

Infusion Reactions. Perjeta can cause reactions that can be serious. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you get your infusion.

  • Fever or chills
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Redness of your face and neck
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Perjeta?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Perjeta.

  • Perjeta
  • Pertuzumab
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Perjeta.

What should I know about Perjeta before using it?

Perjeta is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Perjeta?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Perjeta is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Heart Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have or had heart problems, such as a heart attack.

Pregnancy. Perjeta may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider will give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start using Perjeta. If you can get pregnant, you should use birth control while using Perjeta and for seven months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you become pregnant while using Perjeta or in the seven months after your last dose, you should contact the drugmaker at 888-835-2555 to participate in a pregnancy registry to monitor how your pregnancy goes.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Perjeta passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Perjeta?

For more information about Perjeta, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.perjeta.com or call them at 877-436-3683.

Interactions

Does Perjeta interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Perjeta and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Perjeta, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Perjeta interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Perjeta and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Perjeta?

If you or someone else has used too much Perjeta, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Perjeta?

Perjeta is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Perjeta as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your Perjeta dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.