For EBC, Herceptin^® (iv) can be administered as a 3-weekly or weekly regimen following surgery, standard chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and radiotherapy (if applicable).

Herceptin^® has also been investigated as a weekly regimen concomitantly with paclitaxel following 4 cycles of Anthracyclines.

Table 2.2 Recommended dosing instructions for Herceptin

To administer Herceptin^®, each 150 mg vial should be reconstituted with 7.2 mL sterile water for injection, swirling rather than shaking to avoid foaming. Reconstitution yields a single-dose solution containing approximately 21 mg/mL Herceptin. The volume of reconstituted Herceptin^® required for dosing should be calculated according to patient body weight as follows:

The appropriate amount of Herceptin^® solution should be added to an infusion bag containing 250 mL 0.9% sodium chloride, inverting the solution to mix in order to avoid foaming. Herceptin^® should not be administered as an intravenous push or bolus.