TALKING WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAM

If you have HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, there are things you may want to ask your team

You can talk to someone you’re comfortable with on your healthcare team to help you understand your treatment plan. Here are some common questions to get you started.

Before starting treatment

What does “metastatic” or “advanced” breast cancer mean?
Is PERJETA-based treatment an appropriate treatment choice for my type of metastatic breast cancer?
How is PERJETA different from Herceptin^® (trastuzumab)?
How is PERJETA different from docetaxel?
How and when is PERJETA given?
What side effects might I experience with PERJETA-based treatment?

Preparing for treatment

What do I need to do to prepare for my infusions?
How do I find an infusion center?
Should I arrange for transportation to and from my infusion?
What should I bring with me to the infusion center?
How long do I need to receive PERJETA?
How long do I need to receive docetaxel?
Will I need to have a port for my infusion?

During treatment

How can my doctor and I tell if the treatment is working?
What side effects should I expect, and how severe might they be?
Are there things I can do to help with certain side effects?
How can I tell if the treatment is working?
How will I feel after these treatments?
Will my family be able to care for me after treatment?

Downloadable materials

Find additional information about HER2+ breast cancer and PERJETA.

HERConnection Program

Sign up for this free program that provides PERJETA information and resources to patients.

What does PERJETA treat?

PERJETA^® (pertuzumab) is approved for use in combination with Herceptin^® (trastuzumab) and docetaxel in people who have HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to different parts of the body (metastatic) and who have not received anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

PERJETA is approved for use in combination with Herceptin and chemotherapy for:

use prior to surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) in people with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer (tumor is greater than 2 cm in diameter or node-positive). PERJETA should be used as part of a complete treatment regimen for early breast cancer.
use after surgery (adjuvant treatment) in people with HER2-positive early breast cancer that has a high likelihood of coming back.

What should I know about side effects with PERJETA?

Not all people have serious side effects; however, side effects with PERJETA therapy are common. It is important to know what side effects may happen and what symptoms you should watch for
Your doctor may stop treatment if serious side effects happen. Be sure to contact your healthcare team right away if you have questions or are worried about any side effects

What are the most serious side effects of PERJETA?

PERJETA may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure).

Your doctor may run tests to monitor your heart function before and during treatment with PERJETA
Based on test results, your doctor may hold or discontinue treatment with PERJETA
Contact a health care professional immediately for any of the following: new onset or worsening shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the ankles/legs, swelling of the face, palpitations, weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness or loss of consciousness

Receiving PERJETA during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects.

Birth control should be used while receiving PERJETA and for 7 months after your last dose of PERJETA. If you are a mother who is breastfeeding, you should talk with your doctor about either stopping breastfeeding or stopping PERJETA
If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately
If you are exposed to PERJETA during pregnancy, or become pregnant while receiving PERJETA or within 7 months following the last dose of PERJETA in combination with Herceptin, you are encouraged to enroll in the MotHER Pregnancy Registry by contacting 1‑800-690-6720 or visiting http://www.motherpregnancyregistry.com/ and report PERJETA exposure to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555

What are other possible serious side effects?

PERJETA should not be used in patients who are allergic to pertuzumab or to any of the ingredients in PERJETA

Infusion-related reactions: PERJETA is a medicine that is delivered into a vein through a needle. This process can cause reactions known as infusion-related reactions. The most common infusion-related reactions when receiving PERJETA, Herceptin, and docetaxel were feeling tired, abnormal or altered taste, allergic reactions, muscle pain, and vomiting. The most common infusion-related reactions when receiving PERJETA alone were fever, chills, feeling tired, headache, weakness, allergic reactions, and vomiting

Severe allergic reactions: Some people receiving PERJETA may have severe allergic reactions, called hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis. These reactions may be severe, may happen quickly, and may affect many areas of the body

What are the most common side effects?

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and docetaxel for treatment of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) are:

Diarrhea
Hair loss
Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
Nausea
Feeling tired
Rash
Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and docetaxel as part of an early breast cancer regimen before surgery are:

Hair loss
Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
Diarrhea
Nausea

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and docetaxel following 3 cycles of epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, and fluorouracil as part of an early breast cancer regimen before surgery are:

Diarrhea
Nausea
Hair loss
Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
Vomiting
Feeling tired

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin, docetaxel, and carboplatin as part of an early breast cancer regimen before surgery are:

Diarrhea
Hair loss
Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
Nausea
Feeling tired
Vomiting
Low levels of red blood cells
Low platelet count

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and paclitaxel following 4 cycles of dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as part of an early breast cancer regimen before surgery are:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Hair loss
Feeling tired
Constipation
Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)
Headache

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and docetaxel following 4 cycles of epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, and fluorouracil as part of an early breast cancer regimen before surgery are:

Diarrhea
Nausea
Hair loss
Weakness
Constipation
Feeling tired
Mouth blisters or sores
Vomiting
Pain in the muscles
Low levels of red blood cells

The most common side effects of PERJETA when given with Herceptin and chemotherapy as part of an early breast cancer regimen after surgery are:

Diarrhea
Nausea
Hair Loss
Feeling tired
Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)
Vomiting

You are encouraged to report side effects to Genentech and the FDA. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1‑800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1‑888-835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information, including most serious side effects.