Active ingredient: Trastuzumab
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using TRAZIMERA. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using TRAZIMERA.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using TRAZIMERA?
2. What should I know before I use TRAZIMERA?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use TRAZIMERA?
5. What should I know while using TRAZIMERA?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using TRAZIMERA?
TRAZIMERA contains the active ingredient trastuzumab.
TRAZIMERA belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents. There are many different classes of antineoplastic agents. TRAZIMERA belongs to a class called monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a laboratory. These proteins are designed to recognise and bind to other unique proteins in the body.
TRAZIMERA binds selectively to a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
HER2 is found in large amounts on the surface of some cancer cells.
When TRAZIMERA binds to HER2 it stops the growth and spread of the cancer cells.
TRAZIMERA is used to treat breast and gastric cancer. It is only used in patients whose tumour has tested positive to HER2.
TRAZIMERA may be used alone or with other medicines that treat breast cancer, such as an aromatase inhibitor (hormone receptor positive breast cancer) or a taxane (e.g. paclitaxel or docetaxel).
For the treatment of gastric cancer TRAZIMERA is used with chemotherapy medicines cisplatin and capecitabine (or 5FU).
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why TRAZIMERA has been prescribed for you.
2. What should I know before I use TRAZIMERA?
Warnings
Do not use TRAZIMERA if:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other part of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
- you have had an LVEF test result (which measures how well your heart can pump blood) of less than 45% or
- you have symptoms of heart failure
Symptoms of heart failure may include:
– shortness of breath or getting tired easily after light physical activity (such as walking)
– shortness of breath at night, especially when lying flat
– swelling of the hands or feet due to fluid build up
– abnormal or irregular heartbeat
If you are not sure whether you should start receiving this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you:
- have a history of heart disease with:
– angina (chest pain)
– cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal beating of the heart)
– heart failure (where the heart cannot pump blood normally)
– coronary artery disease (also known as CAD, a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries)
– poorly controlled high blood pressure - have previously been treated with chemotherapy medicines known as anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin); these medicines can damage heart muscle and increase the risk of heart problems with TRAZIMERA
Your doctor will monitor your heart function closely before and during your treatment with TRAZIMERA. Your heart function may also be monitored for years after ceasing TRAZIMERA treatment.
- have any breathing or lung problems
- are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
Allergic or anaphylactic reactions can occur with TRAZIMERA treatment (known as infusion or administration related reactions). Your doctor or nurse will monitor you for side effects during treatment. See “side effects” for symptoms to look out for.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
TRAZIMERA may be harmful to an unborn baby. If there is a need for TRAZIMERA treatment when you are pregnant your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby.
You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with TRAZIMERA and for 7 months after stopping treatment.
- Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed
It is not known if TRAZIMERA passes into breast milk. It is recommended that you discontinue breast-feeding while you are being treated with TRAZIMERA and not restart breast-feeding until 7 months after completing TRAZIMERA treatment.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking TRAZIMERA.
Use in children
The safety and effectiveness of TRAZIMERA in children under 18 years of age have not been established.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
TRAZIMERA treatment with gemcitabine, vinorelbine, a taxane or radiation therapy can increase the chance of lung problems (interstitial lung disease).
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while receiving TRAZIMERA.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you have had TRAZIMERA if you start any new medication in the seven months after stopping treatment.
It may take up to seven months for TRAZIMERA to be removed from your body
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect TRAZIMERA.
4. How do I use TRAZIMERA?
How TRAZIMERA is given
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or nurse carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
TRAZIMERA must be prepared by a healthcare professional and will be given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse.
TRAZIMERA is given by “drip” into a vein (intravenous (IV) infusion).
The first TRAZIMERA infusion is given over 90 minutes. If the first infusion is well tolerated, your drip time may be shortened to 30 minutes.
For the treatment of breast cancer, TRAZIMERA is given either once a week or once every three weeks. It may be given alone or in combination with other medicines used to treat breast cancer.
For the treatment of gastric cancer TRAZIMERA is given every three weeks in combination with other medicines used to treat gastric cancer.
Your doctor will decide how long you should receive TRAZIMERA, this will depend on your response to the medicine and the state of your disease.
If you miss a dose
As TRAZIMERA is given under the supervision of your doctor, you are unlikely to miss a dose. However, if you forget or miss your appointment to receive TRAZIMERA, make another appointment as soon as possible.
Your doctor will decide when and how much your next dose of TRAZIMERA will be.
If you are given too much
As TRAZIMERA is given to you under the supervision of your doctor it is unlikely that you will be given too much. However, if you experience any side effects after being given TRAZIMERA, tell your doctor immediately.
5. What should I know while using TRAZIMERA?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you:
- have any signs and symptoms of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. Some signs and symptoms include:
– swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing
– swelling of other parts of your body
– shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
– rash, itching or hives on the skin
– feeling sick (nausea)
– fever, chills
– feeling tired
– headache - have any signs and symptoms of heart problems
Some signs and symptoms of heart problems are:
– shortness of breath or getting tired easily after light physical activity (such as walking)
– shortness of breath at night, especially when lying flat
– swelling of the hands or feet due to fluid build up
– cough
– abnormal or irregular heartbeat
Please follow all your doctors’ instructions if any of these symptoms require medication.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are receiving TRAZIMERA.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or intend to start a family while receiving TRAZIMERA.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may perform regular tests.
Things you should not do
- Do not stop your TRAZIMERA treatment without checking with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you feel that TRAZIMERA is not helping your condition.
- Do not take any other medicines, whether they require a prescription or not, without first telling your doctor or consulting with a pharmacist.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how TRAZIMERA affects you.
If you have experienced symptoms during your treatment with TRAZIMERA you should not drive or operate machinery.
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking TRAZIMERA.
This medicine helps most people with HER2 positive breast and gastric cancer but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Because TRAZIMERA may be used with other medicines that treat breast and gastric cancer, it may be difficult for your doctor to tell whether the side effects are due to TRAZIMERA or due to the other medicines.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
For further information about the side effects of any other medicines you are receiving, please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets for these medicines.
Side effects
| Side effects | What to do |
| Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any of these side effects |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
During an infusion
| Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of these side effects while receiving an infusion (particularly during the first infusion) |
After an infusion
| Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What TRAZIMERA contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
The trastuzumab protein is made using Chinese hamster ovary cells. |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What TRAZIMERA looks like
TRAZIMERA is a white powder which is dissolved in sterile water before use.
After dissolving, the TRAZIMERA solution should appear as a clear, colourless to pale yellow-brown solution.
TRAZIMERA is available in two strengths, 60 mg and 150 mg.
60 mg: AUST R 304049
150 mg: AUST R 304050
Who distributes TRAZIMERA
TRAZIMERA is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in May 2022.
ncG1vNJzZmilqZm%2Fb6%2FOpmWarV%2BisqW1wqKlnqtfqb%2BixsimnKuZXw%3D%3D