We know that fighting cancer is not easy. So when your doctor prescribes a new, somewhat complicated drug, it's normal to feel a little nervous and curious about it. If you're considering starting a drug called "Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine" for breast cancer, this article is for you. Let's talk about this drug, how it works, and what you need to be aware of.
What kind of medicine is this? (Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine)
Simply put, Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine is a highly advanced, specialized drug used to treat breast cancer. It is known in the market as `(Kadcyla)`.
What's special about this is that it's a combination of two types of medicine.
1. Monoclonal Antibody: This is like a clever spy who is looking for a way out. This antibody can only find cancer cells and stick to them. Its job is to target cancer cells without causing much damage to healthy cells.
2. Chemotherapy: This is the main drug that destroys cancer cells.
Now imagine, this medicine is like a missile carrying a bomb. The missile called `Monoclonal Antibody` carries the bomb called `Chemotherapy` directly to the cancer cells and detonates it. Due to this method, the damage to healthy cells is greatly reduced. We also call this kind of treatment `Targeted Therapy` .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before starting this medication, it is essential that your doctor is aware of your complete health condition. Do not hide anything, even the smallest thing. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- Heart disease: If you have a heart problem, heart failure, or other heart disease.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver disease, such as cirrhosis, because the liver plays a major role in removing this medicine from the body.
- Lung or breathing problems: If you have breathing problems such as asthma.
- Nerve disorders: If you have numbness, pain, or other nerve-related problems in your limbs.
- Infections: If you currently have any infections, including viral infections such as chickenpox or herpes.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or have any doubts about it, you should definitely tell your doctor .
- Breastfeeding: If the baby is breastfed.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies, not just to this medicine, but to any other medicine, food, or dye.
How can I give you this medicine?
This medicine is not something you can take home. It is a medicine that needs to be given as an infusion (like saline) into a vein. So it is given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or trained nursing staff.
If you experience any discomfort during or after treatment (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea), notify the staff immediately.
Important: It is very important to take this treatment on time, on the days prescribed by the doctor. If you are unable to go on the scheduled day, call the doctor or hospital in advance and inform them.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that this has happened in any way, inform the medical staff immediately. Otherwise, go immediately to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Things to consider during treatment
You will need to make some small changes to your lifestyle while taking this medication. These are for your safety.
General health status
Chemotherapy affects both cancer cells and rapidly dividing healthy cells. So it's normal to feel tired and lethargic. That's the nature of chemo. Continue the treatment as prescribed, even if you feel uncomfortable, until your doctor tells you to stop. Tell your doctor about any side effects.
Protect yourself from infections
This medicine reduces your body's immunity, that is, its ability to resist disease.
- If you develop symptoms like fever, cold, or sore throat, do not go to get medicine on your own. Call your doctor immediately.
- Avoid crowded places and places where people with illnesses are as much as possible.
- Be very careful when brushing your teeth and using dental floss. Your gums may bleed more. If you are undergoing any dental treatment, inform your dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Be careful with painkillers.
Do not take medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen without your doctor's advice. These medications can suppress your fever and delay the diagnosis of an infection.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and family planning
This part is very important.
- For women: Avoid becoming pregnant completely while taking this medicine and for 7 months after stopping treatment. Use a highly effective form of birth control. Also avoid breastfeeding during this time.
- For men: Make sure your partner does not get pregnant while you are taking this medication and for 4 months after stopping treatment. Always use a condom during sex. This medication may affect sperm count.
If you have any questions about this, don't be shy and talk openly with your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets all of them. Let's break these down into two categories.
| Side Effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to tell your doctor immediately | |
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Breathing difficulties | Difficulty breathing, heaviness in the chest. |
| Heart symptoms | Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Signs of infection | Symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and colds. |
| Liver problems | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, dark urine. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red spots on the skin, unusual bleeding from the gums, nose, or eyes. |
| Other | Pain in the limbs, numbness, swelling of the legs or ankles, excessive vomiting. |
| 🙂 Things to tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome | |
| Digestive system | Constipation, change in taste in the mouth. |
| Common features | Headache , dizziness , insomnia, unusual tiredness, body and joint pain. |
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
Some medications you are taking can affect the way Kadcyla works. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal products, and herbal remedies). Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- `atazanavir`
- `clarithromycin`
- `itraconazole`
- `ketoconazole`
- `ritonavir`
- Antifungal and antiviral medications such as `voriconazole`.
- Medicines such as `isoniazid, INH`, which are used to treat tuberculosis.
This list is not complete, so it is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking .
Take-Home Message
- Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine (Kadcyla) is an advanced drug that targets cancer cells.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, unusual bleeding, or any other serious side effect.
- Avoid pregnancy during treatment and for as long as your doctor recommends. Both men and women must take responsibility for this.
- Don't be shy about talking to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. Remember that you are not alone in this battle.
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