It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you're about to start cancer treatment. This can be especially true when you hear a name like Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan. But don't be scared at all. When we understand any treatment, that fear disappears. So today, let's talk about this medicine, how it works, and what you need to be aware of.
What kind of medicine is this? What does it do?
Simply put, Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan is a drug used to treat certain types of cancer. You may have heard of it under the brand name ENHERTU .
Now let's see how this works. Think of cancer cells as bad plants that grow in our bodies. These bad plants need things like water and nutrition to grow quickly and spread everywhere. Similarly, cancer cells also have a special protein that helps them grow, divide, and multiply.
This drug works exactly like turning off the water supply to those bad plants. That is, it blocks the protein that helps cancer cells grow. Then the cancer cells lose their ability to grow and spread throughout the body, or they are greatly reduced. This is the basic function of this drug.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before giving you this medicine, it is essential that your doctor knows your complete health history. This is how he or she will determine whether this treatment is right for you and whether it is safe. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor .
- Heart disease: If you have heart disease, heart failure, or any other heart-related problem.
- Infections: If you currently have an infection, especially a viral infection like chickenpox or herpes.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver related condition.
- Lung or respiratory disease: If you have lung or breathing problems, such as asthma or COPD.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to this Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant soon. This is very important.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Don't hide this information from the doctor. It's very important for your safety.
How can I give you this medicine?
This is not a pill or syrup that you can take home. This is an injection into a vein . In medical terms, it is an intravenous or IV infusion. It is given by a trained medical team in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of a doctor.
Before you start treatment, you will be given a special information leaflet (`MedGuide`) about this medicine. Please read and understand it carefully before each treatment session.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if the medication dose increases?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much medicine, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I can't get treatment on the scheduled day?
If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, do not skip it. Call your medical team immediately to let them know and get advice on what to do next.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Take special care of these things for your safety and well-being during treatment.
- Regular medical check-ups: Attend your doctor's appointments on the scheduled dates. This is important to monitor the progress of your treatment and manage side effects.
- Be careful about infections: When taking this medicine, your body's immunity may be slightly reduced. Therefore, the chances of getting diseases and infections are higher. If you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or cold, inform the medical team immediately. Do not take medicines like paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen as you feel like. Because they can suppress the fever and prevent an infection from spreading inside the body. Try to stay away from places where sick people hang out.
- Oral hygiene: Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth, as your gums may bleed more easily. If you are going to have any dental treatment, be sure to tell your dentist that you are taking this medication.
- Take care of your eyes: Some people may experience dry eyes or blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience some discomfort. You can use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by your doctor. If this condition persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor.
- Pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding: This section is very important.
- You should completely avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine and for 7 months after the last dose. This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby.
- If you are a man and your partner is able to get pregnant, be sure to use a condom during sexual intercourse while taking this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose.
- Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine and for 7 months after the last dose.
- Infertility: This medication may affect fertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your healthcare team about it.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Let's take a closer look at them in the table below.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing | Dry cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing for no reason. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain when urinating. |
| Heart failure symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual fatigue. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Bruising of the skin or bleeding from minor injuries. |
| Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome. | |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting. |
| Hair loss | Hair may fall out during treatment. |
| Muscle pain | Pain in the body and muscles. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. In addition, if you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (Enhertu) is a targeted therapy that stops the growth of cancer cells.
- Before starting treatment, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- This medicine is given through a vein in a hospital.
- Take special care to protect yourself from infections during treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms such as fever and cough.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding completely during treatment and for the period prescribed by your doctor afterwards.
- If you experience difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, or heart attack symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. You are not alone in this journey.
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