Eleftha 150mg Injection
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Trastuzumab (150mg) |
| Storage | Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze. |
| Chemical Class | Monoclonal antibody (mAb) |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | HER2/neu (ErbB2) Inhibitor- Monoclonal antibody |
| User Rating | 4.3 |
| User Reviews | 467 |
FAQ
Can Eleftha 150mg be given to HER2 negative cancer patients?
No, Eleftha 150mg cannot be given in patients with HER2 negative cancer cells. Eleftha 150mg belongs to class of monoclonal antibody. It 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 Eleftha 150mg binds to HER2, it stops the growth and spread of the cancer cells. Therefore, it is only effective in HER2 positive patients (in which HER2 is present) and will not be beneficial for HER2 negative patients (in which HER2 is not present).
How is Eleftha 150mg given, intravenously or intramuscularly?
There are 2 different formulations available for administration of Eleftha 150mg, one is given as an infusion into a vein (intravenous infusion) and the other is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). It is important to check the product labels to ensure that the correct formulation is being given as prescribed. Eleftha 150mg intravenous formulation is not for subcutaneous use and should be given as an intravenous infusion only. Your doctor may consider switching your Eleftha 150mg intravenous treatment to Eleftha 150mg subcutaneous treatment (and vice versa) if considered appropriate for you.
How frequently heart investigations are required?
Heart investigations should be performed at the starting of the treatment. It should be repeated every 3 months during treatment and every 6 months after the discontinuation of treatment until 24 months from the last administration of Eleftha 150mg. Those patients who already have heart-related problems will require investigations every 12 weeks.
How long after Eleftha 150mg therapy can I get pregnant?
Women of child-bearing age should use effective contraception during Eleftha 150mg therapy and for 7 months after completing the treatment. You can plan your pregnancy after 7 months of treatment with Eleftha 150mg.
Why has my doctor advised for investigations of heart?
Eleftha 150mg when used with anthracycline class of anti-cancer medicines (eg doxorubicin) may adversely affect your heart. Hence, your doctor needs to check the health of your heart initially before starting treatment and during treatment.
What are the serious side effects of Eleftha 150mg?
There are various side effects related to Eleftha 150mg such as sore throat, fever, chills, excessive tiredness, pale skin, nosebleeds, and other unusual bruising or bleeding. One can also experience stomach pain, seizures, hallucinations, muscle cramps, and spasms. Along with that, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, rapid heart beat, discoloration of urine; decreased amount of urine, difficulty in urinating, pain when urinating, and other signs of infection can also be observed with the use of Eleftha 150mg. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any such symptoms.
Is fasting required before administering Eleftha 150mg?
No, fasting is not required before administering Eleftha 150mg. It should be given under the guidance of a doctor who is experienced in giving cancer chemotherapy and should be given only by a healthcare professional.
How long should Eleftha 150mg be taken?
Patients with early breast cancer should take Eleftha 150mg for 1 year or until disease recurs, whichever occurs first. It is not advised to extend the treatment beyond 1 year in patients of early breast cancer.
What if you forget to take Eleftha Injection?
If you miss a dose of Eleftha 150mg, please consult your doctor.
Eleftha 150mg Injection Reviews
Eleftha 150mg is used in the treatment of breast and stomach cancer. It works by killing the cancer cells by inhibiting HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein).
Eleftha 150mg is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, rash, insomnia, and infection. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels. You must have to inform your doctor if you experience breathlessness, cough, shivering, swelling of legs and arm.
Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
Eleftha 150mg is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, rash, insomnia, and infection. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels. You must have to inform your doctor if you experience breathlessness, cough, shivering, swelling of legs and arm.
Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
How Eleftha 150mg Injection Works
Eleftha 150mg is a recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody. It works against the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein) receptors which are responsible for the over-proliferation of cancer cells in breast cancer and stomach cancer cells. It destroys the cancer cells by inhibiting HER2. It also inhibits various cancer-causing downstream signaling pathways.
How to Use Eleftha 150mg Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Benefits of Eleftha 150mg Injection
- In Breast cancer: Eleftha 150mg is used to treat breast cancer when other medicines have failed to show significant improvement. It helps to stop cancer growth and further spread and relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipple or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. This medicine is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.
- In Stomach cancer: Stomach cancer also known as gastric cancer, may occur in the inner lining (called mucosa) of the stomach or in the walls of the stomach. These are of various kinds depending on the origin, affected area and severity of the cancer. Eleftha 150mg helps to kill the cancer cells and also stops their further growth and spread. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.
Uses of Eleftha 150mg Injection
- Stomach cancer
- Breast cancer
Eleftha 150mg Injection Side Effects
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Common cold
- Mucosal inflammation
- Decreased blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets)
- Chills
- Rash
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Infection
- Heart failure
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Taste change
- Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Weight loss
Safety Tips
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Eleftha 150mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
Eleftha 150mg may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Eleftha 150mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Eleftha 150mg alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Eleftha 150mg is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Eleftha 150mg may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Eleftha 150mg in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Your doctor will monitor your heart regularly while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms such as breathlessness, cough, shivering, swelling of legs and arm.
- It is given as an injection into your vein or under the skin, usually over 1 hour.
- Use effective contraception method to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for 7 months after you stop the treatment.
References
- Trastuzumab. South San Francisco, California: Genentech, Inc.; 1998 [revised Oct. 2010].
- Chabner BA, Barnes J, Neal J, et al. Targeted Therapies: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Cytokines. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1737.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Trastuzumab. [Updated 2019 Jun 30].
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1390-91.
- Lake DF, Briggs AD, Akporiaye ET. Immunopharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 978.