Herceptin and Alcohol Interaction
Herceptin and Alcohol
Herceptin generic name trastuzumab belongs to the family of cancer medications known as monocional antibodies and function by interfering with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
The drug is used to treat metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with other chemotherapy. It is often used with other chemotherapy drugs. Herceptin may also be used to treat metastatic stomach cancer in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
It is administered through venous injection by health care professionals.
Do not drink alcohol while using this drug as the side effects may be greatly increased.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
Do not use this drug if pregnant as it could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Note that some people who receive an Herceptin injection have had a reaction to the infusion when the medicine is injected into a vein. Tell your physician immediately if you feel dizzy, nauseated, lifgt headed, weak, itchy or short of breath while being injected.
Before starting this drug advise your physician if you are allergic to this drug, any other drug or substance, have heart disease, congestive heart failure, a history of heart attack or any breathing problems.
Side Effects
Less serious side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, sinus pain, joint or muscle pain, back pain, headache or feeling tired. If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects are chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, fast or pounding heartbeat, short of breath with mild exertion, swelling, rapid weight gain, cough, wheezing, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, fever, chills, body aches or flu symptoms. If these occur get emergency medical aid.
This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.
Herceptin and alcohol Herceptin and alcohol
Return from Herceptin and Alcohol to home page.
Hard copy and E book for sale. What's Killing You and What You Can Do About It. Click here.
Hard copy and E book for sale. Introduction to Building Mechanical Systems. Click here.