Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Enhertu vs. Herceptin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Enhertu
    Herceptin (trastuzumab)
  • Enhertu
    Herceptin (trastuzumab)

  • Summary of Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Summary for Antibody-drug conjugate
    Prescription only

    Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) is FDA approved to treat adults with cancers that have a tumor marker protein called HER2. These include breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and other solid tumors. Enhertu is a targeted cancer treatment called an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). It's usually used when certain past treatments haven't worked well. The dose is given as an infusion through the vein, or IV, every 3 weeks. Common side effects include nausea, tiredness, and hair loss.

    Summary for HER2 receptor antagonist
    Prescription only

    Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a targeted anticancer treatment for certain HER2-positive cancers. It treats HER2-positive, early-stage, breast cancer (after breast surgery to remove the tumor) and late-stage, metastatic breast cancer (spread to other parts of the body). It can also treat HER2-positive, metastatic stomach cancer. Herceptin (trastuzumab) is most often used together with other anticancer medications, but can also be used by itself. Depending on the type of cancer, Herceptin (trastuzumab) can be injected into a vein (intravenous, IV) or under the skin (subcutaneous, SQ).

  • Indications of Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Indications for
    •Advanced or metastatic HER2-positive or HER2-low breast cancer
    •Advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer
    •Advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with HER2 mutations
    •Advanced or metastatic HER2-positive stomach cancer
    •Advanced or metastatic HER2-positive esophageal cancer
    •Advanced or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors
    Indications for
    •HER2-positive, breast cancers - IV and SQ injections
    •HER2-positive, metastatic stomach cancer - IV injection only

  • Pros and Cons of Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Pros and Const for Antibody-drug conjugate
    Pros
    •Given just by itself (not taken with other cancer treatments)
    •Given once every 3 weeks
    •A possible option after previous treatments haven’t worked
    Cons
    •Given as an infusion through the vein (IV)
    •Can often cause nausea, vomiting, and hair loss
    •Might raise the risk of infections
    Pros and Const for HER2 receptor antagonist
    Pros
    •Recommended treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancers and metastatic stomach cancer
    •More precise in the way it targets cancer cells compared to traditional chemotherapy
    •For breast cancers, can be given either as an injection under the skin or through a vein (IV), depending on preference
    •Short injection times (30 to 90 minutes IV; 2 to 5 minutes under the skin)
    Cons
    •Requires regular visits to the clinic or infusion center to receive your dose
    •Can cause heart failure or other heart problems and requires regular monitoring of heart function
    •Not safe during pregnancy since it can harm an unborn baby

  • Common Side Effects of Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low white blood cell count (up to 73%)
    •Nausea (72%)
    •Lower hemoglobin levels (67%)
    •Feeling very tired (55%)
    •Lower platelet levels (48%)
    •Higher liver enzyme levels (up to 46%)
    •Vomiting (38%)
    •Hair loss (37%)
    •Constipation (32%)
    •Low potassium levels (32%)
    •Low appetite (31%)
    •Diarrhea (30%)
    •Muscle, bone, or joint pain (24%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Body and joint pain (up to 47%)
    •Weakness (up to 42%)
    •Fever (up to 36%)
    •Nausea (to up 33%)
    •Chills (up to 32%)
    •Headache (up to 26%)
    •Cough (up to 26%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 25%)
    •Vomiting (up to 23%)
    •Infection (up to 20%)

    ^*Side effect percentages listed for Herceptin (trastuzumab) when used by itself.^

  • Warnings of Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Lung problems
    •Low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
    •Problems with heart function
    •Harm to an unborn baby
    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart failure and other heart problems
    •Infusion reactions
    •Lung problems
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Low blood counts when used with chemotherapy

  • Prices with our coupons for Enhertu vs. Herceptin

    Learn more about Enhertu
    Learn more about Herceptin

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.