Enhertu vs. Herceptin for Breast Cancer: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Enhertu

Herceptin

(trastuzumab)

Summary for Enhertu

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.

Indications for Enhertu

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

Pros and Cons for Enhertu

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

Common Side Effects for Enhertu

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%)

Warnings for Enhertu

Lung problems
Low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
Problems with heart function
Harm to an unborn baby

Summary for Herceptin

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 for Herceptin

HER2-positive, breast cancers - IV and SQ injections
HER2-positive, metastatic stomach cancer - IV injection only

Pros and Cons for Herceptin

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 for Herceptin

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 for Herceptin

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

Enhertu4 vials / 100mg

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Herceptin3 vials / 150mg of

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Enhertu vs. Herceptin

Enhertu

Herceptin

Summary for Enhertu

Indications for Enhertu

Pros and Cons for Enhertu

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Enhertu

Warnings for Enhertu

Summary for Herceptin

Indications for Herceptin

Pros and Cons for Herceptin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Herceptin

Warnings for Herceptin

Prices with our coupons for Enhertu vs. Herceptin

Browse medications by letter

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Enhertu

Herceptin

Summary for Enhertu

Indications for Enhertu

Pros and Cons for Enhertu

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Enhertu

Warnings for Enhertu

Summary for Herceptin

Indications for Herceptin

Pros and Cons for Herceptin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Herceptin

Warnings for Herceptin