The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- 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 [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] when used by itself.
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Sore throat or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Swelling of the legs or arms
- Rash
Herceptin serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart problems: chest pain, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath that usually worsens with activity or while lying flat, swelling of your legs or feet, sudden weight gain, fatigue
- Serious infusion reactions: trouble breathing, itching or hives, flushing, swelling, chest pain, fast heartbeat, dizziness, fainting
- Lung problems: shortness of breath, trouble breathing
- Serious infections (when receiving in combination with chemotherapy): repeated fevers, chills, sweating, cough, trouble breathing, severe diarrhea, vomiting, painful or frequent urination
Source: DailyMed
The following Herceptin side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Dizziness
fever or chills
headache
muscle aches
nausea or vomiting
skin rash
stuffy or runny nose
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Bloody nose
difficult or labored breathing
ear congestion or pain
fast or irregular heartbeat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
head congestion
hoarseness or other voice changes
increased cough
joint pain
loss of appetite
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
shivering
sweating
swelling of the feet or lower legs
tightness in the chest
trouble with sleeping
vomiting
Rare
Blue lips and fingernails
blurred vision
confusion
cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
faintness or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, or sex organs
lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
pale skin
redness of the skin
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
bloody or cloudy urine
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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