US Healthcare Professionals Site

UNDERSTANDING POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS WITH PHESGO

As with all cancer treatment, side effects are possible. So, it’s good to know what to watch out for during your treatment with PHESGO. Talk to your doctor about any and all side effects you experience, even if you think they are minor.

Most serious side effects of PHESGO

  • PHESGO may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure)
  • Receiving PHESGO during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects
  • PHESGO may cause serious lung problems
  • Other possible serious and sometimes fatal side effects of PHESGO therapy include:
    • Worsening of low white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy
    • Severe allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions/anaphylaxis) and administration-related reactions

Most common side effects of PHESGO

The most common side effects of PHESGO when given with chemotherapy as part of an early breast cancer regimen are:

  • Hair loss
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Low levels of red blood cells
  • Weakness

The most common side effects of PHESGO when given with docetaxel for treatment of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Hair loss
  • Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
  • Nausea
  • Feeling tired
  • Rash
  • Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)

In a clinical study among patients who stopped chemotherapy and received PHESGO alone, side effects occurred in less than 10% of people, except for the following:

  • Skin radiation injury
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Injection site reaction
  • Indigestion (feelings of fullness, bloating, or pain in stomach)
  • Weakness or lack of energy
  • Hot flashes
  • Itching

Tips that can help

There are a few things you can do to help manage some of the side effects of treatment.

  • Use a mild shampoo, and try not to wash your hair every day
  • Avoid perming, curling, straightening, or blow-drying with high heat
  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to the scalp, or cover the scalp with a sun-protective hat or scarf when outside
  • Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or thinking of a positive image or scene, to distract you from feeling sick to your stomach
  • Choose foods that are nutritious and avoid foods that are greasy, fried, salty, sweet, or spicy
  • If the smell of a food bothers you, try cooling it down before eating it
  • Drink plenty of clear, noncarbonated fluids, and consider electrolyte replacement drinks or sports drinks
  • Choose nutritious foods, rather than foods that are greasy, fatty, or spicy
  • Eat small, frequent meals of easy-to-digest foods, such as rice, applesauce, and canned fruit
  • Eat foods high in potassium such as bananas or potatoes

Eat foods that are high in:

  • Iron, such as spinach, lean beef, and lentils
  • Vitamin B12, such as liver, salmon, or fortified cereal
  • Wash your hands often and have the people you spend time with do the same
  • Avoid large crowds of people, as germs can spread easily through coughing and sneezing
  • Be extra careful outside:
    • Don’t swim or wade in lakes, streams, or ponds
    • Wear bug repellent and long sleeves and pants to avoid bug bites
    • Wear gloves while gardening to avoid cuts or scrapes
  • Don’t overdo it, and get enough rest
  • Exercise by taking short walks. This may help improve your sleep and energy levels
  • Be physically active each day, if your doctor approves. This may help improve your appetite, strength, and weight
  • Participate in activities during the time of day when you have more energy
  • Do the most important tasks first
  • Pat the skin dry (instead of rubbing) after a bath or shower
  • Wear loose clothes to avoid rubbing and irritating the rash
  • Good nutrition, including foods rich in thiamine, protein, and antioxidants
  • Taking medications as directed by your doctor
  • Physical or occupational therapy may be helpful

Keep in mind that these tips may not work for everyone.

  • Always talk with your doctor before trying any of these tips or if you experience any side effects that bother or concern you
  • Depending on how serious the side effects are, your doctor may decide that you take a break from treatment until they get better or go away
NEXT: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Important Safety Information & Uses

What is PHESGO?

PHESGO is a prescription medicine approved for use in combination with chemotherapy for:

  • use prior to surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) in adults with HER2+, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer (tumor is greater than 2 cm in diameter or node-positive). PHESGO should be used as part of a complete treatment regimen for early breast cancer.
  • use after surgery (adjuvant treatment) in adults with HER2+ early breast cancer that has a high likelihood of coming back.

PHESGO is also approved for use in combination with docetaxel in adults who have HER2+ breast cancer that has spread to different parts of the body (metastatic) and who have not received anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

What are the most serious side effects of PHESGO?

Heart

PHESGO may cause heart problems, including those without symptoms (such as reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (such as congestive heart failure).

  • The risk for and seriousness of these heart problems are highest in people who received both PHESGO and a certain type of chemotherapy (anthracycline)
  • Your doctor will check for signs of heart problems before, during, and after treatment with PHESGO. Based on test results, your doctor may hold or discontinue treatment with PHESGO
  • Contact a healthcare professional immediately for any of the following: new onset or worsening shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the ankles/legs, swelling of the face, palpitations, weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness or loss of consciousness
Pregnancy

Receiving PHESGO during pregnancy can result in the death of an unborn baby and birth defects.

  • Birth control should be used while receiving PHESGO and for 7 months after your last dose of PHESGO. If you are a mother who is breastfeeding, you should talk with your doctor about either stopping breastfeeding or stopping PHESGO
  • If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately
  • If you are exposed to PHESGO during pregnancy, or become pregnant while receiving PHESGO or within 7 months following the last dose of PHESGO, you are encouraged to report PHESGO exposure to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555
Lung

PHESGO may cause serious lung problems.

  • Your doctor may check for signs of lung problems including:
    • Severe shortness of breath
    • Fluid in or around the lungs
    • Weakening of the valve between the heart and the lungs
    • Not enough oxygen in the body
    • Swelling of the lungs
    • Scarring of the lungs

Who should not receive PHESGO?

Forbidden
  • PHESGO should not be used in patients who are allergic to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, hyaluronidase, or to any of the ingredients in PHESGO

What are other possible serious side effects?

White blood cells
  • PHESGO may worsen low white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy: Low white blood cell counts can be life threatening and were seen more often in patients receiving Herceptin® (trastuzumab) plus chemotherapy than in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Your doctor may check for signs of low white blood cell counts when he or she examines you
Administration
  • PHESGO may cause administration-related reactions: PHESGO is given as an injection. The active ingredients in PHESGO have been associated with severe administration reactions, including hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Talk to your doctor if you feel any symptoms. The most common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, swelling of the skin, breathing problems, or chest pain

What are the most common side effects?

Caution

The most common side effects of PHESGO when given with chemotherapy as part of an early breast cancer regimen are:

  • Hair Loss
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Low levels of red blood cells
  • Weakness

The most common side effects of PHESGO when given with docetaxel for treatment of breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Hair loss
  • Low levels of white blood cells with or without fever
  • Nausea
  • Feeling tired
  • Rash
  • Damage to the nerves (numbness, tingling, pain in hands/feet)

What should I know about side effects with PHESGO?

Question mark
  • Not all people have serious side effects; however, side effects with PHESGO therapy are common. It is important to know what side effects may happen and what symptoms you should watch for
  • Your doctor may stop treatment if serious side effects happen. Be sure to contact your healthcare team right away if you have questions or are worried about any side effects

You are encouraged to report side effects to Genentech and the FDA. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Talk to a healthcare professional for more information about the benefits and risks of PHESGO. 

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information, including most serious side effects.

If you cannot afford your medication, visit phesgo.com/financial-support for financial assistance information.