How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
-
1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
-
2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma®
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
-
3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
-
4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma® Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
-
5. Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma® puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
-
6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Herceptin?
Trastuzumab is also known by the brand name Herceptin. Herceptin is an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) drug that belongs to a class called Anti-HER2.
It is a type of chemotherapy that prevents cancer cells from multiplying and restricts their growth.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment in which certain drugs are used to kill cancerous cells. These drugs are usually cytotoxic chemical substances that are toxic to the cells, restrict their growth, prevent their division, and ultimately kill the cells.
How Is Herceptin Used?
Herceptin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat different types of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and stomach cancer. It can be prescribed alone or with other anti-cancer medications.
Available Formulations
Herceptin is available as a solution for intravenous injection only. It is most commonly available in 150 mg strength. The total duration of therapy typically should not exceed 1 year (52 weeks), but this may vary depending on the patient’s condition and cancer severity.
What To Avoid While Taking Herceptin
While taking Herceptin therapy, you must follow some precautions. Always tell your physician about any medications you are already taking. Do not take any drug or medicine (even herbals, vitamins, or over-the-counter medications) without prior consent from your physician or pharmacist. They may have some significant interactions with Herceptin.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Pharmacy alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
-
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
-
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
-
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Directions for Use
Herceptin is typically dosed to be given once every 1 to 3 weeks, depending on cancer type and severity. Verify the correct dose and frequency with your provider. The dose should not be more or less than what is prescribed. The dose is determined using the patient’s body weight. The initial dose (also known as the loading dose) is typically infused over 90 minutes if tolerated, and subsequent infusions (maintenance doses) can be infused over 30 – 90 minutes.
Do not administer Herceptin with dextrose in water (D5W) or with any other medications. It should be mixed with bacteriostatic or sterile water for injection only and diluted with normal saline. Herceptin should NOT be administered as an IV push or rapid bolus. Trastuzumab is available alone or in combination with other drugs. Different trastuzumab products are NOT interchangeable; only administer exact medication prescribed.
Missed Dose
This medicine needs to be administered on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, contact your physician for further instructions immediately.
Typically, if the dose is missed by one week or less, the usual maintenance dose should be given as soon as possible (do not wait until the next planned cycle). Subsequent maintenance doses should be administered 1 to 3 weeks later (based on the patient’s normal maintenance dose schedule).
If a dose is missed by over one week, a re-loading dose should be administered over 90 minutes as soon as possible. The usual maintenance dose is then administered 1 to 3 weeks later (based on the patient’s normal maintenance dose schedule).
Herceptin Side Effects
Serious side effects include:
- Weight loss
- Cardiac complications
- Kidney complications
- Hepatitis B reactivation
- Lung damage
- Bone, joint, back, and muscle pain
- Infusion-related reactions
Other common side effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flu or cold-like symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Change in taste
- Trouble sleeping
- Mouth sores or irritation
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
By submitting, you agree to AmeriPharma’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Notice of Privacy Practices