T-DM1 (Trastuzumab emtansine)

Uses

Side Effects

Uses

What is T-DM1 (Trastuzumab emtansine) for?

T-DM1 is a drug that is used to treat breast cancer. It consists of an antibody (trastuzumab) and a chemotherapy drug called DM1 (also known as emtansine) linked together. The antibody helps deliver DM1 more specifically to cancer cells, to fight against them.

Side Effects

What are some common side effects of T-DM1 (Trastuzumab emtansine)?

During infusion

Development of itch, rashes, fever, chills and rigors, difficulty breathing
Redness pain or swelling at the injection site

Please alert your nurse if you experience any of the above symptoms during the infusion.

Possible side effects

Fatigue or muscle ache
Numbness and tingling in your feet or hands
Constipation or diarrhea
Decrease in the number of blood cells
This may put you at a higher risk of infections, bleeding or bruising.

Please seek medical attention if any of the following occurs:

Signs of liver toxicity e.g. severe abdominal pain, tea-coloured urine, yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes
Unusual bleeding, bruising or black tarry stools
Fever of 38°C or higher
Shortness of breath, worsening or persistent dry cough
Abnormal chest pain, irregular heartbeat or persistent swelling of lower legs

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity, and Watsons), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.