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Phesgo®

(pertuzumab & trastuzumab)

Pronounced Fes-go

Phesgo is the combination of Perjeta® (pertuzumab) and Herceptin® (trastuzumab) given as a single subcutaneous injection. Phesgo is a targeted therapy for the treatment of early HER2-positive breast cancer and advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.

Ask your doctor if Phesgo is right for you.

For more information on what to expect during treatment with Phesgo click here for the Consumer Medicine Information or download the Phesgo Patient information booklet in the Handy resources section below. 

How to access Phesgo

Phesgo for HER2-positive breast cancer is not funded by PHARMAC.  This means you will need to pay for it privately.

If you have health insurance, carefully check what’s covered — every health insurance provider has different rules and benefits that cover cancer treatment, surgery, tests and appointments. Roche also offer support through a Cost Share Programme.  

The Phesgo Cost Share Programme
• offers assistance with the cost of your medicine.  A number of doses (or cycles) of the medicine are provided at no charge (the cost of the medicine only – doctors fees and administration costs will still apply). 
• for more information on the Phesgo Cost Share Programme, please talk to your doctor.

Ready to take the next step

Making decisions about treatment options involves working through the advantages and disadvantages, so you can decide what may work best for you and your loved ones. 

Because every situation is different, it’s important to speak to your doctor to find out if Phesgo is right for you.

Talking to your doctor about Phesgo

To help you in this process, we’ve put together a discussion guide to help you begin a conversation with your doctor. Print it off, take it along to your next appointment, and take notes in the spaces provided.

download
For further information about private treatment providers click here.

You can also talk to your current doctor about referral to a private doctor or treatment centre.

To learn more about how medicines become available in New Zealand, click here.

Handy resources

The following resources contain useful information on Phesgo such as what it is for, how it works, things to consider before starting treatment and what to expect during treatment including side effects. 

Phesgo patient booklet
DOWNLOAD
What does my pathology report mean?
DOWNLOAD
Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information
DOWNLOAD
Discussion guide
DOWNLOAD

HER2 PV Pregnancy Program

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, Phesgo may be harmful to an unborn baby.  If there is a need for Phesgo treatment when you are pregnant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby. You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with Phesgo and for 7 months after stopping treatment.

If you become pregnant while receiving Phesgo, or within 7 months following the last dose of Phesgo, please contact your oncologist for medical advice.  Report the pregnancy to Roche Patient Safety at nz.drugsafety@roche.com or 0800 276 243.

Additional information will be requested during a Phesgo-exposed pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. This will enable Roche to better understand the safety of Phesgo and to provide appropriate information to health authorities, healthcare providers, and patients.

For additional information, please refer to the Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz

 

 

Phesgo® (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) 600 mg/600 mg and 1200 mg/600 mg solution for subcutaneous injection is a Prescription Medicine used for early breast cancer, either before or after surgery and for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Phesgo has risks and benefits.  Possible less serious  side effects include: constipation, indigestion or stomach pain, sore mouth, throat or gut, fatigue or tiredness, getting tired more easily after light physical activity such as walking, shortness of breath especially when lying down or being woken from your sleep with shortness of breath, nail problems especially inflammation where the nail meets the skin, hair loss, feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale, hot flushes, frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers, nose bleeds, heartburn, eye problems such as producing more tears, insomnia (trouble sleeping), weak, numb, tingling, prickling or painful sensations mainly affecting the feet and legs, dry, itchy or acne like skin, loss of appetite, loss of or altered taste, joint or muscle pain, muscle weakness, sore throat, red, sore or runny nose, flu-like symptoms, and fever which may lead to infection of the ear, nose, or throat, pain at the injection site, reddened skin (erythema) and bruising at the injection site, general pain in the body, arms, legs and/or belly  including sharp jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain, feeling pain from something which should not be painful, such as a light touch, reduced ability to feel changes in temperature, loss of balance or coordination.

Do not use Phesgo if: you are pregnant or if you are allergic to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, or any of the ingredients in Phesgo.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms: allergic or anaphylactic reactions: including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing, or swelling of other parts of your body,  shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing, rash, itching or hives on the skin, feeling sick (nausea), fever or chills, headache or feeling tired; injection related reactions: these may be mild or more severe and may include feeling sick or vomiting, fever, chills, feeling tired, headache, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pains and hot flushes; heart problems: slower or faster heartbeat than usual, fluttering of the heart, abnormal or irregular heartbeat, cough, shortness of breath, swelling (fluid retention) in your legs or arms; tumour lysis syndrome (where cancer cells die quickly): kidney problems – signs include weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion, heart problems – signs include fluttering of the heart or a faster or slower heartbeat, seizures (fits), vomiting or diarrhoea and tingling in the mouth, hands or feet; severe chest pain: spreading out to the arms, neck, shoulder or back and diarrhoea: may be mild or moderate.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional.

For more information about Phesgo talk to your health professional; or visit medsafe.govt.nz for the Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information; or visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Ask your doctor if Phesgo is right for you.

Phesgo is an unfunded medicine for breast cancer. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.

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