4-minute read

Patient receiving an infusion

Your Infusion and You: How to Prepare for Treatment With HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection

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If you and your health care provider (HCP) have decided that treatment with HALAVEN is right for you, you may have some questions about how you receive it. HALAVEN is administered as an infusion,1 which may be a different experience from other medications you have taken. With some basic precautions and a little preparation, managing the treatment may not seem so complicated.

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Blood test prior to infusion

Know before you go

First, let's review some important information. Before starting HALAVEN treatment for metastatic breast cancer (mBC), your HCP will need to review your medical history to make sure it's safe for you to take. It's important that you be upfront about all your medical conditions. In particular, your HCP will need to know if you have liver or kidney problems, heart problems (including a condition called congenital long QT syndrome), or low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.1 This information will be shared with the HCP administering your infusion.

Please be sure to let your HCP know if you are currently, or plan to become, pregnant. HALAVEN has not been studied in women who are pregnant, but it is believed it can potentially harm the fetus. If you think you may become pregnant, talk with your HCP about birth-control methods.1 Additionally, women are advised not to breastfeed during treatment with HALAVEN and for 2 weeks after the final dose.1

Your HCP will also need to know about all the medicines you are taking or if you are planning to take any new medications. Those can include prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines that you buy without a prescription, vitamins, or herbal supplements.1

Before you receive each dose of HALAVEN, your HCP will test your blood cell counts and examine you for numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands and feet.1 Sometimes, based on your medical condition and/or your blood test results, a decrease in dose or a change in scheduling, such as a dose delay, may be required.1

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Getting the timing right

You may be wondering what the difference is between an infusion and an injection—after all, they both involve needles. Injections are more common; the needle is inserted into a muscle, fatty tissue, or skin and the medicine is delivered in a matter of seconds. Infusions are used for medications that need to go directly into a vein. While some types of infusions can take a long time to administer, the HALAVEN infusion is given over a short period—2 to 5 minutes for each dose.1

HALAVEN is given in what's called a treatment cycle. The cycle consists of 2 doses administered 1 week apart, followed by 1 week off. Some people may require more than 1 cycle, in which case they would start again after the completion of the week off. Your HCP will determine how many treatment cycles you will require.1

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The infusion itself is relatively quick, but a little advance planning is recommended to fit it into your busy life. First off, you'll want to make sure you consider the whole treatment cycle when choosing a start date. You wouldn't want a scheduling conflict to interfere with the second dose or the start of another cycle. Less obvious, but equally important, is to have a plan for the blood tests you'll need before receiving HALAVEN. Work with your care team to determine when to get the tests or if you need to travel to an off-site location for them.

Rest and recovery

The most common side effects of HALAVEN in adults with breast cancer include low white blood cell count (neutropenia), low red blood cell count (anemia), weakness or tiredness, hair loss (alopecia), nausea, and constipation.1 Before you start HALAVEN treatment, it's a good idea to talk to your HCP if you experience these side effects so you know what to do if they occur.

Another note about scheduling: as you're planning the treatment cycle, give yourself time to rest and recover. Some people may feel tired or weak after the infusion, so avoid making plans for after your appointment. You may want someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

Resources

Whether you need a ride across town, or to arrange travel and an overnight stay, resources are available to help people with mBC get to their appointments. The PAN Foundation is one of several organizations that offer transportation assistance for people who need to travel far distances to receive care.2

mBC treatment is a lot for anyone to go through. Along with the physical aspects of the infusion and the potential after effects, your mental and emotional well-being needs to be managed as well. You can find a long list of mBC community groups and other support groups here. These groups are wonderful resources, and you may be able to connect with others who have been through their treatment cycles and are willing to share their experiences.

Conclusion

With a little advance planning, you can be prepared for the HALAVEN infusion process. Just be sure to review everything with your HCP so you can be prepared to make informed decisions and plan the treatment cycle in a way that fits into your schedule.

References References:
  1. HALAVEN [package insert]. Nutley, NJ: Eisai Inc.; 2021.
  2. PAN Foundation. Transportation. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.panfoundation.org/funds/transportation.