Day 1: Infusion Day
You aren’t likely to experience side effects during the infusion, unless you have an allergic reaction, such as a rash or facial flushing. This is why you’ll stay for monitoring after your first infusion.
Days 2–4
In the days that follow, you may experience side effects, such as constipation, a decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea. (Your doctor may have given you medication before the infusion to help prevent nausea and vomiting.)
Days 5–7
Some side effects you experienced after the initial infusion, including fatigue, may start to get better, while others may persist. Continue to let your care team know how you’re doing.
Week 2
If you’re taking sacituzumab govitecan, you’ll receive a second infusion at the start of week 2 (day 8), and you may experience side effects in the days after. If the side effects are too strong or your blood counts are off, your doctor may decide to decrease the dose for your next infusion.
If you’re taking datopotamab deruxtecan or trastuzumab deruxtecan, you will have the week off, with no infusion, and any treatment side effects should continue to improve.
Month 3: Check In Again
Week 3
Regardless of which drug you take, week 3 will be a week off from infusions. Any side effects you’ve experienced should continue to improve, and you should start to feel better.
Week 4
Based on your individual circumstances, you may begin another infusion cycle. Your doctor will work with you to determine how many rounds you’ll go through, monitor how treatment is going, and make adjustments along the way.
Week 3
Regardless of which drug you take, week 3 will be a week off from infusions. Any side effects you’ve experienced should continue to improve, and you should start to feel better.
Week 3
Regardless of which drug you take, week 3 will be a week off from infusions. Any side effects you’ve experienced should continue to improve, and you should start to feel better.
Week 3
Regardless of which drug you take, week 3 will be a week off from infusions. Any side effects you’ve experienced should continue to improve, and you should start to feel better.
Every Few Months
Your doctor will ask you to come in for follow-up scans and testing to monitor how well the antibody-drug conjugate is working and decide whether you should continue treatment.
