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sacituzumab govitecan

( SAK-i-TOOZ-ue-mab-GOE-vi-TEE-kan )
Other Name(s): Trodelvy®
Appearance: clear, yellow solution mixed into larger bags of fluids

Medication Information Sheet
sacituzumab govitecan (SAK-i-TOOZ-ue-mab-GOE-vi-TEE-kan )
This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.

Other Name: Trodelvy®

 

Appearance:
clear, yellow solution

mixed into larger bags of fluids

 

What is this medication for?
  • For treating certain types of breast cancer
What should I do before I have this medication?

Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had: 

  • liver problems, or

  • any allergies.
     

Talk to your health care team if you have Gilbert's syndrome or have been told you carry a UGT1A1 gene mutation (change). This can increase your risk of getting side effects from sacituzumab govitecan.
 

Remember to:

  • Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
     
  • Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.

You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.

How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Talk to your health care team about:

  • How this medication may affect your sexual health.

  • How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
     

This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.

  • If there is any chance you may become pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 6 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
     
  • If you are a patient that can get somebody pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 3 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
     

  • Do not breastfeed while on this medication and until 1 month after your last dose.
     

How is this medication given?
  • This medication is given through an IV (injected into a vein). Talk to your health care team about your treatment schedule.

  • This medication will be given over a longer period of time for the first dose. If you don't have problems with the first infusion, it will be given over a shorter time for the following doses.

  • You will be given this treatment along with other medications to help prevent side effects and allergic reactions.

  • If you missed your treatment appointment, talk to your health care team to find out what to do.

 

To Prevent Nausea and Vomiting

You will be given medications to help prevent nausea (feeling like throwing up) and vomiting (throwing up) before they start.

These are called anti-nausea medications and include medications such as ondansetron (Zofran®), granisetron (Kytril®), aprepitant (Emend®), dexamethasone or others.

 

To Prevent Allergic Reaction

You will be given medications before your treatment to help prevent allergic reactions before they start.

There are different types of medications to stop allergic reactions. They are called:

  • antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or Benadryl®)
  • H2 blockers (such as ranitidine or famotidine)
  • corticosteroids (such as prednisone)

 

To Treat Diarrhea

Sacituzumab govitecan can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea is when you have loose bowel movements (watery poo) or you need to go poo (have bowel movements) more often than usual. Diarrhea may start a few days after your treatment.

You will be given a medication called loperamide (Imodium®) to help treat your diarrhea. Take this medication only if you need it.

Keep your loperamide with you all the time. When diarrhea starts, take the loperamide right away unless your health care team told you to do something different.

If you start to have diarrhea: 

  • Take 2 tablets (4 mg) of loperamide right away.
  • Take 1 tablet (2 mg) after each loose bowel movement.
  • You may take up to 8 tablets (16 mg) daily.
  • Keep taking loperamide until you have no diarrhea for 12 hours.
     
What else do I need to know while on this medication?

Will this medication interact with other medications or natural health products?

  • This medication can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products. Interactions can make the treatment not work as well or cause severe side effects.

  • Tell your health care team about all of your:

    • prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)

    • natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements

  • Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
     

What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?

  • Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®)).

    • Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.

    • If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
       

How to check for fever:

Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).

  • You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
     
    • 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time

      OR
       
    • 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.


If you do have a fever:

  • Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
     
  • Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information. 
     

If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:

  • Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.

  • Talk to your health care team before you start taking Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.

  • Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.
     

What to DO while on this medication:

  • DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
     

What NOT to DO while on this medication:

  • DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.

 

What are the side effects of this medication?

The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting sacituzumab govitecan. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.

Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on sacituzumab govitecan.

 

    Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people)
    Side effects and what to doWhen to contact health care team

    Diarrhea and other early side effects that start during treatment or within 24 hours

    (May be severe)

    What to look for?

    • Loose, watery, unformed stool (poo)
    • Some other symptoms you may have include sweating a lot, belly cramps, runny nose, watery eyes, more saliva (spit) in your mouth than usual, redness (flushing) on your face or neck.
       

    What to do?

    • Let your healthcare team know right away if this happens. Medication(s) may be given to you to control these symptoms.
    Tell your health care team right away if you have any of these symptoms.

    Diarrhea that starts more than 24 hours after treatment

    What to look for?

    • Loose, watery, unformed stool (poo)
    • Diarrhea may be severe in some cases and it might cause dehydration (when your body doesn’t have enough water).
       

    What to do?

    If you have diarrhea:

    • Take loperamide (Imodium®) that your health care team prescribed or told you to take. Follow the instructions given to you by your health care team, or refer to “How is this medication given?” section on how to take loperamide (Imodium®).
    • Do not eat foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (like chewing gum or ‘diet’ drinks), coffee and alcohol.
    • Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
    • Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
    • Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need to drink special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.
    • Talk to your health care team if your diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication, if you have diarrhea more than 7 times in one day, or if you have a fever. If you are unable to talk to your health care team, get emergency medical help right away.

    Ask your health care team for the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

    Talk to your health care team if no improvement after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if severe (more than 7 times in one day).

    Low neutrophils (white blood cells) in the blood (neutropenia)

    (May be severe)

    When neutrophils are low, you are at risk of getting an infection more easily. Ask your health care team for the Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.
     

    What to look for?

    • If you feel hot or unwell (for example if you have chills or a new cough), you must check your temperature to see if you have a fever.
    • Do not take medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol® (acetaminophen), or Advil® (ibuprofen)).
    • Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.

    You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

    • 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time

      OR

    • 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
       

    What to do?

    If your health care team has told you that you have low neutrophils:

    • Wash your hands often to prevent infection.
    • Check with your health care team before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.
    • Keep a digital thermometer at home so you can easily check for a fever.

    If you have a fever:

    If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away.

    If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.

    Low platelets in the blood

    (May be severe)

    When your platelets are low, you are at risk for bleeding and bruising. Ask your health care team for the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information.
     

    What to look for?

    • Watch for signs of bleeding:
      • bleeding from your gums
      • unusual or heavy nosebleeds
      • bruising easily or more than normal
      • black coloured stools (poo) or blood in your stools (poo)
      • coughing up red or brown coloured mucus
      • dizziness, constant headache or changes in your vision
      • heavy vaginal bleeding
      • red or pink coloured urine (pee)
         

    What to do?

    If your health care team has told you that you have low platelets:

    • Tell your pharmacist that your platelet count may be low before taking any prescriptions or over-the-counter medication.
    • Check with your healthcare team before you go to the dentist.
    • Take care of your mouth and use a soft toothbrush.
    • Try to prevent cuts and bruises.
    • Ask your health care team what activities are safe for you.
    • Your treatment may have to be delayed if you have low platelets. Your health care team may recommend a blood transfusion.

    If you have signs of bleeding:

    • If you have a small bleed, clean the area with soap and water or a saline (saltwater) rinse. Apply pressure for at least 10 minutes.

    If you have bleeding that does not stop or is severe (very heavy), you must get emergency medical help right away.

    Talk to your health care team if you have any signs of bleeding. If you have bleeding that doesn’t stop or is severe (very heavy), you MUST get emergency help right away.

    Nausea and vomiting

    What to look for?

    • Nausea is feeling like you need to throw up. You may also feel light-headed.
    • You may feel nausea within hours to days after your treatment.
       

    What to do?

    To help prevent nausea:

    • It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it once it happens.
    • If you were given anti-nausea medication(s), take them as prescribed, even if you do not feel like throwing up.
    • Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
    • Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
    • Limit caffeine (like coffee, tea) and avoid alcohol.
       

    If you have nausea or vomiting:

    • Take your rescue (as-needed) anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed.
    • Ask your health care team for the Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.
    • Talk to your health care team if:
      • nausea lasts more than 48 hours
      • vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe
    Talk to your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe.

    Fatigue 

    What to look for?

    • Feeling of tiredness or low energy that lasts a long time and does not go away with rest or sleep.
       

    What to do?

    • Be active. Aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days.
    • Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
    • Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
    • Ask family or friends to help you with things like housework, shopping, and child or pet care.
    • Eat well and drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less).
    • Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired.

    Ask your health care team for the Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

     

    Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people)
    Side effects and what to doWhen to contact health care team

    Hair thinning or loss 

    What to look for?

    • Your hair may become thin or fall out during or after treatment.
    • In most cases, your hair will grow back after treatment. The texture or colour may change.
    • In very rare cases, hair loss may be permanent.
       

    What to do?

    • Use a gentle soft brush.
    • Do not use hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
       
    Talk to your health care team if this bothers you.

    Constipation

    What to look for?

    • Having bowel movements (going poo) less often than normal.
    • Small hard stools (poo) that look like pellets.
    • The need to push hard and strain to have any stool (poo) come out.
    • Stomach ache or cramps.
    • A bloated belly, feeling of fullness, or discomfort.
    • Leaking of watery stools (poo).
    • Lots of gas or burping.
    • Nausea or vomiting.
       

    What to do?

    To help prevent constipation:

    • Try to eat more fiber rich foods like fruits with skin, leafy greens and whole grains.
    • Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
    • Be Active. Exercise can help to keep you regular.
    • If you take opioid pain medication, ask your health care team if eating more fibre is right for you.
       

    To help treat constipation:

    • If you have not had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days you may need to take a laxative (medication to help you poo) to help you have regular bowel movements. Ask your health care team what to do.

    Ask your health care team for the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

    Allergic reaction

    What to look for?

    • Fever, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness.
    • It may happen during or shortly after your treatment is given to you and may be severe.


    What to do?

    • Tell your nurse right away if you feel any signs of allergic reaction during or just after your treatment.
    • Talk to your health care team for advice if you have a mild skin reaction.
    Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms.

    Low appetite

    What to look for?

    • Loss of interest in food or not feeling hungry.
    • Weight loss.


    What to do?

    • Try to eat your favourite foods.
    • Eat small meals throughout the day.
    • You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
    • Talk to your health care team if you have no appetite.

    Ask your health care team for the Loss of Appetite pamphlet for more information.

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

     

    Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people)
    Side effects and what to doWhen to contact health care team

    Cough and feeling short of breath

    What to look for?

    • You may have a cough and feel short of breath.
    • Symptoms that commonly occur with a cough are:
      • wheezing or a whistling breathing
      • runny nose
      • sore throat
      • heartburn
      • weight loss
      • fever and chills
    • Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood.
       

    What to do?

    • Check your temperature to see if you have a fever. Read the above section "What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?".
    • If you have a fever, try to talk to your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
    • If you have a severe cough with chest pain, trouble breathing or you are coughing up blood, get medical help right away.
       
    Talk to your health care team. If you are not able to talk to your health care team for advice, and you have a fever or severe symptoms, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.

    Headache; Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps 

    What to look for?

    • A mild headache
    • New pain in your muscles or joints, muscle cramps, or feeling achy.
       

    What to do?

    • Take pain medication (acetaminophen or opioids such as codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone) as prescribed.
    • Read the above section: "What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?" before taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or Aspirin. These medications may hide an infection that needs treatment or they may increase your risk of bleeding.
    • Rest often and try light exercise (such as walking) as it may help.

    Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information.

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

    Too much or too little salt in your body

    What to look for?

    • Muscle spasms, cramping, weakness, twitching, or convulsions.
    • Irregular heartbeat, confusion or blood pressure changes.
       

    What to do?

    Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms.
     

    Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms.

    Rash; dry, itchy skin

    What to look for?

    • You may have cracked, rough, flaking or peeling areas of the skin.
    • Your skin may look red and feel warm, like a sunburn.
    • Your skin may itch, burn, sting or feel very tender when touched.
       

    What to do?

    To prevent and treat dry skin:

    • Use fragrance-free skin moisturizer.
    • Protect your skin from the sun and the cold.
    • Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.
    • Avoid perfumed products and lotions that contain alcohol.
    • Drink 6 to 8 cups of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids each day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.

    Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.

     

     

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

    Liver problems

    Your health care team may check your liver function with a blood test. Liver changes do not usually cause any symptoms.


    What to look for?

    • Rarely, you may develop yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly. This may be severe.


    What to do?

    If you have any symptoms of liver problems, get emergency medical help right away.

    Get emergency medical help right away.

    Trouble Sleeping

    Your medications may cause trouble sleeping. It may get better once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends.
     

    What to look for?

    • You may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
    • How well you sleep may change over your treatment. For example, you may have several nights of poor sleep followed by a night of better sleep.
    • You may wake up too early or not feel well-rested after a night's sleep.
    • You may feel tired or sleepy during the day.
       

    What to do?

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe

    Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

     


    Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
    If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:

    • irregular heartbeat

       

    Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?          

    My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________

    During the day I should contact:________________________________________________

    Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________

     

    Other Notes:

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

    ____________________________________________________________________________

     

    December 2023 New information sheet

    For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.

    The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.

    A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.