Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain cancers. The drug comes as a powder that’s mixed with liquid to make a solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. It’s usually given on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day treatment cycle.
Trodelvy is used in adults to treat the following cancers in certain situations:
- triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
- urothelial cancer (cancers that affect the urinary tract, such as certain bladder cancers)
The active ingredient in Trodelvy is sacituzumab govitecan-hziy. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Trodelvy belongs to a group of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates. It’s a biologic, which means that it’s
This article describes the dosage of Trodelvy, as well as its strength and how it’s given. To learn more about Trodelvy, including its uses, see this in-depth article.
This section covers common dosage information for Trodelvy. Before you start Trodelvy treatment, your doctor will discuss a dosing schedule specific to your condition.
What is Trodelvy’s form?
Trodelvy comes as a powder. A healthcare professional will prepare Trodelvy for administration by mixing the powder with liquid to make a solution. They’ll give you the drug as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time).
What strength does Trodelvy come in?
Trodelvy comes in one strength: 180 milligrams (mg).
What are the usual dosages of Trodelvy?
The dosage of Trodelvy is based on body weight. Your doctor will calculate your dosage using your weight in kilograms (kg).*
There’s no loading dose for Trodelvy. (A loading dose is a higher dose of a drug taken at the start of treatment. A higher dose may help the body respond faster to some drugs.) But if you have serious side effects from Trodelvy, your doctor may recommend a dose reduction. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to take before each Trodelvy dose to lower the risk of certain side effects from Trodelvy.
The information below describes dosages of Trodelvy that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
* One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds.
Dosage for urothelial cancer or breast cancer
The recommended dosage for Trodelvy is 10 mg per kg of body weight given on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day treatment cycle. Your doctor will have you repeat this cycle for as long as the drug is safe and effective for your condition.
Is Trodelvy used long term?
Yes, Trodelvy is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Trodelvy is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
If your cancer worsens or you have serious side effects from this medication, your doctor may have you stop Trodelvy treatment.
Dosage adjustments
If you have certain side effects from Trodelvy, your doctor may decrease your Trodelvy dosage. They may also slow your infusion time.
Your doctor may have you permanently stop Trodelvy if your side effects are severe or they continue after a dose reduction.
A healthcare professional will give you Trodelvy as an intravenous (IV) infusion* at a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital. Before each dose, they may give you medications to help prevent certain side effects from Trodelvy.
You’ll receive a Trodelvy dose on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day treatment cycle. In other words, you’ll receive a Trodelvy infusion on one day of the first and second weeks of a 3-week cycle. You won’t receive a Trodelvy dose during the third week of the cycle.
The infusion time of your first dose will likely be longer than for doses that follow, as described below.
* An IV infusion is an injection into a vein given over time.
First Trodelvy infusion
Your first Trodelvy infusion will take about 3 hours. Afterward, a healthcare professional will observe you for at least 30 minutes. They’ll watch for signs of serious side effects from the infusion or the medication.
If you have serious side effects during the infusion, the healthcare professional may slow down or stop the infusion.
Trodelvy infusions after the first one
If you don’t have severe side effects during your first Trodelvy dose, you’ll receive subsequent infusions over the course of 1 to 2 hours. As with your first dose, a healthcare professional will monitor you for at least 30 minutes afterward to see if you have side effects.
The dosage of Trodelvy you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- your weight
- how the cancer you’re using Trodelvy to treat responds to the medication
- side effects you may develop
It’s important that you keep your appointments for your Trodelvy infusions. If you think you’re going to miss an appointment, contact your doctor’s office right away to reschedule.
If you need help remembering your Trodelvy appointments, try marking your appointments on a calendar. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Trodelvy for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Should my dosage increase if Trodelvy isn’t working well enough for me?
- Should I receive a lower dosage of Trodelvy if I have liver problems?
- Would a slower infusion time reduce my risk of side effects from Trodelvy?
To learn more about Trodelvy, see these articles:
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Q:
Will my Trodelvy dosage need to change if I develop a fever?
AnonymousA:
Your doctor will likely adjust your dosage if you develop febrile neutropenia during Trodelvy treatment. With febrile neutropenia, you develop a fever of 38.3°C (101°F) or higher, or above 38°C (100.4°F) for 1 hour or more, while having very low levels of neutrophils. (Neutrophils are a kind of white blood cell that helps your body fight infections.)
If you develop this side effect, you’ll need to stop receiving Trodelvy until your neutrophil levels improve. Your doctor may give you medication to help your body make more white blood cells.
After your fever goes away and your neutrophil levels improve, your doctor will likely have you restart Trodelvy treatment at a lower dosage.
Your doctor will further reduce your dosage if you have febrile neutropenia again. If it happens a third time, they’ll likely have you permanently stop Trodelvy treatment. Your doctor may also have you permanently stop treatment if you develop neutropenia that lasts beyond 3 weeks.
If you notice you have a fever during Trodelvy treatment, contact your doctor right away.
Note: Trodelvy has boxed warnings for the risk of severe neutropenia as well as risk of severe diarrhea.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.