Keytruda is a prescription medication used to treat several different kinds of cancer. This medication is given by intravenous (IV) injection by a trained healthcare professional. Keytruda can cause severe infusion-related reactions and cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues, affecting the way they work.
Keytruda overview
BRAND NAMES:
Keytruda
Generic Names:
Keytruda
Uses:
Treats cancer, including certain types of bladder, colon, esophagus, rectum, skin, kidney, lung, liver, stomach, cervix, uterus, biliary tract, and head and neck cancer. It also treats certain kinds of solid tumors, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and tumor mutational burden-high cancer.
Therapeutic Classes:
Antineoplastic agent, immunological agent
Forms:
Injectable
How it’s taken:
By injection
What is Keytruda used for?
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy drug used to treat a variety of cancers. It is used to treat melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, renal cell cancer, cervical cancer, gastric cancer, and other conditions as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Keytruda causes the immune cells in your body to target and fight against cancer cells. It is indicated for use by adults and children for certain conditions. Keytruda is available as an IV injection.
Key takeaways
Your healthcare provider will decide how many treatments you need.
Keytruda treatment can affect how you feel. You may feel more tired or not feel like eating very much.
Discuss with your healthcare provider how to manage the side effects of diarrhea and nausea, as these can be common.
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects.
Reach out to your healthcare provider for any sign of a side effect, as this may help keep these problems from becoming more serious.
What form(s) does Keytruda come in
Injectable solution
100 mg/4 mL
What are common Keytruda doses?
The dose of Keytruda and length of therapy will depend on the type of cancer being treated.
Common Keytruda doses include 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks.
For adults, the dose is usually given every 3 weeks or 6 weeks. For children, the dose is usually given every 3 weeks.
Common Keytruda prescriptions
Keytruda
4ml of 100mg/4ml vial
How to take Keytruda
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through an intravenous (IV) line placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the IV line will have to stay in place for at least 30 minutes.
What to do if you miss a dose of Keytruda
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
Keytruda contraindications
Keytruda does not have any contraindications listed in the medication guide.
Keytruda warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 4 months after your last dose.
Do not breastfeed while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 4 months after the last dose.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Pneumonitis (lung problems)
Colitis (swelling of the colon), which might damage your digestive system
Hepatitis (swelling of the liver)
Adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid gland problems
Changes in blood sugar levels
Kidney problems, which could lead to kidney failure
Serious skin reactions
Increased risk of possible organ transplant rejection
Infusion reactions, which could be severe
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, lung disease, immune system problems (such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus), thyroid problems, or a nervous system condition (such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome). Tell your doctor if you have received an organ transplant (including kidney or liver transplant).
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keytruda interactions
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, diabetes, lung disease, or immune system problems.
This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby if using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control while you receive this medicine and for 4 months after your last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Keytruda side effects
Infusion reactions can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Contact emergency medical services if there are signs of an infusion reaction such as shortness of breath, wheezing, fainting, or chills/shaking.
Serious side effects
Fever, chills, shaking, rash, itchy skin
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Dark urine, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Joint, muscle, or bone pain
Bloody or cloudy urine, lower back or side pain, swelling of your face, feet, or lower legs
Increased hunger or thirst, dry mouth, sweating, changes in how much or how often you urinate
Bloody or black, tarry stools, diarrhea, severe stomach pain
Cough, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing, fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
Blurred vision or vision changes
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Redness, pain, swelling, or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
Unusual headaches, extreme tiredness, weight changes, feeling cold, voice changes, hair loss
Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
Less serious side effects
Feeling tired
Decreased appetite
Constipation or diarrhea
Joint or muscle pain
Sources:
Keytruda Drug Label Information, DailyMed
Keytruda, Merck
Pembrolizumab, StatPearls
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