Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Keytruda Used For?
Keytruda contains pembrolizumab and is used to treat multiple kinds of cancer. It works by helping your immune system fight your cancer.
Primary Uses
Keytruda treats many types of cancer including: melanoma (skin cancer), non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, urothelial carcinoma (including bladder cancer), colon or rectal cancer, biliary tract carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, cervical cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer. It may be used for cancers that have spread or cannot be removed by surgery.
How It Works
Keytruda works by helping your immune system fight your cancer. It acts on your immune system and may cause inflammation in parts of your body.
Good to know: Keytruda may be given in combination with other anti-cancer medicines with or without radiation therapy to improve treatment effectiveness.
How to Take Keytruda
Your doctor will give you Keytruda through an IV (intravenous) infusion. The treatment is administered in a medical facility by healthcare professionals.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will give you Keytruda through an IV for about 30 minutes. Most people get Keytruda every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks, depending on the dose you are given. Your doctor will decide how many treatments you need.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose of Keytruda, call your doctor right away to reschedule your appointment. It is very important that you do not miss a dose of this medicine.
Important: Never miss a scheduled dose – contact your doctor immediately to reschedule if you cannot make your appointment.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Itching
- Rash
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Feeling tired
- Cough
- Patches of skin which have lost color
- Stomach pain
- Decreased sodium levels in blood
- Fever
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Decreased white blood cell count
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Lung problems (shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing)
- Intestinal problems (severe diarrhea, black or bloody stools, severe stomach pain)
- Liver problems (nausea, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, easy bruising)
- Kidney problems (changes in urine amount or color)
- Hormone gland problems (rapid heartbeat, weight changes, hair loss, muscle aches, severe headaches)
- Blood sugar problems (increased hunger/thirst, frequent urination)
- Severe skin problems (blistering, peeling, mouth ulcers)
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath)
- Nerve problems (pain, weakness, paralysis in arms and legs)
- Blood disorders (anemia, decreased blood cell production)
- Infusion reactions (shortness of breath, itching, dizziness, fever)
- Organ transplant rejection
- Graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplant recipients
Important Warnings
Keytruda can cause serious side effects that may become life-threatening. It’s important to discuss your medical history with your doctor before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Keytruda
Check with your doctor if you have an autoimmune disease (like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis or lupus), had an organ transplant or bone marrow transplant using donor stem cells, have pneumonia or lung inflammation, or have liver damage.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about any autoimmune diseases, organ transplants, lung problems, or liver damage. If you already have an autoimmune disease, your risk of side effects may be higher and you may experience flares of your condition.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Keytruda can cause harm or death to your unborn baby. You must use effective contraception while being treated and for at least 4 months after the last dose if you are a woman who could become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking Keytruda.
Transplant Recipients: People who have had organ or bone marrow transplants may have increased risk of organ rejection or graft-versus-host disease, which can be severe and lead to death.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Keytruda and affect how it works. It’s especially important to tell your doctor about medicines that weaken your immune system.
- Steroids such as prednisone
- Other medicines that make your immune system weak
- Any prescription medicines
- Vitamins or supplements bought without prescription
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery as Keytruda may cause fatigue that could affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Keytruda affects you. Fatigue has been reported following administration of Keytruda.
Storage
It is unlikely that you will be asked to store Keytruda yourself. It will usually be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward at the medical facility where you receive treatment.
Overdose Information
Since Keytruda is given by healthcare professionals in a medical setting, overdose is unlikely. If you experience any concerning symptoms during or after treatment, contact your healthcare team immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The timeline for Keytruda to work varies by individual and cancer type. Your doctor will monitor your response to treatment and decide how many treatments you need.
If you miss a dose of Keytruda, call your doctor right away to reschedule your appointment. It is very important that you do not miss a dose of this medicine.
Yes, Keytruda may be given in combination with other anti-cancer medicines with or without radiation therapy. Your doctor will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Keytruda can be used in children and adolescents 12 years and older for certain cancers like melanoma, classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, and other specific conditions. It is not known if Keytruda is safe and effective in children with other cancers.
Most people get Keytruda every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks, depending on the dose you are given. Your doctor will decide the frequency and number of treatments you need.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being given Keytruda. This is important for your safety and proper medical care.
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Keytruda affects you. Fatigue has been reported following administration of Keytruda.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.