Keytruda Injection
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Keytruda Injection is used in the treatment of melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and cervical cancer.
Keytruda Injection is given as an infusion into the vein by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
Some common side effects of this medicine include rash, fatigue, fever, nausea and muscle pain. Some serious side effects which may occur during infusion include chills or shaking, itching, rash, flushing, difficulty breathing and dizziness. Hence, your doctor will check you timely after infusion for allergic reaction.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have lung disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
Uses of Keytruda Injection
Benefits of Keytruda Injection
In Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer includes cancer of the mouth, nose, sinuses or throat. Keytruda Injection kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol or smoking while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In Cervical cancer
Keytruda Injection is an anti-cancer medicine that is used to kill cancerous cells in cervical cancer, a cancer that develops in the cervix of a female. The affected female may have symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, foul smelling vaginal discharge, lower back pain, or may even have no symptoms at all. It has a lot of side effects and you must discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the major kinds of lung cancer and it affects both smokers as well as non-smokers. Keytruda Injection helps treat non-small cell lung cancer and may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment called melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its color. Melanoma is the most deadly and aggressive kind of skin cancer. Keytruda Injection sticks to the genetic code, called DNA,of the cancer cells and kills them . It also prevents their growth and further spread. This helps to treat the cancer.
Side effects of Keytruda Injection
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Keytruda
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Itching
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Cough
How to use Keytruda Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Keytruda Injection works
Keytruda Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works in certain cancer by working with immune system thereby activating T-cell mediated immune responses against tumor cells.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Keytruda Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Keytruda Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Keytruda Injection is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Keytruda Injection alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
CAUTION
Keytruda Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Keytruda Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Keytruda Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Keytruda Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Keytruda Injection?
If you miss a dose of Keytruda Injection, please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine
Quick tips
- Keytruda Injection helps your immune system fight cancer such as that of head, neck, lung, and skin.
- It is usually given through an infusion into your vein (IV) for about 30 minutes, every 3 weeks, by your doctor.
- It may make you feel tired or weak. Do not drive or use machines unless you are sure you are feeling well.
- Take adequate birth control measures while you are being treated with this medicine and for at least 4 months after your last dose, as it can cause harm to an unborn baby.
- Do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor first.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Monoclonal antibody (mAb)
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) Inhibitors
Interaction with drugs
Taking Keytruda with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
Do not use Pembrolizumab with Herpes Zoster / Shingles Vaccine (Recombinant, Adjuvanted).
Concurrent use may increase the risk of infections.
Do not use Pembrolizumab with Purified Vi Polysaccharide Typhoid Vaccine.
Concurrent use may increase the risk of infections.
Do not use Pembrolizumab with Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated).
Concurrent use may increase the risk of infections.
Do not consume Pembrolizumab with Budesonide. If concurrent use is essential, please consult your doctor.
If used together, Budesonide may interrupt the efficacy of Pembrolizumab.
Do not consume Pembrolizumab with Budesonide. If concurrent use is essential, please consult your doctor.
If used together, Budesonide may interrupt the efficacy of Pembrolizumab.
Patient concerns
User feedback
What are you using Keytruda Injection for?
Non-small cel*
65%
Head and neck*
13%
Others
13%
Melanoma
9%
*Non-small cell lung cancer, Head and neck cancer
How much was the improvement?
Excellent
42%
Average
33%
Poor
25%
What were the side-effects while using Keytruda Injection?
No Side Effec*
20%
Fatigue
20%
Decreased app*
20%
Fever
10%
Stomach pain
10%
*No Side Effect, Decreased appetite
How do you take Keytruda Injection?
With food
50%
Empty stomach
33%
With or witho*
17%
*With or without food
Please rate Keytruda Injection on price
Expensive
81%
Not Expensive
14%
Average
5%
Want to share the information?
Disclaimer:
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.References
- Pembrolizumab. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2014 [revised Oct. 2016]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Marketer details
Name: MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
Address: Platina, 8th Floor, C.59, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) , Mumbai - 400098,
Country of origin: India
Lab tests offered by us
Related/Popular tests
₹194828
Inclusive of all taxes
MRP₹216500 10% OFF
4.0 ml in 1 vial
SOLD OUT
