Key facts about Pembrolizumab
What dosages is Pembrolizumab available in?
Pembrolizumab is available as a 100 mg/4 mL (25 mg/mL) injection for IV use.
What is Pembrolizumab used for?
Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 inhibitor and is used for the following:
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Head and neck cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
- Bladder cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Biliary tract cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial carcinoma (uterine cancer)
- Triple-negative breast cancer
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell skin carcinoma
- Cancers with high tumor mutation burden (TMB-H), high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR)
How does Pembrolizumab work?
Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy medication that blocks the PD-1 pathway. It’s also called a PD-1 inhibitor or checkpoint inhibitor. By blocking the PD-1 pathway, Pembrolizumab helps the immune system find and recognize cancer cells again. As a result, the immune system can attack and kill the cancer cells and stop the cancer from growing.
How do I take Pembrolizumab?
Pembrolizumab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion at a medical office or infusion center. Your dose depends on your treatment plan.
- Adults: The typical dose is either 200 mg given IV once every 3 weeks OR 400 mg given IV once every 6 weeks. Whether you take Pembrolizumab by itself or together with other anticancer therapies depends on your cancer
- Children (for certain cancers only): The dose is calculated based on body weight (kg). The typical dose is 2 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 200 mg) given IV once every 3 weeks
Is it safe for me to take Pembrolizumab?
Pembrolizumab is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Pembrolizumab Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Pembrolizumab:
- Higher blood sugar
- Anemia
- Higher liver enzyme levels
- Electrolyte changes in blood
- Lower white blood cells
- Tiredness
- Lower appetite
- Trouble breathing
- Cough
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
Pembrolizumab Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Pembrolizumab. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious immune-related side effects: rash, diarrhea, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe stomach pain, mucus or blood in stool
- Serious reaction during infusion: chills, fever, itching, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Pembrolizumab
There are no major drug interactions listed for Pembrolizumab. However, always let your physician and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking.
Who makes Pembrolizumab?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Pembrolizumab safe in pregnancy?
Based on its mechanism of action, Pembrolizumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Females should have a pregnancy test before starting Pembrolizumab and use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
