Common Side Effects of Keytruda
Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, is a medication used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. While it has shown significant benefits in treating these conditions, it also comes with potential side effects. Understanding these side effects can help patients and their doctors manage treatment and minimize discomfort.
Fever, Fatigue, and Skin Problems
Patients taking Keytruda often experience [1] fever, which can range in severity from mild to severe. This is usually mild, but in rare cases, it can signal an infection that requires medical attention. Additionally, many patients experience fatigue, which can range from mild to severe and can impact daily activities.
Skin problems are also common, with patients experiencing rash, redness, and itching on the skin. This can be mild and temporary or, in rare cases, severe and persistent.
Immune-Related Side Effects
Keytruda works by increasing the body's ability to fight cancer by boosting its immune system. However, this also means that patients may experience immune-related side effects, including [2] thyroid problems, kidney damage, and inflammation of organs.
Liver Damage and Kidney Problems
Some patients taking Keytruda may experience liver damage, ranging from mild to severe. In rare cases, it can lead to liver failure, which requires immediate medical attention. Similarly, kidney problems have also been reported in patients taking Keytruda.
Neurological Side Effects
Some patients taking Keytruda may experience neurological side effects, including numbness or tingling in the hands and feet [3], muscle weakness, and memory problems.
Eye Problems
Keytruda has been linked to eye problems, including [4] dry eye and uveitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the eye.
Rare but Serious Side Effects
In rare cases, patients taking Keytruda have experienced serious side effects, including [5] pneumonitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the lungs, and myasthenia gravis, a condition that affects the nerve-muscle connection.
Monitoring and Management
To minimize side effects, patients taking Keytruda need to work closely with their doctors. Regular monitoring, including regular check-ups and blood tests, can help manage and prevent side effects.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/fda-keytruda
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/pembrolizumab.html
[3] https://www.webmd.com/melanoma/risks-of-keytruda
[4] https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/staying-safe-on-keytruda.html
[5] https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/immunotherapy/side-effects-of-immunotherapy.html