Yes—people can be allergic to Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immune therapy (an immune checkpoint inhibitor). Like other biologic medicines, it can cause allergic reactions. Reports and prescribing information include hypersensitivity reactions, which can range from mild to life-threatening. [1]
What does a Keytruda allergy look like?
Allergic-type reactions can show up during treatment and may include symptoms such as:
- Rash or hives
- Itching
- Swelling (for example, face, lips, or tongue)
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Feeling faint or dizzy
Because Keytruda also can cause immune-related side effects that affect the skin and other organs, symptoms may overlap with non-allergic immune toxicities—so clinicians treat new reactions urgently and determine the cause. [1]
How serious can it get?
Allergic reactions can be severe, including anaphylaxis (a sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction). If a severe reaction happens, clinicians generally stop the drug and treat the emergency. [1]
Who is at higher risk for an allergic reaction?
Risk can be higher if someone has:
- A known allergy to pembrolizumab or any ingredient in the formulation
- A history of serious hypersensitivity reactions to similar immune therapies
Your oncology team will review prior reactions and decide whether Keytruda can be continued or must be changed. [1]
What should patients do if they think they’re having an allergic reaction?
Seek emergency care right away if there are signs of a severe reaction (trouble breathing, swelling of the face/tongue, fainting, or widespread hives). For less severe symptoms, patients should still contact their oncology team promptly, because immune-related reactions can also require treatment and dose changes. [1]
Does allergy to Keytruda mean they can’t use other cancer immunotherapies?
Not necessarily. A “Keytruda allergy” could be specific to pembrolizumab, but it also may reflect how the immune system is responding. Whether another immune checkpoint inhibitor is safe depends on what happened, how severe it was, and the likely cause. That decision is individualized by the treating team. [1]
Source
- https://www.drugs.com/keytruda.html