Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) Injection 100mg/4ml
Keytruda is King' in lung cancer, putting BMS and next-gen in the shade
Key takeaways
Keytruda is a type of immunotherapy drug used for certain cancers. It contains the active ingredient pembrolizumab.
Side effects can vary based on whether you receive other drugs with Keytruda. Common side effects include fatigue, digestive problems, and skin reactions.
Keytruda’s price varies based on your insurance coverage and location. Financial assistance programs are available.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Keytruda for use in adults to treat certain types of:
skin cancer
lung cancer
head and neck cancer
lymphoma
bladder cancer
solid tumors with specific gene changes
colorectal cancer
stomach cancer
esophageal cancer
cervical cancer
liver cancer
biliary tract cancer
kidney cancer
endometrial cancer
breast cancer
pleural mesothelioma
Keytruda is also FDA approved for use in certain children to treat specific types of skin cancer, lymphoma, and solid tumors.
For more details about Keytruda’s uses, see the “What is Keytruda used for?” section.
Drug details
You’ll find key information about Keytruda in the following list.
Drug class: programmed death receptor-1 inhibitor, which is a type of immunotherapy
Drug form: intravenous infusion
Generic or biosimilar available? no
Prescription required? yes
Controlled substance? no
Year of FDA approval: 2014
Accelerated approval? yesTrusted Source, for certain types of solid tumors
Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
Medically reviewed by Olivia Taylor, PharmD, BCPS — Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD — Updated on August 21, 2025
Contents
Side effects
Cost
Uses
Generic or biosimilar
Similar drugs
Keytruda vs. Opdivo
Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Keytruda vs. Imfinzi
Dosage
FAQ
Interactions
Considerations
Precautions
Key takeaways
Keytruda is a type of immunotherapy drug used for certain cancers. It contains the active ingredient pembrolizumab.
Side effects can vary based on whether you receive other drugs with Keytruda. Common side effects include fatigue, digestive problems, and skin reactions.
Keytruda’s price varies based on your insurance coverage and location. Financial assistance programs are available.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Keytruda for use in adults to treat certain types of:
skin cancer
lung cancer
head and neck cancer
lymphoma
bladder cancer
solid tumors with specific gene changes
colorectal cancer
stomach cancer
esophageal cancer
cervical cancer
liver cancer
biliary tract cancer
kidney cancer
endometrial cancer
breast cancer
pleural mesothelioma
Keytruda is also FDA approved for use in certain children to treat specific types of skin cancer, lymphoma, and solid tumors.
For more details about Keytruda’s uses, see the “What is Keytruda used for?” section.
Drug details
You’ll find key information about Keytruda in the following list.
Drug class: programmed death receptor-1 inhibitor, which is a type of immunotherapy
Drug form: intravenous infusion
Generic or biosimilar available? no
Prescription required? yes
Controlled substance? no
Year of FDA approval: 2014
Accelerated approval? yesTrusted Source, for certain types of solid tumors
Keytruda side effects
Keytruda can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while receiving Keytruda. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
For more information about the possible side effects, see this Keytruda side effects article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Keytruda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Mild side effects
The following is a partial list of mild side effects of Keytruda. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Keytruda’s prescribing information. Keytruda’s side effects may be different when given in combination with chemotherapy or other anticancer medications.
Mild side effects of Keytruda can include:
fatigue
musculoskeletal pain
rash
diarrhea
fever
cough
low appetite
itching
shortness of breath
constipation
pain in the abdomen
nausea
hair loss
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Keytruda aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
Colitis (inflammation in your colon) that’s caused by an immune system reaction. Symptoms can include:
bloating or cramping in your abdomen
diarrhea
fever
Hepatitis (inflammation in your liver) or liver damage that’s caused by an immune system reaction. Signs and symptoms can include:
high levels of liver enzymes (certain types of proteins)
pain in the upper-right part of your abdomen
itchy skin
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
nausea or vomiting
Hormone disorders, including hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone level), which are caused by an immune system reaction. Symptoms can include:
fatigue
depression
dry skin
constipation
muscle weakness
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level)
Nephritis (inflammation in your kidneys) that’s caused by an immune system reaction. Symptoms can include:
urinating more often than usual
burning sensation when you’re urinating
pain in your pelvis
cloudy or bloody urine
fever
swelling, which commonly occurs in your feet, legs, and face
Infusion reaction (an immune system reaction that happens during or shortly after receiving a drug infusion). Symptoms can include:
fever
chills
itchy skin
wheezing
rash
low blood pressure
Pneumonitis (inflammation in your lungs). Symptoms may include:
headache
fever and chills
muscle aches
tightness in your chest
dry cough
Side effects in children
The side effects of Keytruda reported in children are similar to those reported in adults.
However, in clinical trials, certain Keytruda side effects occurred more frequently in children than in adults. Examples include fever, vomiting, headache, and abdominal pain.
If your child is prescribed Keytruda, their doctor can tell you about what side effects your child might experience.
ALLERGIC REACTION
Keytruda can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect occurred in the drug’s clinical trials.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should continue treatment with the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as trouble breathing or severe skin reactions, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Keytruda, your doctor may recommend trying a different medication instead.