Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy drug used to treat several types of cancer, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, and head and neck cancers. It is sold under the brand name Keytruda and is usually given as an intravenous infusion.
Pembrolizumab 200 mg is a common dosage administered every three to six weeks, depending on the condition being treated. The drug works by boosting the body s immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells.
What Is Pembrolizumab?
Pembrolizumab is a highly selective humanized PD-1 receptor monoclonal antibody against IgG4-kappa. It was developed by grafting the variable sequences of a high-affinity mouse anti-human PD-1 antibody onto a human IgG4-kappa isotype with a stabilizing S228P mutation in the Fc region. Pembrolizumab, known by its brand name Keytruda, is a type of immunotherapy . It can be used totreat non-smallcell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma skin cancer, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Pembrolizumab Uses
Pembrolizumab is prescribed to treat melanoma that cannot be treated with surgery or has spread or to prevent the return of melanoma after surgery.
It is used for some forms of NSCLC that are not treatable by surgery, other chemotherapy , or radiation therapy, or that have spread or worsened during or after chemotherapy.
Pembrolizumab is also used for small-cell lung cancer that has spread or worsened during or after treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Secondary Uses of Pembrolizumab
Used in combination with chemotherapy for certain types of lung and breast cancers
Helps treat cancers with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR)
Applied in cases of advanced bladder and esophageal cancers
Investigated for use in triple-negative breast cancer and some blood cancers (in clinical trials)
Used in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer after other treatments fail
Pembrolizumab Dosage
Pembrolizumab 200 mg is typically given as an intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes every 3 or 6 weeks, depending on the type and stage of cancer. The exact dosage and schedule are determined by a healthcare provider based on individual response and cancer type.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If a dose of pembrolizumab is missed, contact your doctor or treatment center as soon as possible. Your healthcare provider will reschedule the infusion to maintain treatment continuity.
What Happens If There is an Overdose?
An overdose of pembrolizumab is rare due to its administration in a clinical setting. However, if it happens, patients may experience intensified immune-related side effects. Immediate medical care is necessary to manage symptoms and prevent serious complications.
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Pembrolizumab activates the immune system to fight cancer, but this stimulation can also lead the immune system to attack healthy tissues. This results in inflammatory side effects called immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can affect the lungs, liver, intestines, thyroid, or kidneys.
While pembrolizumab is an effective cancer treatment, it can cause rare but serious immune-related side effects. These occur when the immune system starts attacking healthy organs. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if any of the following symptoms appear:
Severe inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
Liver problems (hepatitis) yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine
Always report unusual or worsening symptoms to your doctor during pembrolizumab therapy.
Precautions and Warnings
Who Should Avoid Pembrolizumab?
Pregnant women should not use pembrolizumab, as it may harm the unborn baby.
Breastfeeding is not recommended during and for several months after treatment.
Children: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients may vary by cancer type. Use only if approved by a specialist.
Conditions Requiring Caution
Patients with a history of autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
Liver problems or hepatitis
Kidney disorders
Organ transplant recipients (increased risk of rejection)
Known allergy to pembrolizumab or its components
Are There Any Age Restrictions?
Pembrolizumab is primarily approved for adults. Pediatric use depends on specific indications and should be guided by a specialist.
Alcohol or Food Interactions
There are no known direct interactions between pembrolizumab and food or alcohol. However, patients should avoid alcohol if they have liver-related side effects or are on other hepatotoxic medications.
Possible Drug Interactions
Pembrolizumab may interact with:
Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., corticosteroids), which can reduce their effectiveness
Other cancer immunotherapies may increase the risk of side effects
Supplements and Herbal Products
Some herbal supplements, such as echinacea, that affect the immune system could interfere with pembrolizumab's action. Always inform your doctor about all supplements you're taking.
How Should Pembrolizumab Be Stored?
Pembrolizumab should be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and protected from light. Do not freeze.
What Happens If Pembrolizumab Is Not Stored Properly?
If stored at incorrect temperatures or exposed to light, pembrolizumab may lose its effectiveness and become unsafe to use. Always keep it in a controlled medical setting and handled by professionals.
Pembrolizumab vs Mitomycin
Pembrolizumab
Mitomycin
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is an immunotherapy that helps the immune system detect and destroy cancer cells.
Mitomycin is a chemotherapy drug used with other medicines to treat stomach and pancreatic cancers.
Used for small-cell lung cancer that has spread or worsened after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Acts as an antibiotic in cancer therapy to prevent or slow cancer cell growth.
Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that interacts with the immune system to help combat cancer. It is not chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Common side effects of Paxil include nervousness, sleep problems (either too much or too little), restlessness, exhaustion, dry mouth, nausea, headache, sweating, diarrhea, and sexual problems. These side effects usually disappear within a few weeks of taking the drug.
Immunotherapy is an effective systemic treatment for cancer, like melanoma, as it stimulates the body's cancer-fighting immune system. Drugs that pass across the bloodstream to all areas of the body are known as systemic therapies.
Pembrolizumab is used for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or worsened during or after treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy medications.
Some common side effects of Pembrolizumab include:Joint pain,Back pain,Swelling of the body,Changes in skin color,Extreme tiredness
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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