Pembrolizumab for Melanoma User Reviews
Brand names: Keytruda
Pembrolizumab has an average rating of 3.9 out of 10 from a total of 15 reviews for the treatment of Melanoma. 33% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 67% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Pembrolizumab
- shorty
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 3, 2018
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My 79 year old husband died having 2 treatments of Keytruda. He declined over 1 month it was horrible. I am so upset and was told immunotherapy killed him. His oncologist said the toxic side effects took his life. I believe it is responsible for his death"
- Jordan
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 9, 2017
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "This drug gave me all kind of side effects that made it impossible to continue taking the drug. I wish I never would have started it. I would not recommend this drug to anyone and would encourage them to find an alternate holistic option."
Frequently asked questions
- Pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: How do they compare?
- How are Inlyta and Keytruda used in kidney cancer?
- What type of cancer is pembrolizumab used for?
- How does pembrolizumab affect the immune system?
- Sunfl...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- October 30, 2020
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I started keytruda Feb 2020 for stage 3 aggressive melanoma. Almost immediately my moods were awful. Swinging like a kid hitting puberty. The doc said it wasn't a side effect. This continued. The fatigue increased. I felt miserable. By late August I couldn't get off the couch without moaning in pain and couldn't even get into bed. No appetite. Nausea. No energy. I knew I was dehydrated. Declined my next treatment and got fluids. Went to next appointment to tell Doc I was quitting. Finally they did labs. My cortisol was > .1 Another lab test result had ridiculously low levels as well. I should've been in the hospital. Now I'm on steroids, was waiting to see an endocrinologist and hoping there's no permanent damage. Keytruda almost finished me off"
- Red
- August 5, 2021
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My husband had successful surgery to remove melanoma from his back together with three lymph nodes in December 2019. His oncologist recommended he do Keytruda immumotherapy as a precaution to ensure no additional cells were hiding in his body. He was not in favor of this but both his oncologist and myself encouraged him to proceed with the immunotherapy. After two or three treatments he started having reactions to the drug and was put on steroids to counteract the reaction. After seven treatments the immunotherapy was discontinued and health continued a downward spiral with numerous other reactions and in an out of the hospital due to the reactions. On September 25th, 2020 my husband passed away from pembrolizumab toxicity. We had received two sheets of paper advising of adverse reactions to this drug but nowhere did it warn against death, had it disclosed that it could cause death I certainly would not have recommended that my husband be injected with this deadly drug."
Are you taking this medicine?
- HBN
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 11, 2022
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My grandmother was diagnosed with Nodular melanoma (without metastasis). Her oncologist suggested to try KEYTRUDA. She died after 2 doses! Before starting immunotherapy, she was fine and very active. Side effects: weakness, muscle pain, weight loss, fatigue, dropping eyelids, dysphagia, breathing difficulty, severe diarrhea. I would not recommend this drug based on our experience!!!"
- Pharma...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 4, 2023
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My mother was diagnosed with a small area of skin cancer, despite feeling well. She maintained a positive attitude and began taking Keytruda three weeks ago. However, she was later admitted to the hospital due to difficulty holding up her head and fluctuating oxygen levels. After spending two weeks in the hospital, she was unable to eat and required a feeding tube. Sadly, she passed away last night at 10 PM. After reading reviews, it appears that many people have had negative experiences with Keytruda despite only being on the market for a few years. If you or someone you know has experienced organ damage as a result of Keytruda, it is important to seek medical attention and take action as needed."
More FAQ
- How does pembrolizumab kill cancer cells?
- How is pembrolizumab (Keytruda) administered?
- Is lenvatinib / pembrolizumab used in endometrial cancer?
- What is a biologic drug?
- Jaideep
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 9, 2022
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My father has melanoma and we had given first dose of Keytruda 10 days ago, After that they shifted to hospital, can't able to walk, liver become unhealthy, and from 2 days on oxygen support....... I don't recommend this"
- Edna
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- August 25, 2021
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I had stage IV Melanoma went on Keytruda for over two years as it kept shrinking. It worked really well compared to the drugs that I have had since. I had no bad side effects, and I would say it was a great drug and wish I could go back on it! I had to go for treatment every three weeks, it was for only 30 minutes. Great drug. No itching nor rash as well."
- Kathl...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 13, 2021
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My husband was diagnosed with Melanoma April 2019, under his thumb nail. This was a problem area, that had never been diagnosed as melanoma, but recurring dark areas that were removed 3 times. Pet Scan didn't show any spread. Keytruda treatment in July, after qualifying for program, was very ill. Sep, pet scan showed cancer in many areas including tumors on spine and fracture of spine. Had radiation for pain, another cancer treatment of keytruda and opdivo, was dead October."
- Charles
- September 11, 2021
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My wife has been on Keytruda for over three years now. Had she not started the treatment she would no longer be here with me. We just celebrated our 49th anniversary! I would say this is a miracle drug.. Thank God for Keytruda!!!"
- smca
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 18, 2021
"2 brain mets, 1 in lung, one in brain resected, stereotactic radiation...2 years on keytruda, side effects, just tired. It got rid of lung met, no new ones. After two years of keytruda, after dose felt like my head would explode and craniotomy reveal radiation necrosis, did steroids, hyperbaric chamber and Avastin...still no good , I think keytruda causes inflammation even once stopped....neutral deficits now...but got 2 extra years."
- Buzzy
- January 28, 2021
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Keytruda spends enough money on advertising that could reduce the price to a level that you could afford it."
- bob
- Taken for 10 years or more
- March 12, 2024
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Took a series of treatments in 2015, still alive and doing well."
- Acral...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 20, 2024
"Fatigue mainly, but controlled with midday nap. AF problem, 1st occurrence today also with some lessening of urinating."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
More about pembrolizumab
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- During pregnancy
- Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)
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- En español
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My father got his first dose of Keytruda 3 weeks ago and he has been in ICU ever since. It started with a mole!! He was fine otherwise. Now he can not breathe, it’s damaged his lungs and ALL of his muscles! At this moment he has a feeding tube and they just gave him a tracheotomy to help his lungs. He can’t talk or even hold his head up! This is just awful! Plz don’t use this drug! I would rate it a zero"