Pembrolizumab User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Nei...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer metastasized to the brain and given one month to live. Chemo was not an option, and I had radio knife surgery for a brain tumor as it was not operable. I was then put on Keytruda every 6 weeks for 2 years and have been off for over one year. Tumors have shrunk or been stable. I also have COPD/emphysema that has stayed at a mild/moderate stage for the last 5 years. I had very few side effects and exercise daily, walking many miles at a time at a 3-mile-an-hour pace. Most people don't think I am sick, I don't feel sick and am very grateful to be alive. I am 83 years old. I am sorry Keytruda has not worked out for some of you."

• bir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My friend has had 36 treatments and has not had any side effects. Her treatments are every 21 days, she is now cancer-free and plans on staying on the treatment for the rest of her life. Her COPD is still bad, but she is glad to be cancer-free."

• Koa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2020

For Endometrial Cancer "I have now been on Keytruda almost 1 year. Stage 3 uterine cancer diagnosed in 2018, spent 1 year on chemo/radiation. Cancer came back 4 months later, was put on Keytruda. My body is a mess. Great fatigue, rash, intestinal issues, lack of strength, etc. I feel mostly terrible almost every day. I work too, out of circumstance, not because I want to. I don't want to continue on this drug. I feel my quality of life has diminished greatly on this drug. I love my oncologist, but she keeps trying to tell me most of the side effects I have aren't from Keytruda. ALL of the health issues I have are listed as side effects. My doctor wants me on this for 2 years total. There is no way. My body is so out of whack, I just hope it won't stay that way when I'm off Keytruda, which I think is going to be now. For me, I was miserable taking this as I experienced almost every side effect. I hope some of you do better than I did."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2019

For Melanoma, Metastatic "I had a melanoma on my back, six years later on my lung and three months later on my brain, all successfully removed. I have been on Keytruda for 12 months, minimal side effects, scans all clear to date."

• She...
• September 19, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother took 2 doses of Keytruda, then she became unable to walk very soon after and started having extreme confusion. She started writing movie characters on papers hundreds of times a day and cannot remember anything. She barely is in reality at all. At the moment, she is in the hospital waiting to go to a geriatric psych facility because she is not safe to be left alone. My mother was totally sane and doing well before 2 doses of Keytruda!!! She has literally gone crazy. Doctors do not want to hear it, and I'm frustrated. It is so sad to watch this drug we thought was to help her and destroyed her. I'm mad as anything. The doctors do not tell you about the horrible adverse effects it can have."

• Lar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I was given Keytruda along with a chemo cocktail and had no problems. Now, I’ve been taking Keytruda alone for 10 months with no side effects except for fatigue. My lungs are 99% clear of cancer cells, and the cancer hasn’t spread to other areas."

• Mel...
• December 13, 2016

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Have Stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Started on Keytruda after new metastasis showed up. After the 2nd infusion, side effects started to become very painful - lots of muscle and joint pain, couldn't move my arms hardly. Also have a lot of nerve issues in my arms and hands. When I went for my 3rd infusion (they're done every 3 weeks), my oncologist said I needed to stop treatment and start on a steroid to calm down my immune system, which Keytruda revs up into high gear to go after the melanoma. It's been two weeks on Prednisone, and the side effects from the Keytruda are still strong, so I can't resume treatment and still have to stay on the steroid. Bummer, because it actually made the tumor on my leg disappear, which Ipi (Yervoy) didn't."

• Lod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2023

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "I'm in the fifth week of a three-week Keytruda schedule for RCC as an adjuvant. Had surgery in January to excise my left kidney. Was told at the time that there was no more visible cancer and could use Keytruda to make sure the cancer was gone. Sounded good to me. So I started in May. Obviously, I'm at the beginning of a long process, so my comments really only have to do with side effects. I have no prior experience with cancer or chemo- or immunotherapy. No medical background. Other than the cancer, I'm reasonably healthy. The side effects of Keytruda are quite different from those of any other medication I've ever been prescribed or advised to take. They're not consistent even within one patient. They change and revert and change again from more to less to more unpleasant. As of this time (5th week), there's no way to predict what the side effects (if any) will be next week. The side effects I've experienced are unpleasant but not unbearable. I'll continue with the Keytruda."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

For Solid Tumors "DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG! My mother was healthy before taking this drug. The drug caused her to stop walking, damaged her kidneys and liver, and caused fluid in her lungs. Her cancer spread to different areas of her body. Her red blood cells and platelets completely bottomed out in her last month of life and never came back to normal levels. She had severe rashes and pain. This drug shortens your life. This drug killed my mother!"

• sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

For Melanoma "My 79-year-old husband died after 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."

• PAD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Keytruda is a miracle drug! My husband was diagnosed with stage 4, inoperable, NSCLC on 7/6/2020. With a large mass in the central area of his left lung, it had spread throughout the left side of his body: near the thyroid, multiple lymph nodes, abdominal muscles, and thigh muscle. Plus a mass on the right side of his skull. He underwent 4 cycles of chemo and Keytruda every 3 weeks. The first 3 treatments were torture, then he got better. By December 2020, the cancer had cleared, with the exception of one spot on his thyroid. After 12 radiation treatments in Jan 2021, the April PET scan showed the cancer had cleared and every scan since has been clear. He's had Keytruda every 3 weeks, missing a few months with respiratory issues post-COVID when doctors had to be sure his problems weren't from Keytruda. He was okayed to continue and his 55th treatment was on 11/15/23. He is doing amazing! No complications, he is very active and thankful to be alive! We are grateful for the success he has had! Thank You!"

• JD8...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "I had minimal side effects vs. benefits. I was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma with extensive rhabdoid features (extremely rare in adults and very aggressive). I was stage 4 when diagnosed. I had a nephrectomy and then straight Keytruda treatments every 3 weeks. It had metastasized into both lungs and spine prior to treatment. Fatigue was my major side effect. I did have knee and ankle swelling after the first few treatments, but nothing serious."

• Sid...
• October 18, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Diagnosed with extensive Stage IV NSCLC with numerous mets to the liver and adrenal glands. After four infusions with Keytruda, all liver mets are gone and adrenal mets greatly reduced in size. Used as first-line treatment. Very grateful. No major side effects. Feeling run down with low appetite attributed to the remaining cancer and aftereffects of radiation to hip bone met."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My girlfriend was having non-small cell lung cancer and was getting treatment in Calgary, Canada. She got almost 34 cycles of Keytruda every 3 weeks from Dr. Since she started receiving treatment, she started getting better, but after her 35th cycle, her condition deteriorated and she got the severe side effect of Keytruda called immune-mediated pneumonitis. After 5 days, which was on October 8th, 2019, at 7:30 pm, she passed in the hospital. This medicine is good, but I can't say that this will help you survive longer. It's better that researchers should do something about it to protect the patient from its fatal side effect or make an antidote for this medicine."

• Sha...
• July 29, 2019

For Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in May. He did not want chemo or radiation, so his doctor suggested Keytruda. After the first week, he became weak, had a rash on his back, experienced muscle soreness, and had swollen feet. At the next doctor visit three weeks later, he told the doctor about the side effects, but the doctor didn't think it was the Keytruda, but an injection he had also received to build up his bone marrow. The doctor convinced him to continue with Keytruda. After that infusion, he had severe muscle soreness. He couldn't walk, had no appetite, and was completely bedridden. We decided then that was the last dose of Keytruda he would have. It has now been approximately six weeks post-treatment, and the Keytruda is out of his system. He is starting to feel good again, back to golfing and having some quality of life. I know now if he had continued the Keytruda, I felt that he would have died after the third infusion. He will now be with me a few more months or years with some quality of life and dignity."

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "To all of you who are taking care of your loved ones! I am a nurse who took care of my father with stage 4 lung cancer! He took this drug, and this drug made his life much shorter than even not getting treatment. Shame on these pharmaceutical companies who make money at any cost. This drug can cause serious heart issues, and your patient will die due to cardiac arrest rather than actual cancer. The drug DOES NOT work at all. Shame on these companies who fool patients with these ads on TV. This drug MUST be taken off the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I believe my father died because of Keytruda. Prior to treatment, he was asymptomatic and active. No cough and never has been on oxygen. After the first treatment, he was never the same. He was gone in less than 3 months and spent his final 2 months of life in the ICU on a ventilator. Keytruda-induced Guillain-Barré was his diagnosis. Your doctor will minimize the side effects of this drug, and no one is being held accountable. Do your research before proceeding or allowing your loved one to use this drug. You don't get a second chance."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2024

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "In 2021, I had a very large RCC tumor and my left kidney removed. One month later, a CT scan showed that the RCC had spread to my lungs and liver. I had Stage 4, Grade 4 RCC. There were an estimated 10 to 12 lesions on both my lungs and liver. Two tumors were established in my liver. I was started on Keytruda every 3 weeks and daily oral Inlyta. I experienced a Keytruda rash across my entire back after just a few weeks. After about 2 months, I experienced autoimmune hepatitis and had to stop Keytruda, missing about 2 or 3 doses. A CT scan at 3 months showed that all lesions were gone, one tumor reduced over 60%, and the second tumor reduced over 80%. By the next 3-month CT scan, no evidence of cancer was seen. I continued Keytruda for 2 years, taking prednisone to prevent the autoimmune hepatitis. I have now been 3 years cancer-free. A true miracle. Definitely consider Keytruda if it might help your cancer."

• adg...
• February 25, 2017

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Excellent drug that saved my husband's life from melanoma. The worst side effect was the increased liver enzymes and brain swelling, eventually, he had to stop the drug. Still going strong today! Great drug with tolerable side effects. Thank you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother took her first dose of this drug at the end of April. She only took the one dose because only days later she became severely ill, slowly started not being able to walk, lost her speech, and became delusional. Doctors said the cancer had moved to the brain and rapidly progressed. She was put in hospice in June and passed away in July. Not saying this drug is what took my mom, but I know it did her no good!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2018

For Cervical Cancer "So far, I've been on this medication for a month and a half, and I have noticed a decline in my strength, and I have severe weakness, and I can no longer walk. Before I was taking this drug, I was able to get around with a walker, and I had more strength. I believe this medication makes you weaker, which I don't understand because if it boosts your immune system, you would think that it would make you stronger and give you more energy. Yet it is doing the complete opposite, and I am still getting more tumors in my lungs. So I don't think it is doing what it's supposed to do. I might come off of it and give my body a break and go back to some other chemotherapy regimen to shrink the rest of the tumors. Let me know if you have any experience like this with Keytruda for cervical cancer."

• Pic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2020

For Endometrial Cancer "I was diagnosed with fourth stage endometrial cancer in November 2017. Chemotherapy did not work, and the mass tumor continued to grow. My oncologist was able to get Keytruda approval for my tumor, even though it had never been approved for my type of tumor. My Keytruda treatment started in January 2018 and has reduced my tumor by over 50%. I have had no symptoms of any issues with taking Keytruda. It will be three years in February with no side effects whatsoever. My last PET scan two months ago is showing that the tumor is still slightly reducing. I am extremely happy because they didn’t think I would even come close to living this long. I am 83 years old, and I’m doing really well."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother, after her 1st dose, was short of breath, lungs filling, shaky, and needed to be on oxygen. After the 2nd dose, she could barely walk or breathe. She has suffered from a cardiac arrest and needs steroids to keep her lungs from filling. This drug is horrible. My mom was a fully functional, mobile person who is now fighting for her life. The doctor says cancer is gone, but so is she, so what was it all worth."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "On Keytruda, my tumor shrunk or remained stable for 10 months. Now, after 13 months, it is growing slowly. I think Keytruda has kept me alive! However, recent untreated side effects not addressed by my doctors are causing grief. My joints are so inflamed I can barely stand. It’s important to be proactive with your doctors! They’re new to these drugs also!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Using a drug that eats healthy lung tissue on a lung cancer patient? How is this considered a miracle of modern medicine? It’s criminal. He would’ve lived longer if he was never treated at all. Stay away, the odds are not in your favor."