Pembrolizumab User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Pud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2021

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My husband started Keytruda in June 2021. The first treatment landed him in ICU with severe adrenal insufficiency. 'They' said it was caused by a reduction in Prednisone, not the Keytruda. I knew better. I've been with him to all appointments and treatments since his cancer was diagnosed in 2014. When he had a biopsy and it was decided he was a candidate for Keytruda, the oncologist was elated. Prior to starting Keytruda, my husband was walking, talking, driving, and living a normal life despite cancer. Keytruda was hailed as a miracle drug because my husband had a rare genetic mutation that qualified him for Keytruda. He had four doses total, and each one made him so sick we were at the oncology office three times a week for fluids and whatever else they put in the saline bag. He started Keytruda in June 2021, and currently, he is lying in our living room dying under hospice care. The doctor dropped my husband and offered no explanation. I am heartbroken."

• Fer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I have had numerous treatments over the past 18 months. Now, these didn't improve my general health, but that wasn't very bad at any time. I have now had 4 treatments of Keytruda and find that my general health has improved. My energy levels have certainly risen, certainly not as much tiredness as before, like I can walk 3 miles most days without any bother. Previous to starting this treatment, I had great discomfort with fluid on my lung, this discomfort has now gone. I never had any side effects from getting Keytruda, me living a very normal life, long may it continue!"

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2020

For Melanoma, Metastatic "I have stage 4 melanoma and have just finished two years of Keytruda following a metastasis to my bowel. Thankfully, living in the UK, our NHS covered the cost of it. During this time, I had no side effects other than fatigue, which I managed at home. Recent scans have been clear, so for me, I am more than happy with this drug."

• cab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father-in-law took his first dose of Keytruda, and after a few days, he felt strong pain all over his body. His heart was beating out of control. After we took him to the emergency room and after all scans and tests, the doctor confirmed that it was a side effect of the Keytruda. After one day in the hospital, his heart was already so damaged that after less than a day, he passed away. This drug took his life. This drug needs to be taken out of use and reevaluated."

• Art...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2018

For Head and Neck Cancer "I've been on Keytruda for eleven months now. So far, the growth has slowed to where we can call it 'arrested.' At least it has bought me another year of life. The side effects are manageable, for me at least, so I guess I'm one of the 'lucky' (I don't feel lucky having cancer to begin with) ones from reading the other reviews."

• Dee...
• May 10, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom was supposed to have three infusions. After the first, she became ill with several side effects. She was so brave and went for her second one, two days later she was in the ER with a collapsed lung. Her health declined so rapidly, and she passed away one month later. I honestly feel it was the Keytruda, she would have lived longer without it. Please stay away from this drug."

• Duz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad took this drug because they said his chances were good to prolong life. They said his body tested strong. He took one treatment and was joking around that day. He had almost every side effect within 5-7 days. We lost him within 2 months after this. He was so weak and frail. I don’t recommend it. I regret ever going this route."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband, age 66, with lung epithelioid sarcoma stage 4. Rare form and aggressive. Keytruda caused hypothyroidism, weakness, aches and swelling in arms and legs, tingling and numbness in feet, severe mood changes. Yes, this Keytruda has helped him fight this cancer but at a cost to quality of life. It is wonderful to have him here with us after 20 months of battling this cancer, but it saddens me to see he cannot fully enjoy life. Keytruda also caused his eyes to blur and therefore he cannot read books, which he has always loved to do! At what cost shall we suffer just to stay alive? Not to discourage others from taking this drug, everyone reacts differently to drugs, and many can continue to support their families. But in my husband's case, he has the side effects listed on the website."

• Con...
• April 12, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband has stage 4 NSCLC diagnosed in 2016. On March 31, 2018, he was diagnosed with a 5 cm tumor on his right frontal lobe of his brain, which was surgically removed. Dr. started my husband on Keytruda in May of 2018. All was going well until Nov 29, 2018, a brain scan showed 5 tumors on the dura lining around his brain, which is inoperable. He had radiation, which did get rid of the tumors for now. Dr. kept him on Keytruda. 6 weeks ago, after his Keytruda treatment, my husband got very weak, short of breath, and stayed in bed 95% of the time as he was so exhausted from doing nothing. 3 weeks later, he had another treatment of Keytruda and the same thing again: weakness, in bed all the time, and short of breath. Today, he was feeling much better but had to have his Keytruda again today. I will monitor him to see if this treatment kicks him down again. Does anyone have any advice? His oncologist states that Keytruda is the only thing keeping him alive right now."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2022

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "My husband had lung cancer, for which he had radiation. Within 3 months, it metastasized to his kidney and spine, stage 4. He was in terrible pain, so they did 15 treatments of palliative radiation. After this, the oncologist encouraged him to try the Keytruda infusions. As soon as the infusion started, he said he knew it was a mistake. Upon completion of the treatment, he came out of the building disoriented. Two days later, he was in the ER with low calcium, low magnesium, kidneys failing, and dehydration. By Friday, he was under hospice care. It has been 2 weeks since the infusion, and he continues to spiral downward. Please, I beg you, don’t use this treatment. It is lethal."

• dru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2020

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My brother, who was a healthy 70-year-old, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. After 6 chemotherapy treatments, which were somewhat beneficial, he was given one dose of Keytruda. Although his doctor told him, 'most of his patients don't have any side effects and if (he) did, it would be in 5-6 weeks.' Within two weeks, my brother ended up back in the hospital and passed away 5 days later. His records are clear in stating that the Keytruda caused multi-organ failure. He died 5 days later. Keytruda is a very bad drug and should not be available for use."

• Tes...
• November 17, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father had Keytruda, and now he is dead. Stay away from this form of treatment! It does not lengthen your life, it shortens it. It also stops all the good in your immunity. Please stay away from this drug!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband has stage 4 metastasized lung, kidney, and brain cancer. He started Keytruda in late May 2021. 3 1/2 months later he is in bad shape. Terrible shoulder pain. Confused. Tired. No appetite. Four hospital stays. Can't eat solid food. Lost 12 lbs in 5 days! Heart attack. Keytruda is so bad for my loving husband. Please research this deadly drug before you or a loved one is given an infusion. My husband is slipping away from me and his family."

• Key...
• June 18, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I believe Keytruda killed my dad. After the second dose, he quit eating. He was getting sick, no energy. Doctors just kept saying it wasn't that and pushing the drug. He had a tumor that appeared and rapidly grew. Also, his best friend was on this for the same, and he is now really, really sick. This is a horrible, horrible drug and should be taken off the market."

• bkc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2022

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Stage 1 lung cancer, surgically removed 3 years ago. No chemo or radiation. Clean lung scans for 3 years. No cancer in the lungs now. However, diagnosed with lung cancer brain mets. Whole brain radiation and Keytruda treatments. Prior to Keytruda treatments, the patient had NO need for supplemental oxygen. ZERO need for supplemental oxygen. Within 4 weeks and after only 2 Keytruda treatments, severe lung damage occurred. As with other reports here, high levels of oxygen are now required, and there is a continual severe drop in oxygen with any movement whatsoever. Sitting up in bed, shifting body to the side, reaching for something, causes severe drops in oxygen levels. Whether the lungs can be repaired or not is yet to be seen. I'm sharing this information with you and hope you will think long and hard before rolling the dice on this drug. The damage done is ironically somewhat more devastating than the cancer tumors in the brain. Think long and hard."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad started Keytruda in March 2021. He had lung cancer. This was pretty much the only option he was given. He died very suddenly 3 months later. One day, he started having horrible abdominal pain. Took him to the ER, where he was admitted to the ICU. He had one kidney completely fail and 3 aneurysms. I feel had he not started Keytruda, he would still be with us."

• Lor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2024

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that spread to my brain, chest, and abdomen in 2020. I underwent radiation and CyberKnife. Then I was put on Keytruda - one treatment every 3 weeks. I've had no side effects and never missed a day of work. I continue to work at Home Depot in receiving, unloading, and breaking down trucks! I just celebrated my 60th birthday. I'm still working, gardening, and enjoying my grandchildren. I continue to do my treatment every 3 weeks. Thank you to my wonderful doctors and nurses and of course, Keytruda, at the Lowell Cancer Center."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2023

For Head and Neck Cancer "My wife suffered from head/neck cancer. She was strong and had been through multiple lines of treatment for 6 years. After the third Keytruda cycle treatment, everything began to go downhill. She didn't sleep or eat well at all and lost 27 lbs. Her liver and kidneys started shutting down, and she died within 2 weeks after suffering from tumor lysis syndrome. No, I cannot recommend this drug. You will just be another lab experiment."

• ege...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother-in-law completed chemo and radiation for stage 4 lung cancer. Radiation helped a lot with brain and bone tumors. She did one treatment of Keytruda, her lungs became inflamed, and she died 10 days later. I believe immunotherapy is the future for cancer treatment after traditional options are used, Keytruda is NOT it."

• Arc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2025

For Squamous Cell Carcinoma "After 3 months, my squamous cell carcinoma completely disappeared. Monitoring PET scans have not shown any cancer recurrence for the past 6 months. I am beginning to experience joint pain, tiredness, and a general feeling of malaise. I intend to discontinue use in another month if the next PET scan is still cancer-free."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2019

For Solid Tumors "My wife was given this drug as an option to help with her breast cancer, a week later, she passed into Heaven. We were both excited and hopeful for an immunotherapy drug like this, which did nothing to save my beautiful wife!"

• Red...
• August 5, 2021

For Melanoma "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 immunotherapy 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 I 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 and 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."

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

For Head and Neck Cancer "Four injections so far on Keytruda as a first-line HNSCC treatment. No side effects. Approximately 70% reduction already in my left side face swelling, which is due to swollen lymph nodes that have been swollen for years. Three-month MRI due October 8, 2018, so too early to say anything about tumor response. Diagnosed six years ago but did no treatment until Keytruda as I did not want to do radiation in the oral cavity and was offered nothing else. I have found many sources indicating the patient must have an undamaged microbiome for the treatment to work effectively. Patients on previous platinum-based chemotherapies will have a weak microbiome. Action should be taken to restore the microbiome prior to starting immunotherapy."

• JLC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2024

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My wife has been doing the Keytruda treatment for close to a year now with no serious side effects. It has helped greatly to where chemo can now be stopped. I have read good reviews here and some very scary ones! The problem is everyone reacts differently to all medications and if you went by all the side effects listed on medications, you wouldn't even take them. I so wish all success on this terrible illness and strength in your fight against it!"

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2022

"My husband went through 2 different sets of 7-week treatments of radiation for angiosarcoma and never had any side effects to speak of at all. Then a spot came up again on his head, so they put him on Keytruda infusions. He had 2 treatments 6 weeks apart. He got really sick the week before his next one was scheduled, so they postponed it. He slept the whole next 6 weeks, stopped eating, barely drinking, so weak he could barely walk and then stopped being able to move on his own, he was confused, and most days could barely talk. The only side effect we were told he would probably might have was diarrhea, which he was more constipated than anything. After 6 weeks, 7 doctors, 1 ER visit, he died at home. No one was ever able to help him even when we told everyone he was on Keytruda. I have no doubt that medicine killed my husband and now I live with the memories of watching him die, and no one was able to help him. Please don’t take this drug."