Pembrolizumab for Melanoma, Metastatic User Reviews

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2017

Pembrolizumab "I have been on Keytruda since January 2017 and have completed my first 12 weeks of treatment. The main side effect has been fatigue. After 12 weeks, I had a PET scan, and the results came back that the melanoma has been stopped from spreading. My melanoma had been very aggressive, it was making new tumors within 10 days, so this treatment has been positive, as nothing new has come up in three months. We will see what the next three months bring."

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

Pembrolizumab "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."

• Mel...
• December 13, 2016

Pembrolizumab "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."

• adg...
• February 25, 2017

Pembrolizumab "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."

• mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2017

Pembrolizumab "I received Keytruda for about 20 months for metastatic melanoma. After the first infusion, we noticed that the visible spots on my back had gotten lighter in color and softer. After over a year of scans that revealed that Keytruda was working for me, a lymph node in my chest began growing. A PET scan revealed that the spots on my back had been killed by the medication, and it had also destroyed a number of small nodules in one lung. But the lymph nodes in my chest were positive. My oncologist believes that my cancer has mutated, and Keytruda stopped working. Side effects were mild. Some mild fatigue, and at the beginning, a very fine itchy rash that was not annoying at all. I just wish it had worked for me a little longer."

• Sch...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2021

Pembrolizumab "Had stage 4 melanoma that presented in my scapular bone in June 2016. Operation to remove meant I lost some movement in my right arm. Six months later, it spread to the right femur bone and C3 in the neck. Started Keytruda in December 2016. Scan in March 2017 showed no evidence of any cancer. Four years later, living a normal life. Side effects minimal for the whole two years I was on treatment. Immune system kicked back into gear and did the job. Amazing drug as it doesn’t poison you like chemo. Highly recommend."

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

Pembrolizumab "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."

• Goo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2019

Pembrolizumab "Feb 2019, I have metastatic melanoma wrapped around 2 nerves at the top of my spine. Inoperable. With the pain in my neck and shoulder blade, I thought it was caused by the doctor pulling me around after open-heart surgery in August 2018. Lucky I have a great GP who sent me to a neurosurgeon after scans. Started on immunotherapy in May. Have had my 11th Keytruda treatment. Side effects have been different each time. Thyroid is under control with medication now. Have been through droopy eyelids, husky voice, runny nose, aching bones, itchy skin, etc., all of which have cleared up in time then come back occasionally except itchy skin. Both my PET scans tell me I’m in remission. I just feel very lucky I am able to have this Keytruda treatment for however long it takes. Hoping it will prolong my life. Only problem I’m having is the damage it has done to a bone in my spine which is very painful, and medication helps."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 17, 2020

Pembrolizumab "On Keytruda 15 months after the operation to remove Stage 4 melanoma near the duodenum with three other tumors identified in a subsequent PET scan. Later advised by my GP that I had about 6-12 months had treatment been unsuccessful. The tumors had disappeared within 12 months, and the last two PET scans were clear and showed complete response. Staying on treatment as specialist advised cancer had a 50/50 chance of returning. Only major side effect was adrenal gland knocked out, so I take a daily tablet to correct that problem. A wonder drug as far as I'm concerned."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2020

Pembrolizumab "Quality of life vs. quantity. My mom took Keytruda for 2 years, lots of minor side effects. 2 weeks after treatments ended, she was hospitalized with pancreatitis, and 4 days later had a major stroke due to a-fib. 3 weeks later, sudden onset diabetes at 86 years old! If we had known this drug would have caused her immune system to turn on her own organs in these ways, we would have taken our chances without it. She is now existing, not living, with caretakers 24/7. And melanoma continues its spread, the latest find is in the skull. So basically, Keytruda did zero but cause her a horrible existence. Would NOT recommend!!"

• pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2020

Pembrolizumab "Stage 3C melanoma, tumor was removed with lymph nodes and put on Keytruda. After each treatment, I've had side effects: diarrhea. After the 2nd treatment, the lymph nodes in my lungs were enlarged and made it very difficult to breathe. I should have gone to the hospital, along with the dizziness, confusion, loss of memory. My thyroid got way out of whack. I have been put on steroids, and the Keytruda has been put on hold. So far, it has been VERY difficult. This shows that the side effects are different for each person."

• phi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2022

Pembrolizumab "Inoperable metastatic melanoma in my heart, as well as several locations in my abdomen. Sudden cardiac death and several v-fibs later, I started Keytruda. Response was immediate, with no side effects. Keytruda saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2022

Pembrolizumab "Keytruda definitely sped up my mom to the end of her life. My mom was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in July of 2019. She had her first treatment of Keytruda on Aug 15, 2019. Almost immediately after the first treatment, she became very ill, couldn’t eat, couldn’t walk, barely had enough energy to talk, all to be expected. She also stopped producing red blood cells and spent the last month of her life in the hospital having blood transfusions every other day, and very quickly all her organs failed. Every single side effect they mention, she had, every single one! She passed a month after she started Keytruda."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2020

Pembrolizumab "I've had melanoma cancer four times. This time stage 4 melanoma is in the liver. I've used Keytruda twice, once in 2015 and now in 2020. In 2015 I had to quit after eight treatments due to kidney damage and lots of gland problems. In February of this year, melanoma spread to the liver. I was told I had six months to live without treatment. I went back on Keytruda and have had some side effects, but nothing like the first time, and I'm pretty sure it's because of prednisone. I'm going in for my tenth treatment this week. I had two tumors, with one shrinking in size and intensity. The other hasn't changed."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2024

Pembrolizumab "To me, it’s been a wonder drug. My 3 monthly scans have been clear. I have 200 ml every 3 weeks, which is no problem. I have been very lucky with minimal side effects, the worst being a skin rash and bad itch."

• Roc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2022

Pembrolizumab "Be careful what the doctors and PAs don’t tell you, even when you ask. A close friend's wife took Keytruda. He tried to warn me that the danger zone for this drug is between the 6th and 9th treatment. I could not imagine it could be as bad as he told me, and I was wrong! Six days after my 6th infusion, the diarrhea started. It was like nothing I have had before. I won’t even attempt to describe it. It is now 2 weeks and 3 days, and the clinic is more concerned about the infusion money that they will no longer get, as I have quit this drug! Your quality of life sinks to a new low on this drug. I encourage the doctors and PAs to be honest with patients. Do not tell patients that different people react to drugs differently. That is a cop-out! This is a bad drug with serious side effects!"

• Vag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2023

Pembrolizumab "Been on Keytruda for about 8 months. Recently developed a persistent cough and subsequent sore throat. But it has taken care of the initial cancer - vaginal melanoma and a metastatic over the adrenal gland (in conjunction with radiation)."

• pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2023

"My husband had a melanoma removed and radiation, then, 18 months later, it recurred. He was sold on the fact that he needed Keytruda to survive longer than 12 months. A few days later, without the opportunity to consider or discuss with his doctor, he had his first and only infusion and died 21 days later. His death certificate cites myasthenia gravis, myositis, and myocarditis as causes of death. He started showing side effects 7 days after infusion, fatigue was the main one. Then muscle weakness, and he fell and was taken to emergency. His condition deteriorated within days and was admitted to the cardiac ward, where his condition changed for the worst each day. He was then transferred to ICU, where he was paralyzed, and his oxygen levels plummeted. Even after the reversal protocol that was given 5 days earlier, it could not save him. We are beyond belief how you can be told that the worst side effect would be fatigue and possibly itchy skin and even less possible you could suffer thyroid issues."

• mem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2022

Pembrolizumab "For low risk... thumbs down! Microscopic lymph node melanoma leg post-surgery... PET scan negative prior and 14 months later. Side effects terrible: unmanageable diarrhea, joint pain, tight feeling bands (right forearm and upper arm), numbness whole right side of body, vision changes (cloudy), multiple skin splitting both hands and feet, fingernail splitting, toenail necrosis, thick palmar skin overgrowth, 45 lb weight loss, hair thinning, lower extremity edema, bladder retention... that's all for now!"

• Tal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2021

"Had stage 4 melanoma diagnosed more than 3 years ago. The scan showed 7 tumors in different parts of my body, including lungs, kidney, and gall bladder, with the largest measuring 7 cm. After 2 years of treatment with pembrolizumab, all have gone. My side effects were minimal, with the odd rash being the biggest problem."

• Suz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 16, 2024

"I have been on this medication for over 8 years. It has given me an opportunity to extend my expected lifespan and engage in daily activities with no adverse reactions given my diagnosis. I attend 6 weekly infusions at a private clinic and am now able to relax while the treatment occurs, although at first I was anxious. It has given me life and hope when initially, after my diagnosis, I felt none."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2020

Pembrolizumab "My dad had cancer and was told to try Keytruda. He passed away 1 week after treatment, and he was fine the week before. This drug is bad."

• Rav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

Pembrolizumab "My mother died on Keytruda."

• DJD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2024

Pembrolizumab "I have had 5 treatments so far. Side effects are minimal, mostly fatigue some days. I don't know how it is working yet to reduce the cancer but will be having a scan in a few weeks to determine that."