Pembrolizumab for Urothelial Carcinoma User Reviews

• Edd...
• May 19, 2018

"My husband died right after the second dose. After the first dose, he suffered very badly for the next three weeks. He told the RN he was in pain, but she sent him for the next dose, and the very next morning he had severe pain all over, especially in his back. I read every comment here before my husband started Keytruda, but I wish I could understand this medication better. Now I know what this medication did to my husband. He lost his voice and couldn't sit, walk, talk, and he was just crying and asking what was going on? Why is this happening to me? Your loved ones could die worse than a death by cancer from cancer."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• DWs...
• January 13, 2021

"My husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer 6/20. Tests showed his cancer was Stage 4 with lung mets. He started with a GC combination chemo, but almost halfway through treatment, it was not working. His lung mets had gotten larger. Now he had bone mets on his left hip and pelvis. He was put on Keytruda at the end of 09/20. For the first 7-8 weeks, he improved to 95% full functioning. After the 2nd Keytruda treatment, he began to fail gradually, where he is now at 10% functioning. His 3-month CT scan showed his tumors in his lungs and hip/pelvis were larger, and he now had liver mets. While waiting the standard 3 months to see if Keytruda was working, his condition continued to deteriorate. The appearance of pseudo-remission initially led to false hope and the devastating experience upon the deterioration in his condition. I suppose the only other alternative would have been to not have treatment at all during these past 7 months."

• kmh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2021

"My father was diagnosed in August 2020 with urothelial cancer. Had left nephrectomy and ureterectomy in September 2020. Wasn't a candidate for traditional chemotherapy due to age and other health issues. Started Keytruda on February 24th. The 2nd treatment was on March 24th. On April 9th, we were in the emergency room with him having large blood clots in his leg. By May 5th, he is worse, not walking, low blood pressure, and severe pain. He was put in hospice and is now gone on May 20th. I will regret forever talking him into trying it."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2021

"My husband started Keytruda for recurrent bladder cancer stage 4 in January '21. Oncologist said probably won't see side effects for weeks - not so. Next day he started with terrible arthritic pain, dizziness, fatigue, stiff neck, nauseated, unsteadiness in walking. This persisted, and then they gave him steroids. The steroids helped a little, but not much. Took treatment until May '21 and had 'numerous blood clots' in his lungs. 3 days in ICU with infusion to break up the blood clots caused from this horrible drug. Now on heavy blood thinners, has had diarrhea for 8 weeks and oncologist has sent us to a gastrologist. He's also suffering from severe neck issues as his neck droops - another side effect of this terrible drug. He's worse now than when he went through chemotherapy and they removed his bladder. This has been a horrible drug from the get-go - DO NOT USE IT!! PLEASE! It's not worth it..."

• Wid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2021

"After chemotherapy, my husband went into partial remission. When he came out, immunotherapy was prescribed, and he had his first Keytruda infusion on 12 March with no noticeable side effects. The second Keytruda in April resulted in dramatic effects: hospitalization, respirator, myasthenia gravis, cardiomyopathy, and death on 8 May. Keytruda is listed on his death certificate as a contributing factor, with cancer as first."

• 12-...
• January 27, 2023

"At 71, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020. They did a TUR operation. They found metastases in the lungs, and - again the tumor in the urinary tract grew, but this time even more than it was. Next up was Keytruda. Every 3-6 weeks, I had infusions of this drug. The 2023 examination showed that there is no tumor in the bladder and there are no metastases in the lungs. BUT metastases of a large tumor in the small pelvis. I do not know whether to recommend the drug or not? Probably yes ... because many oncologists gave him a maximum of 6 months of life, and he lived under Keytruda for 2 years already."

• JDS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2024

"My maculopapular skin rash and itching symptoms increased to the point of being quite bothersome when the dose was increased from 200 mg q.3 weeks to 400 mg q.6 weeks. I am using 10 mg of Aller-Tec bid to control my itching and either 1% or 2.5% cortisone ointment for my rash. My hoarseness and dry cough increased as well. My paresthesia of my fingers is constant on both doses. I nap every afternoon for 1.5 hrs because of fatigue. I take Colace bid for bowel regularity. My upcoming MRI will shed some light as to how long Keytruda will be continued."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2020

"This drug, Keytruda, did absolutely nothing for my mom's cancer. In fact, I think she would have been better off without this treatment at all. Do not use Keytruda, it's worthless."