Pembrolizumab and Rash: What Users Say

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

Pembrolizumab 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."

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

Pembrolizumab 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!"

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

Pembrolizumab for Melanoma, Metastatic "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."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2024

Pembrolizumab for Bladder Cancer "Diagnosed last July with stage 4 metastatic bladder cancer (to liver and lymph nodes). Started with Keytruda and Padcev three-week rounds for 8 weeks, then Keytruda only at first every three weeks and now every six weeks. I was in extreme pain and not able to eat before I started treatments, after just two treatments, the pain was gone and I had begun eating again. I had some hair loss and rashes while on Padcev, but have not had any side effects since being only on Keytruda. I now go to treatments every six weeks and hope to enjoy many more pain-free and healthy days in this world thanks to these two drugs. I just wish Keytruda was less expensive or I could take it at home."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

Pembrolizumab for Renal Cell Carcinoma "Going for my third infusion in a few weeks and a cystoscopy. I get the infusion every six weeks. So far, just minor complaints, weight gain, rash that comes and goes, cough, some diarrhea, muscle pain sometimes, and face a little puffy. Bloodwork has been good so far. Had a TIA a month ago, but the oncologist said it wasn't the Keytruda. I'm going to my primary care this week to see what's going on. Not sure how to rate Keytruda yet, so I'll give it a 5."

• Edn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2021

Pembrolizumab for Melanoma "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."

• Sha...
• October 3, 2022

Pembrolizumab for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Stage 4. I went for my first dose, got the IV, but my sodium was 120. They sent me to the ER with the IV. 4 days and now, 4 sodium pills later, it’s almost normal. First dose after, I had to stop because of diarrhea. 5 months later, a CT scan showed much regression in the tumors. Started again, been getting it every two weeks. 4 treatments ago, I broke out in hives. Next dose, no reaction, next dose landed me in the ER with anaphylactic shock. Stopped for 4 weeks. Restarting with pre-treatment. No problems. I have horrible fatigue, but I have MS also, and it’s fatiguing. A couple of spots of rough skin around my lips and a few white spots in my mouth. But in for more treatments, it’s been 18 months and still going, slower but better."

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

Pembrolizumab for Melanoma, Metastatic "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."

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

For Melanoma, Metastatic "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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2025

Pembrolizumab for Breast Cancer "I have received 15 infused doses of Keytruda every 21 days as well as chemotherapy since March 2024. My last dose was April 2025. I’ve had fatigue, a rash on my abdomen and back, and a numb tongue and lips for the last 2 months or so. My skin is scaly. I’m cancer-free now."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2025

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My first session with the drug was June of 2024. I'm getting it in 3-week sessions for 2 years. I take 190 mg at a time. I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in my lungs, lymph nodes, and most of my neck, all the way to my skull from the very bottom of my torso. Extremely sore when I first got started for months before I knew I had it. An extreme pain in my back, shoulders, chest. My pain started to subside about month three, and in the last 6 weeks, it's almost disappeared, maybe 90%. My neck is bad, it does cause me concern because of deterioration, but I've been off pain meds as of June 15th, 2025. Some of my symptoms are immune colitis and pneumonitis, which is immune pneumonia. I just picked that up in the last 2 months along with the colitis, which came on about month six. I am fatigued when I first started my treatment, but it is getting less and less with every treatment. My sleep is off and on. Skin rashes, but very light, very itchy skin underneath my skin in the legs, inner thighs, and arms."