Medications for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Other names: cutaneous APUDoma; primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin; trabecular carcinoma of the skin

Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that may grow quickly and metastasize at an early stage. A large proportion of cases are caused by Merkel Cell Polyomavirus. Merkel Cell Carcinoma develops most frequently on sun exposed areas of the body in older people and people who are immunocompromised.

Drugs used to treat Merkel Cell Carcinoma

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name	Rating	Reviews	Rx/OTC	Pregnancy	CSA
Keytruda	10	1 review for Keytruda to treat Merkel Cell Carcinoma	Rx	D	N
Generic name: pembrolizumab systemic Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Bavencio	Rate	Add review	Rx		N
Generic name: avelumab systemic Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

pembrolizumab	10	1 review for pembrolizumab to treat Merkel Cell Carcinoma	Rx	D	N
Generic name: pembrolizumab systemic Brand name: Keytruda Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

avelumab	Rate	Add review	Rx		N
Generic name: avelumab systemic Brand name: Bavencio Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

retifanlimab	Rate	Add review	Rx		N
Generic name: retifanlimab systemic Brand name: Zynyz Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Zynyz	Rate	Add review	Rx		N
Generic name: retifanlimab systemic Drug class: anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Mayo Clinic reference

Merkel cell carcinoma

Legend

Rating	For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity	Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx	Prescription only.
OTC	Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC	Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label	This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA	An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access	Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.

Pregnancy Category
A	Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B	Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C	Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D	There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X	Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N	FDA has not classified the drug.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M	The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U	CSA Schedule is unknown.
N	Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1	Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2	Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3	Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.

Alcohol
X	Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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