Skip to main content

Keytruda Dosage

Generic name: pembrolizumab 50mg in 2mL
Dosage form: injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
Drug class: Anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 11, 2024.

Patient Selection

Information on FDA-approved tests for patient selection is available at:

http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics .

Patient Selection for Single-Agent Treatment

Select patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent based on the presence of positive PD-L1 expression in:

For the MSI-H/dMMR indications, select patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent based on MSI-H/dMMR status in tumor specimens [see Clinical Studies (14.7, 14.8)].

For the TMB-H indication, select patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent based on TMB-H status in tumor specimens [see Clinical Studies (14.17)].

​Because subclonal dMMR mutations and microsatellite instability may arise in high-grade gliomas during temozolomide therapy, it is recommended to test for TMB-H, MSI-H, and dMMR in the primary tumor specimens obtained prior to initiation of temozolomide chemotherapy in patients with high-grade gliomas.

​Additional Patient Selection Information for MSI-H or dMMR in Patients with non-CRC Solid Tumors

​Due to discordance between local tests and FDA-approved tests, confirmation of MSI-H or dMMR status is recommended by an FDA-approved test in patients with MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, if feasible. If unable to perform confirmatory MSI-H/dMMR testing, the presence of TMB ≥10 mut/Mb, as determined by an FDA-approved test, may be used to select patients for treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.7)].

Patient Selection for Combination Therapy

​For use of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy and trastuzumab, select patients based on the presence of positive PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥1) in locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma [see Clinical Studies (14.9)].

For use of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, select patients based on the presence of positive PD-L1 expression in persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.11)].

For the pMMR/not MSI-H advanced endometrial carcinoma indication, select patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib based on MSI or MMR status in tumor specimens [see Clinical Studies (14.16)].

For use of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, select patients based on the presence of positive PD-L1 expression in locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC [see Clinical Studies (14.19)].

Additional Patient Selection Information

  • ​An FDA-approved test for the detection of not MSI-H is currently unavailable for the selection of patients with not MSI-H endometrial carcinoma for treatment with KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib [see Clinical Studies (14.16)].

Recommended Dosage

Table 1: Recommended Dosage
​Indication ​Recommended Dosage of
KEYTRUDA		 ​Duration/Timing of Treatment
*
30-minute intravenous infusion
†
Refer to the Prescribing Information for the agents administered in combination with KEYTRUDA for recommended dosing information, as appropriate.
‡
When axitinib is used in combination with KEYTRUDA, dose escalation of axitinib above the initial 5 mg dose may be considered at intervals of six weeks or longer.
§
Patients who experience disease progression or unacceptable toxicity related to KEYTRUDA with neoadjuvant treatment in combination with chemotherapy should not receive adjuvant single agent KEYTRUDA.
Monotherapy
Adult patients with unresectable or
metastatic melanoma		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*		 Until disease progression or
unacceptable toxicity
Adjuvant treatment of adult patients
with melanoma, NSCLC, or RCC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*		 Until disease recurrence, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 12 months
Adult patients with NSCLC, HNSCC,
cHL, PMBCL, locally advanced or
metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma, MSI-H
or dMMR Cancer, MSI-H or dMMR
CRC, MSI-H or dMMR Endometrial
Carcinoma, Esophageal Cancer,
Cervical Cancer, HCC, MCC, TMB-H
Cancer, or cSCC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months
Adult patients with high-risk BCG-
unresponsive NMIBC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*		 Until persistent or recurrent high-risk
NMIBC, disease progression,
unacceptable toxicity, or up to
24 months
Pediatric patients with cHL, PMBCL,
MSI-H or dMMR Cancer, MCC, or TMB-
H Cancer		 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks (up to a
maximum of 200 mg)*		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months
Pediatric patients (12 years and older)
for adjuvant treatment of melanoma
 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks (up to a
maximum of 200 mg)*		 Until disease recurrence, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 12 months
Combination Therapy†
Adult patients with resectable NSCLC 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to chemotherapy when given on the same day.		 Neoadjuvant treatment in combination with
chemotherapy for 12 weeks or until
disease progression that precludes
definitive surgery or unacceptable toxicity,
followed by adjuvant treatment with
KEYTRUDA as a single agent after
surgery for 39 weeks or until disease
recurrence or unacceptable toxicity
Adult patients with NSCLC, HNSCC,
HER2-negative Gastric Cancer,
Esophageal Cancer, or BTC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to
chemotherapy when given on
the same day.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months
Adult patients with locally advanced or
metastatic urothelial cancer		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA after
enfortumab vedotin when given
on the same day.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months
Adult patients with HER2-positive
Gastric Cancer		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to
trastuzumab and chemotherapy
when given on the same day.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months
Adult patients with Cervical Cancer 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to
chemoradiotherapy or prior to
chemotherapy with or without
bevacizumab when given on the
same day.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or for KEYTRUDA, up to
24 months
Adult patients with RCC 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA in
combination with axitinib 5 mg
orally twice daily‡
or
Administer KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or for KEYTRUDA, up to
24 months
Adult patients with Endometrial
Carcinoma		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA in
combination with lenvatinib
20 mg orally once daily.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or for KEYTRUDA, up to
24 months
Adult patients with high-risk early-stage
TNBC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to chemotherapy when given on the same day.		 Neoadjuvant treatment in combination with chemotherapy for 24 weeks (8 doses of 200 mg every 3 weeks or 4 doses of 400 mg every 6 weeks) or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, followed by adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent for up to 27 weeks (9 doses of 200 mg every 3 weeks or 5 doses of 400 mg every 6 weeks) or until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity§
Adult patients with locally recurrent
unresectable or metastatic TNBC		 200 mg every 3 weeks*
or
400 mg every 6 weeks*
Administer KEYTRUDA prior to
chemotherapy when given on
the same day.		 Until disease progression, unacceptable
toxicity, or up to 24 months

Dose Modifications

No dose reduction for KEYTRUDA is recommended. In general, withhold KEYTRUDA for severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reactions. Permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reactions, recurrent severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated reactions that require systemic immunosuppressive treatment, or an inability to reduce corticosteroid dose to 10 mg or less of prednisone or equivalent per day within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Dosage modifications for KEYTRUDA for adverse reactions that require management different from these general guidelines are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Recommended Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reaction Severity* Dosage Modification
ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, DRESS = Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, SJS = Stevens Johnson Syndrome, TEN = toxic epidermal necrolysis, ULN = upper limit normal
*
Based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0
†
Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grades 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to 10 mg per day or less (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.
‡
If AST and ALT are less than or equal to ULN at baseline, withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA based on recommendations for hepatitis with no liver involvement.
Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
Pneumonitis Grade 2 Withhold†
Grade 3 or 4 Permanently discontinue
Colitis Grade 2 or 3 Withhold†
Grade 4 Permanently discontinue


Hepatitis with no tumor involvement
of the liver		 AST or ALT increases to more than 3
and up to 8 times ULN
or
Total bilirubin increases to more than
1.5 and up to 3 times ULN		 Withhold†
For liver enzyme elevations in
patients treated with combination
therapy with axitinib, see Table 3.		 AST or ALT increases to more than
8 times ULN
or
Total bilirubin increases to more than
3 times ULN		 Permanently discontinue
Hepatitis with tumor involvement of
the liver‡		 Baseline AST or ALT is more than 1
and up to 3 times ULN and increases to
more than 5 and up to 10 times ULN
or
Baseline AST or ALT is more than 3
and up to 5 times ULN and increases to
more than 8 and up to 10 times ULN		 Withhold†
ALT or AST increases to more than
10 times ULN
or
Total bilirubin increases to more than
3 times ULN		 Permanently discontinue
Endocrinopathies Grade 3 or 4 Withhold until clinically stable or permanently
discontinue depending on severity
Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction Grade 2 or 3 increased blood creatinine Withhold†
Grade 4 increased blood creatinine Permanently discontinue
Exfoliative Dermatologic Conditions Suspected SJS, TEN, or DRESS Withhold†
Confirmed SJS, TEN, or DRESS Permanently discontinue
Myocarditis Grade 2, 3, or 4 Permanently discontinue
Neurological Toxicities Grade 2 Withhold†
Grade 3 or 4 Permanently discontinue
Hematologic toxicity in patients with
cHL or PMBCL		 Grade 4 Withhold until resolution to Grades 0 or 1
Other Adverse Reactions
Infusion-related reactions
[see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]		 Grade 1 or 2 Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion
Grade 3 or 4 Permanently discontinue

The following table represents dosage modifications that are different from those described above for KEYTRUDA or in the Full Prescribing Information for the drug administered in combination.

Table 3: Recommended Specific Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions for KEYTRUDA in Combination with Axitinib
Treatment Adverse Reaction Severity Dosage Modification
ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, ULN = upper limit normal
*
Consider corticosteroid therapy
†
Based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0. Consider rechallenge with a single drug or sequential rechallenge with both drugs after recovery. If rechallenging with axitinib, consider dose reduction as per the axitinib Prescribing Information.
KEYTRUDA in
combination with
axitinib		 Liver enzyme elevations* ALT or AST increases to at least 3 times but less than 10 times ULN without concurrent total bilirubin at least 2 times ULN Withhold both KEYTRUDA
and axitinib until resolution to
Grades 0 or 1†
ALT or AST increases to more than 3 times ULN with concurrent total bilirubin at least 2 times ULN
or ALT or AST ≥10 times ULN		 Permanently discontinue both
KEYTRUDA and axitinib

Recommended Dose Modifications for Adverse Reactions for KEYTRUDA in Combination with Lenvatinib

When administering KEYTRUDA in combination with lenvatinib, modify the dosage of one or both drugs. Withhold or discontinue KEYTRUDA as shown in Table 2. Refer to lenvatinib prescribing information for additional dose modification information.

Preparation and Administration

Preparation for Intravenous Infusion

  • Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration. The solution is clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to slightly yellow. Discard the vial if visible particles are observed.
  • Dilute KEYTRUDA injection (solution) prior to intravenous administration.
  • Withdraw the required volume from the vial(s) of KEYTRUDA and transfer into an intravenous (IV) bag containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP. Mix diluted solution by gentle inversion. Do not shake. The final concentration of the diluted solution should be between 1 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL.
  • Discard any unused portion left in the vial.

Storage of Diluted Solution

The product does not contain a preservative.

Store the diluted solution from the KEYTRUDA 100 mg/4 mL vial either:

  • At room temperature for no more than 6 hours from the time of dilution. This includes room temperature storage of the diluted solution, and the duration of infusion.
  • Under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 96 hours from the time of dilution. If refrigerated, allow the diluted solution to come to room temperature prior to administration. Do not shake.

Discard after 6 hours at room temperature or after 96 hours under refrigeration.

Do not freeze.

Administration

  • Administer diluted solution intravenously over 30 minutes through an intravenous line containing a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low-protein binding 0.2 micron to 5 micron in-line or add-on filter.
  • Do not co-administer other drugs through the same infusion line.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer