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What is the difference between Opdivo and Keytruda?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 21, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Opdivo (nivolumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are two immunotherapy drugs used to treat various cancers. Both are monoclonal antibodies, known as PD1 inhibitors, first approved in 2014. Opdivo is from Bristol Myers Squibb, and Keytruda is from Merck & Co.

The main differences lie in their dosing, what other treatments they are recommended with, and what cancers they are approved to treat.

Opdivo Vs Keytruda Dosing Frequency

Opdivo: Given via IV infusion over 30 minutes every 2 to 4 weeks depending on the cancer you have.

Opdivo Qvantig: This is a new formulation of Opdivo that contains hyaluronidase that allows it to be given subcutaneously (under the skin) over 3 to 5 minutes every 2, 3, or 4 weeks depending on the dose and the cancer you have (see Opdivo Vs Opdivo Qvantig: What is the difference?).

Keytruda: Given via IV infusion over 30 minutes every 3-6 weeks.

Opdivo Vs Keytruda Combination Therapy

Opdivo Combination Treatment

Depending on the cancer being treated, Opdivo is used in combination with:

Opdivo Qvantig shares solid tumor FDA approvals with Opdivo, but it is not approved for use in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), malignant pleural mesothelioma, or in children. It is also not approved for use in combination with Yervoy, but is approved for use with Cabometyx or chemotherapy.

Keytruda Combination Treatment

Depending on the cancer being treated, Keytruda is used in combination with:

  • Pemetrexed (Alimta) and platinum chemotherapy
  • Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound (Abraxane)
  • Platinum and flurouracil
  • Trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy
  • Axitinib (Inlyta)
  • Lenvatinib (Lenvima)
  • Chemotherapy.

Both drugs are also used alongside fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy for treating certain gastric cancers.

Related questions

Opdivo Vs Keytruda Approved Uses

Keytruda is approved for additional cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (as a first-line treatment), cervical cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, endometrial carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, tumor mutational burden-high cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.

Opdivo was the first for adjuvant treatment of high-risk urothelial carcinoma, and is also used for pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall), and colorectal cancer.

Both are used for various other cancers, including:

  • skin cancers
  • lung cancer
  • kidney cancer
  • classical Hodgkin lymphoma
  • cancer of the stomach and esophagus
  • squamous cell cancer
  • bladder cancer
  • liver cancer.

*There are slight differences in approval specifics between Opdivo and Keytruda, such as if they are approved first-line or just for advanced (metastatic) cancer.

Opdivo Qvantig is only approved for:

  • Melanoma
  • Bladder cancer (urothelial carcinoma)
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal cancer
  • Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
  • Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.
References

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