Pembrolizumab
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a prescription immunotherapy medication used to treat various cancers by helping the body's immune system detect and destroy cancer cells. It is typically prescribed when cancer has progressed, returned, or cannot be removed by surgery.
Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that treats multiple cancers by enhancing the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 1547550
- Generic
- Keytruda
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Keytruda is used to treat multiple types of cancer including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancers, and others. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments depending on the specific cancer type and stage.
Keytruda is a PD-1 inhibitor that blocks the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) pathway. This helps restore the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells by preventing cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to hide from immune detection.
Keytruda is administered as an intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional. Common side effects include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and immune-related adverse reactions. Patients should be monitored for immune-mediated side effects affecting various organs. Treatment decisions should be made by qualified healthcare providers based on individual patient factors.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy