Formulary
Pembrolizumab [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Pembrolizumab [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Pembrolizumab [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Pembrolizumab [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Melanoma,Non-small cell lung cancer,Urothelial carcinoma,Classical Hodgkin lymphoma,Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,Renal cell carcinoma,Colorectal cancer,Oesophageal carcinoma,Breast cancer,Endometrial carcinoma,Cervical cancer,Gastric cancer,Small intestine cancer,Biliary cancer**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): Specialist drug - access specialist resources for dosing information.
Side effects
For pembrolizumab [Specialist drug] Common or very common Alopecia; anaemia; appetite decreased; arrhythmias; arthritis; asthenia; chills; connective tissue disorders; constipation; cough; cytokine release syndrome; decreased leucocytes; diarrhoea; dizziness; dry eye; dry mouth; dyspnoea; electrolyte imbalance; enterocolitis haemorrhagic; eye inflammation; eyelid hypopigmentation; fever; fluid imbalance; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; genital abnormalities; headache; hepatic disorders; hypersensitivity; hypertension; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; immune-mediated lung disease; increased risk of infection; influenza like illness; infusion related reaction; insomnia; interstitial lung disease; joint disorders; lethargy; lip swelling; musculoskeletal discomfort; myalgia; myopathy; myxoedema; nausea; nerve disorders; neutropenia; oedema; pain; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); skin reactions; taste altered; thrombocytopenia; torticollis; vomiting Uncommon Adrenal hypofunction; cardiac inflammation; diabetic ketoacidosis; eosinophilia; epilepsy; glomerulonephritis; hair colour changes; hypophysitis; hypopituitarism; immune-mediated pancreatitis; lymphocytic hypophysitis; nephritis; nephrotic syndrome; neuromuscular dysfunction; pancreatitis; pericardial effusion; renal impairment; sarcoidosis; tendon disorders; thyroid disorder; thyroiditis; type 1 diabetes mellitus Rare or very rare Aortitis; cholangitis sclerosing; cystitis; encephalitis non-infective; erythema nodosum; haemolytic anaemia; haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; hypoparathyroidism; meningitis; meningitis non-infective; pure red cell aplasia; transverse myelitis; vasculitis Frequency not known Solid organ transplant rejection Side-effects, further information Immune-related reactions Most immune-related adverse reactions are reversible and managed by temporarily stopping treatment and administration of a corticosteroid. Infusion-related reactions Manufacturer advises to permanently discontinue treatment in patients with severe infusion reactions.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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