Skip to main content

Keytruda User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Keytruda has an average rating of 4.4 out of 10 from a total of 205 reviews on Drugs.com. 35% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 57% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Keytruda

  • Nsclc...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 2, 2022

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Was told in May 2021 I had stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (nsclc). Dr started me on chemo (aggressive) and Keytruda Went with this as I have no other health issues. Chemo was rough through went 5 of 6 treatments dr advised that my drop as blood counts were in his words 'really scary'. Been on Keytruda only every 3 weeks and feel much better than with chemo. All blood work is now good. Since start of treatment main tumor is almost gone and no evidence of cancer anywhere else. I will stay on Keytruda another year and see where I end up then. I have no side effects besides my skin is a bit drier."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Tom...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 10, 2023

For Head and Neck Cancer "My wife suffered from head/neck cancer. She was strong and had been through multiple lines of treatment for 6 years. After the third Keytruda cycle treatment, everything began to go downhill. She didn't sleep or eat well at all and lost 27 lbs. Her liver and kidneys started shutting down and she died within 2 weeks after suffering from tumor lysis syndrome. No, I cannot recommend this drug. You will just be another lab experiment."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Nana
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 26, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband , age 66 with Lung Epithelioid Sarcoma stage 4. Rare form and aggressive. Keytruda caused hypothyroidism, weakness, aches and swelling in arms and legs, tingling and numbness in feet, severe mood changes. Yes, this keytruda has helped him fight this cancer but at a cost to quality of life. It is wonderful to have him here with us after 20 months of battling this cancer, but saddens me to see he cannot fully enjoy life, keytruda also caused eyes to blur and therefore he cannot read books which he has always loved to do! At what cost shall we suffer just to stay alive? Not to discourage others to not take this drug, everyone reacts differently to drugs, many can continue to support their family. But in my husband case, he has the side affects listed on the website."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • baf
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 1, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Husband was diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell lung cancer April 2017 after heart surgery. Was put on it in the beginning and I believe that this is the only thing keeping him alive. Never been sick or weak, no problem except hard to breath at times."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report
  • TheSu...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 27, 2020

For Melanoma, Metastatic "I have stage 4 Melanoma and have just finished two years of Keytruda following a metastasis to my bowel. Thankfully, living in the Uk our NHS covered the cost of it. During this time, I had no side effects other than fatigue which I managed at home. Recent scans have been clear so for me, I am more than happy with this drug."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
20 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Ferma...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 6, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I have had numerous treatments over the past 18 months, now these didn't improve my general health, but that wasn't very bad at any time. I have now had 4 treatments of Keytruda & find that my general health has improved. My energy levels have certainly risen, certainly not as much tiredness as before, like l can walk 3 mile most days without any bother. Previous to starting this treatment l had great discomfort with fluid on my lung, this discomfort has now gone. I never had any side effects from getting Keytruda, me living a very normal life, long may it continue !!"

Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Tess...
  • November 17, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father had Keytruda and now he is dead . Stay away from this form of treatment!!!! It does not lengthen your life it shortens it. It also stops all the good in your immunity. Please stay away from this drug!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report

More FAQ

  • Puddin
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 7, 2021

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My husband started keytruda June 2021. The first treatment landed him in ICU with severe adrenal insufficiency. "They" said it was causes by a reduction in Prednisone not the keytruda. I knew better. I've been with him to all appts and treatments since his cancer was diagnosed in 2014. When he had a biopsy and it was decided he was a candidate for keytruda the oncologist was elated. Prior to starting keytruda my husband was walking, talking, driving and living a normal life despite cancer. Keytruda was hailed a miracle miracle drug because my husband had a rare genetic mutation that qualified him for keytruda. He had four doses total and each one made him so sick we were at the oncology office three times a week for fluids and whatever else they put in the saline bag. He started Keytruda June 2021 and currently he is laying in our living room dying under hospice care. The Dr dropped my husband and offered no explanation. I am heartbroken."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Duz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 6, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad took this drug because they said his chances were good to prolong life. They said his body tested strong. He took one treatment and was joking around that day. He had almost every side effect with 5-7 days. We lost him within 2 months after this. He was so weak and frail. I don’t recommend it. I regret ever going this route."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • Keytr...
  • June 18, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I believe keytruda killed my dad. After the second dose he quit eating. He was getting sick no energy. Doctors just kept saying it wasn't that and pushing the drug. He had a tumor that appeared and rapidly grew. Also his best friend was on this for the same and he is now really really sick. This is a horrible horrible drug and should be taken off the market"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • Artemis...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 13, 2018

For Head and Neck Cancer "I've been on Keytruda for eleven months now. So far the growth has slowed to where we can call it "arrested". At least it has bought me another year of life. The side-effects are manageable, for me at least, so I guess I'm one of the "lucky" (I don't feel lucky having cancer to begin with) ones from reading the other reviews."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Heart...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 5, 2022

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "My husband had lung cancer which he had radiation for. Within 3 months it mastesized to his kidney and spine stage 4. He was in terrible pain so they did 15 treatments of palliative radiation. After this, the oncologist encourage him to try the Keytruda infusions. As soon as the infusion started, he said he knew it was a mistake. Upon completion of the treatment, he came out of the building disoriented. Two days later was in ER with low calcium, low magnesium, kidneys were failing and dehydration. By Friday he was under hospice care. It has been 2 weeks since the infusion and continues to spiral downward. Please, I beg you don’t use this treatment. It is lethal."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • drugs...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 31, 2020

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My brother, who was a healthy 70 year old, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. After 6 chemotherapy treatments, which were somewhat beneficial, he was given one dose of Keytruda. Although his Doctor told him "most of his patients don't have any side effects and if (he) did it would be in 5-6 weeks". Within two weeks, my brother ended up back in the hospital and passed away 5 days later. His records are clear in stating that the Keytruda caused multi-organ failure. He died 5 days later. Keytruda is a very bad drug and should not be available for use. "

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • Barba...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 24, 2022

"My husband went through 2 different sets of 7 week treatments of Radiation for Angiosarcoma and never had any side affects to speak of at all. Then a spot came up again on his head so they put him on Keytruda infusions. He had 2 treatments 6 weeks apart. He got really sick the week before his next one was scheduled so they postponed it. He slept the whole next 6 weeks, stopped eating, barely drinking, so weak he could barely walk and then stopped being able to move on his own, he was confused and most days could barely talk. The only side effect we were told he would probably might have was diarrhea which he was more constipated than anything. After 6 weeks, 7 doctors, 1 ER visit, he died at home. No one was ever able to help him even when we told everyone he was on Keytruda. I have no doubt that medicine killed my husband and now I live with the memories of watching him die and no one was able to help him. Please don’t take this drug."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Jordan
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2017

For Melanoma "This drug gave me all kind of side effects that made it impossible to continue taking the drug. I wish I never would have started it. I would not recommend this drug to anyone and would encourage them to find an alternate holistic option."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
25 Report
  • griev...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 5, 2018

"My husband has lung cancer metastisize and is dying before my eyes because of ONE keytruda infusion. Within 20 minutes he became dazed, disoriented, could barely walk. This keytruda attacked his liver, kidneys, heart, and who knows what else. Liver number was 1080, up from a normal 30 - 40. His kidney and heart numbers were equally bad. This drug continues to destroy his body. Now he sits in a dazed condition because of the pain and medication needed to control this pain. I know it works for some but this ketruda is stealing my loving husband from me."

Was this helpful?YesNo
20 Report
  • Not...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 16, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband has stage 4 metastisized Lung, Kidney and Brain cancer. He started Keytruda in Late May 2021. 3 1/2 months later he is in bad shape. Terrible shoulder pain. Confused. Tired. No appetite is 4 hospital stays. Can't eat solid food. Lost 12 lbs in 5 days! Heart attack. Keytruda is so bad for my loving husband. Please research this deadly drug before you or a loved one is given an infusion. My husband is slipping away from me and his family"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Schona
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 20, 2021

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Had stage 4 melanoma that presented in my scapular bone in June 2016. Operation to remove meant I lost some movement in my right arm. 6 month later it spread to right femur bone and C3 in the neck. Started Ketruda in December 2016. Scan in March 2017 showed no evidence of any cancer. 4 years later living a normal life. Side effects minimal for the whole 2 years I was on treatment. Immune system kicked back into gear and did the job. Amazing drug as doesn’t poison you like chemo. Highly recommend."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Lisa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 29, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My brother was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer in October 2022. He had his port put in on October 12 and they started his first round of chemotherapy and Keytruda on Friday, October 14, 2022. Five days later, Wednesday, October 19, he was admitted to the hospital for a severe lung infection and was put on several antibiotics but the infection got worse. He began to swell so bad that his skin was literally leaking, his kidneys shut down, he was incoherent and couldn’t speak. He had 20 lbs of dHe was on almost full oxygen and full dialysis. He had never had kidney problems before. They did so many procedures trying to figure out what was wrong. He had twenty pounds of fluid on him. We weren’t told of the side effects of Keytruda and what it would do to him. Keytruda killed my brother in 30 days!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • BigRi...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 25, 2021

For Head and Neck Cancer "After meeting with a surgeon who is the best who advised me he could do the surgery. Yup removal of my tongue, facial nerve damage with lifetime pain, feeding tube, and not being able to speak. I decided “No Thanks” I like my Tacos and being able To tell people I love them. My oncologist suggested Keytruda and immunotherapy. It saved my life and my tongue!!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Madda...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 3, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad started Keytruda in March 2021. He had lung cancer. This was pretty much the only option he was given. He died very suddenly 3 months later. One day he started having horrible abdominal pain. Took him to ER where he was admitted to ICU. He had one kidney completely failed and 3 aneurysms. I feel had he not started Keytruda he would still be with us."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Micha...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 11, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband has had seven treatments. The worse side effect has been extreme fatigue although he has continued to work full time. It affected his thyroid, and he is now taking Synthroid. He has been an insulin dependent diabetic for many years, and the Keytruda has apparently affected that also. Working with his endocrinologist to get that under control. He will have a scan done in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it will be good news. We both agree this drug is way better than undergoing chemo."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
20 Report
  • Liz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 20, 2022

For Squamous Cell Carcinoma "We found out my Dad had squamous cell lung cancer stage 4 in June, he tried radiation which didn't work, doctors didn't suggest chemo but suggested immunotherapy Keytruda instead. I had really high hopes for immunotherapy after reading and seeing good things about it on abc news claiming it could be the "cure". Me and my family definitely had high hopes, and we all thought it would be safer than chemo, less side effects. August 24th 2022 Wed is when they gave keytruda to him through iv. I saw him the next day and he seemed fine in the hospital despite his other health problems and his legs being paralyzed from the tumor. Sunday I called the hospital to check on how he was doing. Nurses said he wasn't doing good... somehow his oxygen was depleting in his body and he wasn't responding to their oxygen. I rushed to the hospital Aug 28th Sun and saw my Dad for the last time, held his hand while I watched him breathe his last breath unconscious. He was starved of oxygen because of this..."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • DWs...
  • January 13, 2021

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer 6/20. Tests showed his cancer was Stage 4 with lung mets. He started with a GC combination chemo, but almost halfway through treatment, it was not working. His lung mets had gotten larger. Now he had bone mets on his left hip and pelvis. He was put on Keytruda end of 09/20. For the first 7-8 weeks, he improved to 95% full functioning. After the 2nd Keytruda treatment, he began to fail gradually, where he is now at 10% functioning. His 3 month CT scan showed his tumors in his lungs and hip/pelvis were larger, and he now had liver mets. While waiting the standard 3 months to see if Keytruda was working, his condition continued to deteriorate. The appearence of pseudo-remission initially led to false hope, and the devastating experience upon the deterioration in his condition. I suppose the only other alternative would have been to not have treatment at all during these past 7 months."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Dad
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 17, 2022

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "NSCLC. Just plain and simple. Keytruda killed my dad. He went thru radiation and that shrunk the main tumor. We should have stopped there!!! 3 treatments of Keytruda and he took a nose dive: No eating, could barely walk, declined quickly. Hospice started. Three days later dead. My dad was 95 but very active for his age. If you have an elderly love one, let them live there life. Don't give them Keytruda!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.