From the Guidelines
Pembrolizumab (Pemgarda) can cause various side effects ranging from common to severe, including fatigue, muscle pain, decreased appetite, itching, diarrhea, nausea, rash, fever, cough, shortness of breath, constipation, and pain in joints, as well as more serious immune-related adverse reactions 1.
Common Side Effects
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Decreased appetite
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Rash
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Constipation
- Pain in joints
Serious Side Effects
- Immune-related adverse reactions, such as:
- Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
- Colitis (inflammation of the intestines)
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
- Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
- Endocrinopathies (disorders of the hormone-producing glands)
- Severe rashes
- Other immune-related adverse reactions
Management of Side Effects
Patients should immediately report symptoms like breathing difficulties, severe diarrhea, yellowing of skin, decreased urination, unusual fatigue, or persistent headaches to their healthcare provider 1. Regular monitoring through blood tests and physical examinations is essential during treatment to detect and manage these side effects early. According to the most recent study 1, the most common adverse events from pembrolizumab are fatigue, pruritus, diarrhea, anorexia, constipation, nausea, rash, fever, cough, dyspnea, and musculoskeletal pain. Pembrolizumab also may be associated with immune-mediated side effects, which include colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, pneumonitis, or nephritis.
From the Research
Side Effects of Pemgarda (Pembrolizumab)
The side effects of Pemgarda (Pembrolizumab) have been studied in various clinical trials. Some of the common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Hypothyroidism
- Anemia
- Neutropenia
Grade 3 to 5 Treatment-Related Adverse Events
The rate of grade 3 to 5 treatment-related adverse events for pembrolizumab was 17% in one study 2, and 12.2% in another study 3.
Specific Side Effects in Different Cancers
In patients with advanced cervical cancer, the most common treatment-related adverse events were hypothyroidism (10.2%), decreased appetite (9.2%), and fatigue (9.2%) 3. In patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer, the most common grade 3 to 5 adverse events were anemia (30.3% in the pembrolizumab group and 26.9% in the placebo group) and neutropenia (12.4% and 9.7%, respectively) 4.
Comparison with Other Treatments
In a study comparing pembrolizumab with chemotherapy, the rate of grade 3 to 5 treatment-related adverse events was lower in the pembrolizumab group (17%) compared to the chemotherapy group (69%) 2.
Overall Safety Profile
The overall safety profile of pembrolizumab has been found to be manageable in various studies 3, 4, 5.