Keytruda drug: Uses, indications and notes when using

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Keytruda is generically known as PEMBROLIZUMAB. Immunotherapy X thanks to its action in the body that the drug is used to treat cancer. The drug is prepared and enters the body by intravenous injection.

1. Uses of the drug Keytruda

Pembrolizumab is a drug used to treat cancer. Keytruda works by changing the way your own immune system works, and it focuses on attacking cancer cells. Pembrolizumab belongs to the class of monoclonal antibody drugs.

2. How to use Keytruda

Read the medication guide and follow the directions given by your doctor or pharmacist before you start treatment. If you have questions you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for an explanation.
Keytruda drug enters the body by slow injection into a vein over a period of 30 minutes. This medication is prescribed by a doctor, and it is given by injection as directed by your doctor, usually every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks.
When Keytruda enters the body, a serious infusion reaction including fever, chills, shivering, flushing, trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting can occur. When you encounter these conditions, you need to get support from medical facilities. The dose of Keytruda will be based on your medical condition, weight, and your body's ability to respond to treatment.

3. Possible side effects when using Keytruda and precautions

When using Keytruda, the drug can cause some side effects such as generalized fatigue, swelling in the ankles, feet or hands, itching in the skin, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or trouble sleeping. If the above effects persist or are more severe, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away to find a solution.

People using Keytruda may experience serious side effects. Some effects may occur soon after stopping treatment. However, you do not need to worry too much because your doctor has prescribed the medicine, which has been carefully considered and based on your medical condition. If you have any serious side effects tell your doctor right away, including cough or worsening cough, trouble breathing, diarrhea, blood in stools, or mucus. symptoms of liver disease such as nausea, persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow eyes, yellow skin, dark urine, signs of kidney problems such as change in the amount of urine, urine pink color, bloody urine, persistent headache, dizziness, fainting, vision changes, eye pain, sensitivity to light, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, joint pain, signs of infection such as sore throat that won't go away, fever, chills, easy bruising, bleeding,...
Pembrolizumab can cause hormone gland problems such as making too little or too much. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: intolerance to cold or heat, unexplained weight loss, mood changes, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, constipation .
If you already have diabetes, you must consider when taking Keytruda because it can increase blood sugar, check your blood sugar according to the instructions and report the results to your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet accordingly.
Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects, including chest pain, seizures. Or any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including hives, swelling, itching especially of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you have any other unusual symptoms, consult your doctor for advice.
As a precaution, before using pembrolizumab, tell your doctor or pharmacist to find an alternative in time if you are allergic to this medicine or its ingredients. or if you have any allergies in addition. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially of organ transplants. Because people who receive a donor stem cell transplant after treatment with pembrolizumab can experience very serious complications, the most dangerous being death. This Keytruda may make you dizzy, so do not drive, use machines, or do anything that requires concentration and alertness.
You should not use pembrolizumab while you are pregnant. Pembrolizumab may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor right away about your pregnancy and the risks and benefits of this medicine. If you are breastfeeding, you should not breast-feed during treatment and for 4 months after stopping treatment. Talk to your doctor for more information.

4. Keytruda drug interactions

Drug interactions can change the way the medicine works or make it less effective or less effective when taken and increase the risk of serious side effects. So tell your doctor about a list of all the products you use including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products. Do not combine medicines together without consulting your doctor to avoid risk to you.

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Reference source: webmd.com