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2.3 Overall Rating

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Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

14 People found this comment helpful

I have Metastatic Melanoma in my lungs Stage IV I have had 27 treatments and I am stable as of now. I do not get sick from this drug, I have not lost any weight nor many of the other side effects that they tell you to watch for. My Thyroid acted up a bit, but that's all. I thank God for this drug every day.

Most voted negative review

3 People found this comment helpful

The side effects were the worst. The treatment with this drug was stopped after the first dose.

Shared reviews and ratings

George | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
1/7/2024
Condition: Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
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Satisfaction

I’ve been on keytruda now for 7 years. I’ve had little to no side affects. I was given 3 to 6 months to live before I was put on keytruda. I started at every 3 weeks for 4 years and the last 3 years I have it every 6 weeks . This drug is miracle.

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poison | 75 or over | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Caregiver
12/9/2023
Condition: early-stage triple-negative breast cancer
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My mom was an active, independent 75 year old. Noticed a lump in June, it was cancer. After four rounds of chemo that didn’t even phase her she was awaiting a lumpectomy. Four weeks later had severe bloody diarrhea, she got immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis, it’s now November and we have a hospice consult today. The diarrhea will not stop, no matter the treatment, her albumin is so low she’s swollen and bedridden, we had no idea how bad this drug was. We just knew many people walk away from breast cancer and live forever so we accepted what the doctor recommended, so sad, my mom was driving, cooking, shopping a month and a half ago and now she’s on her literal death bed. Stay away from Keytruda.Read More Read Less

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CBJ | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Caregiver
11/29/2023
Condition: Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
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My father, who has stage IV metastatic lung cancer (squamous cell cancer), was placed on Keytruda. We were not told of the severe risks by his physician but were told it was critical that he be on it. After his third round of chemo and Krytruda, we noticed a reduced appetite, 20lb weight loss, and extreme fatigue. A week after he stopped the meds (my dad complained of severe stomach pains, vomiting after every bite of food, and mental confusion…btw he was an attorney by trade before retirement), he passed out in the physician’s office and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Three weeks later, several tests (3 CT scans, an MRI, a PT/CT scan and countless blood tests), and many days in and out of the hospital, hospital specialists have determined that he has new legions (that are not cancerous) on his liver and cirrhosis, which he did not have when he began chemo or Keytruda. His liver is failing and ammonia has reached his brain which is causing him to be nonverbal and constantly confused. Jaundice has set in and His kidneys are also malfunctioning. The specialists all point to Keytruda as the cause. A week ago he was driving and enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with 20 members of our family. He was laughing, moving around (albeit with a cane since his first two rounds of treatments), and generally in good health. He’s now bedridden and facing life-threatening complications. I’ve spent four days and nights in the hospital with him and am not sure if he’ll make it out of here. He was a proud functioning 81-year old grandfather who loved life and the people around him, including his new girlfriend. He’s now unable to move on his own, moaning and crying out for help all day, and showing no signs of improvement. TAKEAWAY- Make sure you ask questions and read disclaimers before taking this drug (or any other for that matter). In my opinion, and that of his physician’s, it’s squarely responsible for his rapid and gut wrenching decline. NOT WORTH IT.Read More Read Less

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notKeytruda! | 75 or over | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Caregiver
11/24/2023
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My dad's lymphoma was stable but he was having neuropathy from his current chemo drugs. He was switched to Keytruda. After two doses, he was unable to eat solids foods and his throat and tongue were swelling. He was admitted to the hospital and after a week of testing, was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. He was put on NG tube, then a G tube. Now he's got sepsis and c diff. Avoid Keytruda!

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Concerned | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Caregiver
10/31/2023
Condition: Added Therapy to Improve Treatment of Melanoma
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
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No doubt at all Keytruda caused my father’s death. Finished treatments in May, hospital visits started in July and passed away in October. Adrenal insufficiency and Hypothyroidism. He was 72 years old and going to the gym and active in May. Always get second opinions!

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Jenny | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Caregiver
10/3/2023
Condition: Small Cell Cancer of the Lung
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I believe this drug killed my father. He did chemo and was cleared stage one lung cancer. and in 10 days it spread to his spine ribs lung pelvis and organs began to shut down. He was healthy otherwise and it was a rapid decline. Please stay away

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Anonymous | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Caregiver
9/13/2023
Condition: Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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My dad was diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma of the lung. He received 2 treatments of Keytruda. The day after his second treatment he was rushed to the ER with sudden stroke like symptoms. After having a CAT scan and MRI it was determined that he did not have stroke but that his symptoms were caused by the Keytruda. He was having slurred speak, confusion, and hallucinations. It has been a week and he still remains in the hospital. Some improvement but will need to go to a rehab facility. I will never recommend this treatment to anyone!Read More Read Less

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Barbara Bartlett | 75 or over | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
9/1/2023
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
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Caused hyperprogression while on Keytruda. Cancer grew from a few individual cells to a 2 1/2 inch solid tumor. Was referred to MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, Tx where I had chemo, radiation and an almost 10 hour surgery. I go back to Houston in Sept 2023 for a check-up ??????

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Lina | 55-64 | Female | Caregiver
8/21/2023
Condition: Cancer of the Cervix
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
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Satisfaction

My mother died in less then 30 days after just 1 infusion. Absolute poison, do not take this drug. She could not eat, drink, speak.... Devastating, it destroyed our life. This drug causes death worse then canser. The hospital and the doctor will write everything off to desease progression, its impossible to get any answers, they bear no responsibility and continue to kill people with Kaytruda. Many people didnt have that much time left, a year was maybe what my mother had, and Kaytruda took away that time. Read More Read Less

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Fungirl | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/5/2023
Condition: HR negative, HER2 negative, PD-L1 positive breast cancer
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
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Currently I’m taking Keytruda every 3 weeks with taxol and carboplatine. I feel when I get the keytruda i hv less side affects with my chemo. After 4 cycles of chemo and keytruda I wil be taking keytruda every 3 weeks so I don’t know if I will feel differently with the keytruda alone but so far no real issues.

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Steven | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Caregiver
7/13/2023
Condition: Added Therapy to Improve Treatment of Melanoma
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After two infusions this drug caused my partner’s immune system to attack the mucosal lining of his upper GI and stomach. He very nearly starved to death, spent months in the hospital, experienced constant nausea 24hrs a day for a year, and has not been able to eat or drink since. He is maintained on TPN (total parental nutrition) through a PICC. What quality of life he would have had left has been destroyed by this drug. His cancer has already returned and he just had a complete lymph node removal.Read More Read Less

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Shannon | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Caregiver
6/25/2023
Condition: Cancer Involving the Kidney Cells
Overall rating 1.0
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Ease of Use
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We just buried my father in law Tuesday June 20th 2023. He was taking this drug for cancer in a lymp.after 1 treat he ended up in the hospital it was shutting down his organs. Drs. Said he was 1 in 10 world wide. Sadly it caused a blood clot that killed him within mins. This drug should not be given with all the severe side effects

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Halfway | 65-74 | Male | Patient
6/23/2023
Condition: Cancer Involving the Kidney Cells
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
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Had a renal cell carcinoma removed May of 2022. No symptoms, but found on CT for another issue. Tumor was 8.5 cm, about size of baseball. The tumor was removed. Pathology found two nearby metastatic lymph nodes, although first report stated there were cancer in them and later that there weren’t. When my primary provider called him, he stated it was a typo error. I went from Stage two to three over a typo! In any event, underwent nine infusions in 54 weeks. Normal is every three weeks, but I went every six because I live on a ranch, two hours from the clinic. My side effect was arthritic aggravation of my right knee, which required steroid injections. I have lost about ten pounds in all of this, but otherwise I am healthy. The big question is whether Keytruda really did anything, at a cost of over $200,000. I did have a CT before treatment and one five months after starting and there is no evidence of a spread, but after that typo, maybe there was nothing to go after. So thank you Medicare for allowing this experiment at no cost to me, but for having to drive to Idaho.Read More Read Less

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Jennifer | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/26/2023
Condition: Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Overall rating 1.0
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I had stage 3A melanoma. Received one dose of Keytruda to only be stopped because I was so sick from it. I got severe colitis and medication induced celiac disease from one dose! Lost 14lbs in 14 days. Was getting 2 bags of IV fluids everyday until this medication was reversed. Oncologist stated I would have been in the hospital if I wasn’t young but I think it had more to do with me being an RN of 15 years. It has taken me 5 months to start feeling better from it. The doctors are guessing that in 1-2 years the celiac disease may go away. I’m not so sure about that. Apparently you just have to carry the gene for it to be activated by this medication. I can’t tell the effectiveness since I’m only 6 months out. Not a miracle cure by any means. If I had to chose again I wouldn’t try this drug. I would keep waiting for new treatments. There are lots in the works for melanoma. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 65-74 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/19/2023
Condition: squamous cell carcinoma of skin
Overall rating 1.3
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I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on my right arm. It was found in my lymph nodes under my right arm. The Keytruda clinical nurse recommended that I participate in Keytruda clinical trials. I received one injection and in less than one week I started having severe side effects. Could not breathe, Bad Cough, muscle and bone pain, rash,itching I developed pneumonitis of the lungs. Now I have permanent lung damage. Still on oxygen. Do not take Keytruda it ruined my life

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Mark L | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Caregiver
2/13/2023
Condition: Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overall rating 1.0
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This drug is awful. After a year of infusions, which made my husband very weak and sick, he died from pneumonitis. He spent 5 months in the hospital, getting weaker and more sick every day. I am so sorry we went through this and wish we had not listened to the doctors who prescribed this treatment. It was awful and did no good whatsoever, except to cause more pain and agony than the cancer itself.

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Morty | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Caregiver
2/13/2023
Condition: Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overall rating 1.0
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My husband was given Keytruda treatment for non small cell lung cancer. After a year of treatment infusions, he was admitted to the hospital and never came out alive. I would not recommend this treatment and am very sorry that we listened to the doctors that recommended it. His death was painful and long, he spent 5 months in the hospital during Covid. He would have had a much less painful outcome without Keytruda and radiation. It was awful for both of us.

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C. | 75 or over | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Caregiver
1/26/2023
Condition: Liver Cell Cancer
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
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My mother-in-law has been murdered by a so-called doctor (on Merck's payroll basically) with this pure poison. She was fine before. The tumor was not well defined or described, nothing else had been discovered at the latest scan, and she was fully functional. One year before she had had surgery to remove a tumor from her colon. A few days after the first infusion, she started experiencing the effects listed on keytruda's website, with more added every day, until she couldn't even move anymore. She died about a month later, with the scan at the hospital revealing numerous large tumors everywhere, numerous blood clots everywhere, type 1 diabetes, etc.none of which she had prior to the administration of this poison. Too bad it's not possible to give negative stars... Prescribing this "medication" is a gamble with the patient's life and is criminal. Read More Read Less

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Hugh RICKETTS | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Caregiver
1/23/2023
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.0
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My husband. 77 years old had Pancreatic cancer. Since 2013. He had surgery a Whipple procedure. Had chemo therapy. IV and PO. He was cancer free for 7 years. A small tumor appeared on head of liver and are. Dr gave three doses 3 weeks apart. He was walking driving. Until the second doseage. And very week and fell a lot. Called Md. made an appointment and Md said he was going to give third doseage. And my husband went to ER. .1week after infusion. Very sob. Unable to walk. They did ultrasound of lungs. Left lung had blood clots and mass had grown. They treated him for three days and sent him home with hospice and he died 1week later from a blood clot to the brain with a major stroke. So this medication is a killerRead More Read Less

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ChasA | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/21/2022
Condition: Cancer Involving the Kidney Cells
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
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I have stage 4 metatastic kidney cancer. I was on Keytruda for approximately 15 months. During that period my disease was stable. However, the side effects were horrible. After a few months I lost thyroid function which was easily treated with levothyroxine. By the end of the 15 months I had developed a bad case of pneumonitis combined with DVTs which landed me in the hospital for a week and required oxygen for the next month and treatment with high dose steroids. I was taken of the Keytruda and was left with the thyroid condition and lung scarring. I felt the drug was effective in dealing with the cancer, but the side effects were unsustainable.Read More Read Less

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