Logan Steele
Keytruda is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of advanced cancer. It is an immunotherapy medication that works with the immune system to slow tumour growth. While Keytruda has been effective in treating many types of cancer, it can cause side effects, some of which may be long-term and range from mild to severe. One of the most common side effects of Keytruda is muscle pain, which tends to be mild and manageable in most cases. However, in rare cases, Keytruda has been linked to nerve problems, which can cause weakness and changes in muscle function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle pain | Common side effect, mild and manageable in most cases |
| Treatment | Over-the-counter pain relievers, NSAIDs, steroids |
| Severe cases | Prescription pain medication, orthopedic (bone) specialist referral |
| Other side effects | Fatigue, joint pain, diarrhea, rash, nerve pain, thyroid function changes |
| Serious side effects | Immune system attacking normal organs and tissues, severe rashes, eye problems, kidney problems, organ transplant rejection, allergic reaction |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle pain is a common side effect of Keytruda
In clinical trials, some patients stopped treatment due to side effects. Muscle pain from Keytruda tends to be mild and easily manageable in most cases. However, it can become more severe. About 18% of people taking Keytruda in initial studies reported some degree of muscle and joint pain. Over-the-counter medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help relieve this pain. If NSAIDs are ineffective, a short course of steroids to calm the immune system may be recommended.
If the muscle pain becomes too much to handle, a doctor may recommend stopping Keytruda treatment. They may also refer the patient to a rheumatologist for additional evaluation. It is important to tell the doctor about any side effects, as some can become severe or life-threatening. For example, serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), can occur. These conditions are potentially life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Keytruda may also cause mild side effects such as fatigue, rash, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and nerve pain. Many of these side effects are common and manageable, but others may require an adjustment to the treatment plan. It is important to speak to a doctor if there are any concerns about Keytruda side effects.
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The pain is usually mild and manageable
Keytruda is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of advanced cancer. It is a biologic drug that works with the immune system to fight cancer. It is administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion every three to six weeks.
Muscle pain is a common side effect of Keytruda. About 18% of people taking Keytruda in initial studies reported some degree of muscle and joint pain. However, the pain is usually mild and manageable. It tends to be easily manageable in most cases. Patients have described the pain as an achy, deep, dull ache in one or more muscles.
Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve joint and muscle pain from Keytruda. If NSAIDs do not help, a cancer specialist may recommend a short course of steroids to calm the immune system. If the pain becomes severe, a prescription pain medication may be recommended.
Keytruda can cause serious side effects, and some patients have stopped treatment due to side effects. It can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of the body. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening. If you experience any side effects that bother you or do not go away, it is important to consult your doctor.
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It can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers
Muscle pain is a common side effect of Keytruda (pembrolizumab). It is a prescription drug used to treat certain kinds of advanced cancer. The medicine works with the immune system to target cancer cells, but it can also cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues. This can lead to inflammation and pain.
While muscle pain from Keytruda tends to be mild and manageable in most cases, it can become more severe. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can be used to treat mild muscle pain caused by Keytruda. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one option for OTC relief. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is another option, but only if your doctor recommends it.
If OTC medications are not effective in relieving muscle pain, a doctor may recommend a short course of steroids to calm the immune system and reduce inflammation. In some cases, prescription pain medication may be necessary.
It is important to note that Keytruda can cause severe and life-threatening side effects. If muscle pain becomes severe or persistent, it is important to seek medical advice. In some cases, a doctor may recommend stopping Keytruda treatment altogether.
In addition to muscle pain, Keytruda can cause other side effects, such as fatigue, joint pain, rash, diarrhea, and nausea. Some people may also experience serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which require immediate medical attention.
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In rare cases, Keytruda may cause nerve problems
Keytruda is a prescription drug used to treat certain kinds of advanced cancer. It is a medicine that works with the immune system to treat cancers. It is given as an infusion into a vein (IV infusion) every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of cancer.
Keytruda can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body. This can lead to severe or life-threatening problems, which may occur anytime during or even after treatment has ended. Some common side effects of Keytruda include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and diarrhea. Mild muscle pain from Keytruda is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if the pain becomes severe, it is important to consult a doctor, who may recommend prescription medication or refer you to a specialist.
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Keytruda can cause serious immune system reactions
Keytruda is a prescription drug used to treat certain advanced cancers. It is a medicine that works with the immune system to slow tumour growth. However, Keytruda can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body. This can lead to severe or life-threatening problems and, in some cases, even death.
In addition to nerve and muscle pain, Keytruda can also cause joint pain, including achy bones, joint stiffness, and muscle soreness. About 18% of people taking Keytruda in initial studies reported some degree of muscle and joint pain. These symptoms are usually mild and manageable, but they can become more severe and may require a different treatment plan.
Serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have also occurred in clinical trials of Keytruda. These conditions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical care. A mild, itchy skin rash is a common side effect of Keytruda, but the more serious skin reactions described above are different and require urgent medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
Keytruda is a prescription drug used to treat certain advanced cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and urothelial cancer. It is given as an infusion into a vein (IV infusion) every 3 to 6 weeks.
Yes, muscle pain is a common side effect of Keytruda. About 18% of people taking Keytruda in initial studies reported some degree of muscle pain. This side effect is usually mild and manageable, but it can become more severe.
Over-the-counter medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help relieve muscle pain from Keytruda. If NSAIDs are not effective, a cancer specialist may recommend a short course of steroids to calm the immune system. If the pain becomes too much to handle, it may be necessary to stop taking Keytruda altogether.
