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Keytruda vs. Imfinzi

Are Keytruda and Imfinzi the Same Thing?

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Imfinzi (durvalumab) are monoclonal antibodies used to treat different types of cancers.

Keytruda is used to treat patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor.

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is used to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy; or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Side effects of Keytruda and Imfinzi that are similar include fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, rash, decreased appetite, constipation, musculoskeletal pain (joint pain, back pain), and diarrhea/colitis.

Side effects of Keytruda that are different from Imfinzi include itching, loss of skin pigmentation (vitiligo), and headache.

Side effects of Imfinzi that are different from Keytruda include swelling of extremities, urinary tract infection (UTI), abdominal pain, and fever.

Both Keytruda and Imfinzi may interact with other drugs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Keytruda?

Common side effects of Keytruda include:

Side effects of Keytruda include:

  • fatigue,
  • cough,
  • shortness of breath,
  • nausea,
  • itching,
  • rash,
  • loss of skin pigmentation (vitiligo),
  • decreased appetite,
  • headache,
  • constipation,
  • joint pain,
  • back pain, and
  • diarrhea.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Imfinzi?

Common side effects of Imfinzi include:

  • fatigue,
  • musculoskeletal pain,
  • constipation,
  • decreased appetite,
  • nausea,
  • swelling of extremities,
  • urinary tract infection,
  • abdominal pain,
  • diarrhea/colitis,
  • fever,
  • shortness of breath,
  • cough, and
  • rash.

What Is Keytruda?

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor.

What Is Imfinzi?

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy; or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

What Drugs Interact With Keytruda?

Keytruda may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Keytruda is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Imfinzi?

Imfinzi may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

How Should Keytruda be Taken?

The recommended dose of Keytruda is 2 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

How Should Imfinzi be Taken?

Administer Imfinzi in a dose of 10 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks.