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Keytruda vs. Tagrisso

Are Keytruda and Tagrisso the Same Thing?

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Tagrisso (osimertinib) are anti-cancer drugs 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.

Tagrisso is used to treat patients with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have progressed on or after EGFR TKI therapy.

Keytruda is a monoclonal antibody and Tagrisso is a kinase inhibitor.

Side effects of Keytruda and Tagrisso that are similar include fatigue, cough, nausea, itching, rash, decreased appetite, headache, constipation, back pain, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Keytruda that are different from Tagrisso include shortness of breath, loss of skin pigmentation (vitiligo), and joint pain.

Side effects of Tagrisso that are different from Keytruda include dry skin, nail toxicity, inflammation of the mouth and lips, eye disorders, pneumonia, and blood clots.

Keytruda may interact with other drugs.

Tagrisso may interact with macrolide antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, nefazodone, phenytoin, rifampicin, St. John's wWort, fentanyl, cyclosporine, quinidine, ergot alkaloids, and carbamazepine.

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 Tagrisso?

Common side effects of Tagrisso include:

  • diarrhea,
  • rash,
  • dry skin,
  • nail toxicity,
  • nausea,
  • decreased appetite,
  • constipation,
  • inflammation of the mouth and lips,
  • itching,
  • eye disorders,
  • cough,
  • fatigue,
  • back pain,
  • headache,
  • pneumonia, and
  • blood clots.

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 Tagrisso?

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have progressed on or after EGFR TKI therapy.

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 Tagrisso?

Tagrisso may interact with macrolide antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, nefazodone, phenytoin, rifampicin, St. John's Wort, fentanyl, cyclosporine, quinidine, ergot alkaloids, and carbamazepine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tagrisso is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Tagrisso.

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 Tagrisso be Taken?

The dose of Tagrisso is 80 mg orally once daily, with or without food.