What are the possible side effects of pembrolizumab?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, light-headed, itchy, hot, sweaty, chilled, or have back pain or trouble breathing.
Pembrolizumab strengthens your immune system to help your body fight against cancer cells. This may cause the immune system to attack normal healthy tissues or organs. When this happens, you may develop serious or life-threatening medical problems.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- new or worsening cough, chest pain, shortness of breath;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
- sores in your mouth, throat, or nose, or on your genital area;
- severe headache, confusion, eye pain, vision problems (your eyes may be more sensitive to light);
- numbness, tingling, burning pain, redness, rash, or blisters on your hands or feet;
- fever, swollen glands, neck stiffness;
- diarrhea or increased stools, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;
- kidney problems --swelling in your ankles, blood in your urine, little or no urination;
- liver problems --loss of appetite, right-sided stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- transplant rejection --mouth sores, stomach pain, feeling sick or uneasy, rash, pain or swelling near your transplanted organ; or
- signs of a hormonal disorder --frequent or unusual headaches, dizziness, feeling very tired, mood or behavior changes, hoarse or deepened voice, increased hunger or thirst, increased urination, constipation, hair loss, sweating, feeling cold, weight gain, or weight loss.
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects (some are more likely with combination chemotherapy) may include:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation;
- low sodium levels, abnormal liver or thyroid function tests;
- fever, feeling weak or tired;
- cough, hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
- itching, rash, hair loss;
- increased blood pressure;
- pain in your muscles, bones, or joints; or
- soreness in or around your mouth, nose, eyes, throat, or vagina.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.