Dosage for Keytruda may vary based on the condition it’s being used to treat. The typical starting dose is 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks. Your doctor may adjust your dosage.
Keytruda is prescribed for adults and some children to treat certain kinds of cancer, including:
- certain skin cancers:
- certain cancers of the urinary system:
- certain lymphomas:
- classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
- certain cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) system:
- certain cancers of the female* reproductive system:
- triple-negative breast cancer
- non-small cell lung cancer
- other solid tumors with certain markers (laboratory findings)
The active ingredient in Keytruda is pembrolizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Keytruda belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. It comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an IV infusion (an injection into a vein over time).
This article describes the dosages of Keytruda, as well as its strength and how it’s given. To learn more about Keytruda, including its uses and side effects, see this in-depth Keytruda article.
* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose of Keytruda and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Keytruda. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.
Keytruda form
Keytruda comes as a liquid solution that a healthcare professional gives as an intravenous (IV) infusion. An IV infusion is an injection into your vein over time.
Keytruda strength
Keytruda comes in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg) per 4 milliliters (mL) in a single-dose vial.
Your doctor will start you on a dosing schedule that’s recommended to treat your type of cancer. Typically, you’ll receive infusions of either 200 mg of Keytruda every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks. Your doctor will tell you how many doses you can expect to receive.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.
Dosage for certain cancers in adults
The table below lists typical Keytruda dosing schedules for adults. You may receive Keytruda treatment alone or with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. This table doesn’t include all types of cancer that can be treated with Keytruda.
| Type of cancer | Dose every 3 weeks | Dose every 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| certain types of skin cancer, including: • melanoma • squamous cell cancer • Merkel cell cancer | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| certain cancers of the urinary system, including: • bladder cancer • kidney cancer* | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| certain types of lymphoma, including: • classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma • certain mediastinal tumors | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| certain cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including: • certain types of colon cancer • stomach cancer • esophageal cancer • liver cancer | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| certain cancers of the female† reproductive system, including: • cervical cancer • uterine cancer* | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| triple-negative breast cancer | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| non-small cell lung cancer | 200 mg | 400 mg |
* May be given with other cancer treatments.
† In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Keytruda is used to treat certain types of cancer in some children. It’s prescribed for children of different age ranges depending on the type of cancer being treated.
For children, Keytruda dosing is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). Doses are measured in milligrams of the drug per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg).
The table below lists some of the typical dosing schedules for children receiving Keytruda.
| Type of cancer | Dose every 3 weeks |
|---|---|
| melanoma | 2 mg/kg |
| lymphoma | 2 mg/kg |
| Merkel cell cancer | 2 mg/kg |
| certain other solid tumors | 2 mg/kg |
For more information about Keytruda’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Keytruda is administered by a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional. You’ll typically receive the drug in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or care center.
Keytruda comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. A healthcare professional will give you the infusion slowly over 30 minutes or more. You’ll receive infusions every 3 to 6 weeks.
How long do you get Keytruda infusions?
Keytruda is usually prescribed for up to 2 years of treatment. It may be prescribed a bit longer for certain types of cancer.
How long you’ll receive Keytruda infusions depends on how your cancer responds to the drug. It can also depend on whether you experience side effects from Keytruda.
Your doctor will determine your individual treatment plan, including how long you’ll receive Keytruda treatment.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss your appointment to receive Keytruda, call your doctor’s office to reschedule.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
