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Overview: Keytruda Qlex is a medicine that is used to treat many types of cancer. This medicine is given to you as an injection under your skin by a health care provider. This medicine can cause side effects that may be life-threatening. Tell your health care provider about any new or worsening symptoms, and keep all appointments to have your blood checked.

Uses

What is Keytruda Qlex used for?

Keytruda Qlex (pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph) is commonly used to treat certain types of the following types of cancers.

Keytruda Qlex may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Keytruda Qlex work (mechanism of action)?

Keytruda Qlex is a type of medicine called immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works by turning on your immune system, so it can attack cancer cells. 

Keytruda Qlex also contains a protein that allows for this medicine to be given as an injection under your skin. The protein breaks down a different protein called hyaluronan found just beneath your skin for a short period of time. Lowered hyaluronin increases how much of the immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) gets into your body.

How is Keytruda Qlex supplied (dosage forms)?

Keytruda Qlex is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Keytruda Qlex?

Keytruda Qlex is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Keytruda Qlex?

The most common side effects of Keytruda Qlex are listed below. Side effects may vary based on what condition is being treated, what other medicines you are taking or using, and your age. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle, joint, or bone pain

There may be other side effects of Keytruda Qlex that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Keytruda Qlex?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Keytruda Qlex are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions or Injection-related Reactions. Keytruda Qlex may cause allergic reactions or reactions that can be serious when it is given to you. Your injection may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. A specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS may happen. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Tell your health care provider right away or get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms either during or after when you get your injection. 

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever, chills or shaking, or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, feet, ankles, or legs
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Redness or warmth on your face, neck, or upper body
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint or back pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Immune System Reactions. Keytruda Qlex may cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues or organs, causing inflammation. When tissues or organs become inflamed, they may not work as well as they should. These side effects of immunotherapy can lead to serious or even life-threatening problems. You may be able to prevent these problems from getting more serious if you get medical help right away. Keep all appointments to check your blood work. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, even if you are no longer using this medicine. 

  • Inflamed lungs (pneumonitis): Chest pain, shortness of breath, or new or worsening cough
  • Inflamed intestines (colitis): Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, blood or mucus in your stool or black, tarry stools
  • Inflamed liver (hepatitis): Severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain on your right side, yellowish eyes or skin, dark urine (pee), or easy bleeding or bruising
  • Inflamed hormone glands (adrenal insufficiency, thyroiditis): Headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, tiredness, weight gain or loss, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior, peeing more than usual, feeling cold, increased appetite or thirst
  • Inflamed kidneys (nephritis): Peeing less than usual, bloody urine, ankle swelling, or decreased appetite
  • Skin inflammation [Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)]: Skin rash, itching, blistering, or peeling or painful sores in your mouth, nose, throat, or genitals, fever, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes
  • Heart or blood vessel inflammation: Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Inflamed nerves: Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs 
  • Inflamed muscles or joints: Pain, swelling, or stiffness in your muscles or joints
  • Inflamed eye (uveitis): Blurred or double vision, eye pain or redness, sensitivity to light, vision loss
  • Inflamed brain (encephalitis): Stiff neck, balance or memory problems, or confusion
  • Blood disorders: Low red blood cell levels (anemia), easy bruising (thrombocytopenia)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Keytruda Qlex?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Keytruda Qlex.

  • Hyaluronidase
  • Keytruda
  • Keytruda Qlex 
  • Pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Keytruda Qlex.

What should I know about Keytruda Qlex before using it?

Keytruda Qlex will be given to you by a health care provider through an injection under your skin in a hospital, clinic, or infusion center. Your health care provider will tell you how many treatments you will need. 

Pembrolizumab is also available in a form that is given to you by an infusion into a vein (Keytruda). Your health care provider may want to switch between this form and Keytruda Qlex. 

If you have had treatment with Keytruda, tell your health care provider about any side effects that you had. Side effects that happen with Keytruda may happen with Keytruda Qlex.

Tell your health care provider about any new or worsening symptom you may have. Also, keep all appointments to check your blood work. Keytruda Qlex may need to be paused or stopped for certain side effects.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Keytruda Qlex?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Keytruda Qlex is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Pregnancy. Keytruda Qlex can cause harm to an unborn baby. You may need a negative pregnancy test before you can use Keytruda Qlex. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 4 months after your last dose of Keytruda Qlex. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Keytruda Qlex?

For more information about Keytruda Qlex, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.keytruda.com/qlex or call them at 800-672-6372.

 

Interactions

Does Keytruda Qlex interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Keytruda Qlex and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Keytruda Qlex, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. 

Does Keytruda Qlex interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Keytruda Qlex and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Keytruda Qlex?

If you or someone else has used too much Keytruda Qlex, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Keytruda Qlex?

Keytruda Qlex is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Keytruda Qlex as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your Keytruda Qlex dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.