Key takeaways
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are both immunotherapy medications used to treat various types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and liver cancer. They work by helping your immune system attack cancer cells, but they belong to different medication classes. Imfinzi is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor, while Keytruda is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor. Imfinzi is typically given every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the cancer type, and is often used with other treatments like chemotherapy. Keytruda is usually given every 3 or 6 weeks and can be used alone or with other therapies. Both medications are given as intravenous infusions. Imfinzi can cause side effects like fatigue, rash, and hair loss, while Keytruda can lead to other immune-related side effects like diarrhea and rash. Both medications can cause serious immune-related side effects and infusion reactions, so it's important to report any new symptoms to your care team. Imfinzi is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and you should use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after stopping. Keytruda also requires birth control during treatment and for 4 months after stopping.
