Key takeaways
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) are both medications used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. They belong to the same drug class, known as programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway inhibitors, which are a type of immunotherapy. Both medications work by blocking the PD-1 pathway, helping your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. However, there are some differences between them. Keytruda is FDA-approved for a wider range of cancers compared to Opdivo. Keytruda is typically given as an intravenous infusion every 3 or 6 weeks, while Opdivo is usually administered every 2 or 4 weeks. Both medications can cause immune-related side effects like rash, diarrhea, and trouble breathing, but the frequency and severity of these side effects can vary. Additionally, Opdivo can be used in combination with another immunotherapy medication, Yervoy (ipilimumab), for certain cancers, whereas Keytruda is not typically combined with other immune checkpoint inhibitors.
