Compare Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Tecentriq (atezolizumab) are both immunotherapy medications used to treat various types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer and liver cancer. They work by activating your immune system to attack cancer cells. However, they belong to different classes. Keytruda is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway inhibitor, while Tecentriq is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. Keytruda is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 or 6 weeks, depending on the dose, while Tecentriq is administered every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Both medications can cause immune-related side effects like rash, diarrhea, and trouble breathing, but the frequency and severity can vary. Both medications require careful monitoring for side effects, and you might need to take a break from treatment or use corticosteroids to manage them. Neither medication is available in generic form, and both are given by IV infusion by a healthcare professional.
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab)Tecentriq (atezolizumab)
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab)Tecentriq (atezolizumab)
Summary of Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Summary for PD-1 inhibitorPrescription onlyKeytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immunotherapy medication. It helps treat many different kinds of cancer. This can include lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. It works as a PD-1 inhibitor to turn on your immune system and help it attack the cancer better. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is given as an infusion through the vein at a medical center or clinic. It's given either every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Side effects can include tiredness, diarrhea, rash, and trouble breathing. Your cancer treatment might be just Keytruda (pembrolizumab), or it might be given with other cancer therapies.
Summary for PD-L1 inhibitorPrescription onlyTecentriq (atezolizumab) is an immunotherapy medication that’s used to treat several different types of cancer, like lung cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma. It turns on your immune system to fight cancer. But this can sometimes cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, and lung problems that might need temporary treatment with corticosteroids. Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is given through the vein (intravenously, IV) at an infusion center or provider’s office.
Indications of Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Indications forCertain types of:
•Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)•Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)•Endometrial carcinoma (uterine cancer)•Squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)•Cancers with high tumor mutation burden (TMB-H), high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR)Indications for•Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)•Early-stage cancer that’s had surgery and chemotherapy, given by itself•Cancer that has spread (metastatic), given by itself or with chemotherapy•Advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC), given with chemotherapy•Certain liver cancers that can’t be surgically removed or has spread, given with Avastin (bevacizumab)•Advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS)Pros and Cons of Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Pros and Const for PD-1 inhibitorPros•Recommended first-choice treatment for many types of cancers under certain situations•Given every 3 or 6 weeks, depending on the treatment plan•Less likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and hair loss than traditional chemotherapyCons•Given as an injection through the vein•Might cause immune-related side effects like diarrhea, rash, and lung problems•Might need to take a break from treatment and take a corticosteroid to manage some side effectsPros and Const for PD-L1 inhibitorPros•Doesn’t cause side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and hair loss, that are common with traditional chemotherapy•Uses your body’s own immune system to fight cancerCons•Might cause immune-related side effects like diarrhea, rash, and lung problems•Might require treatment breaks and a corticosteroid to manage side effects•Given through an IV, which requires using a needleCommon Side Effects of Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Common Side Effects for•High blood sugar (52%)•Anemia (43%)•Higher liver enzyme levels (up to 33%)•Low sodium levels (31%)•Low white blood cell count (30%)•Low calcium levels (25%)•Tiredness (25%)•High potassium levels (23%)•Low phosphate levels (20%)•Lower appetite (17%)•Trouble breathing (17%)•Cough (16%)•Rash (15%)•Diarrhea (12%)•Nausea (12%)•Constipation (12%)Common Side Effects for•Low red blood cells (anemia; up to 69%)•Other abnormal lab test results (up to 48%)•Low white blood cells (up to 49%)•Tiredness (up to 44%)•Higher liver enzyme levels in blood (up to 38%)•Cough (up to 26%)•Lower appetite (up to 23%)•Trouble breathing (up to 22%)•Muscle pain (up to 20%)•Nausea (up to 18%)Warnings of Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
Common Side Effects for•Immune-related side effects•Infusion-related reactions•Complications from stem cell transplants•Harm to an unborn babyCommon Side Effects for•Immune-related side effects•Infusion reactions•Stem cell transplant complications•Harm to unborn babyPrices with our coupons for Keytruda vs. Tecentriq
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