Compare Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Libtayo (cemiplimab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are both programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway inhibitors used to treat certain types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and squamous cell skin carcinoma. They work by helping your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. However, they have some differences. Libtayo is specifically approved for certain skin cancers and NSCLC, while Keytruda is approved for a wider range of cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, and more. Libtayo is given as a 350 mg intravenous (IV) infusion every three weeks, whereas Keytruda can be given as either a 200 mg IV infusion every three weeks or a 400 mg IV infusion every six weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Both medications can cause immune-related side effects like rash, diarrhea, and trouble breathing. Neither medication is available as a generic. It's important to follow your prescriber's instructions and report any side effects you experience.
- Libtayo (cemiplimab)Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
- Libtayo (cemiplimab)Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
Summary of Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Summary for PD-1 inhibitorPrescription onlyLibtayo (cemiplimab or cemiplimab-rwlc) is an immunotherapy medication that’s used to treat certain types of skin cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It turns on your immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. But as a result, it can sometimes cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, and lung problems, which might require special treatment with corticosteroids. Libtayo (cemiplimab) is given through the vein (intravenously, IV) at a provider’s office or infusion center once every three weeks.
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.
Indications of Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Indications for•Certain skin cancers
•Basal cell carcinoma that has spread and has been treated with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, if eligible•Certain non-small cell lung cancers that have spread
•Given together with chemotherapy, or•Given alone for cancers with high PD-L1 expressionIndications 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)Pros and Cons of Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Pros and Const for PD-1 inhibitorPros•Doesn’t cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, or other side effects commonly seen with traditional chemotherapy•Is given every three weeks as an infusion that only takes 30 minutes each time, so it’s convenientCons•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 needlePros 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 effectsCommon Side Effects of Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Common Side Effects for•Tiredness (up to 50%)•Rash (up to 34%)•Muscle or joint pain (up to 36%)•Diarrhea (up to 33%)•Itching (up to 22%)•Nausea (up to 21%)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%)Warnings of Libtayo vs. Keytruda
Common Side Effects for•Immune-related side effects•Infusion reactions•Stem cell transplant complications•Harm to unborn babyCommon Side Effects for•Immune-related side effects•Infusion-related reactions•Complications from stem cell transplants•Harm to an unborn babyPrices with our coupons for Libtayo vs. Keytruda
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