Keytruda vs Opdivo
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Keytruda
Pembrolizumab
Manufactured by Merck
Opdivo
Nivolumab
Manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb
Opdivo costs 13% less per claim than Keytruda ($15,821.00 vs $18,176.00). A generic version of Opdivo is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Keytruda | Opdivo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $18,176.00 | $15,821.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $7.2B | $5.1B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 82,000 | 66,000 |
| Total Claims | 398,000 | 324,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $88,220.00 | $77,667.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +28.6% | +15.8% |
| Generic Available | No | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jun 28, 2028 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Merck | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Condition | Cancer | Cancer |
| Generic Name | Pembrolizumab | Nivolumab |
Keytruda vs Opdivo: What the Data Shows
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (Nivolumab) are both used to treat cancer. Based on Medicare Part D data, Opdivo costs $15,821.00 per claim, which is 13% less than Keytruda at $18,176.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $7.2B on Keytruda and $5.1B on Opdivo. In terms of patient reach, Keytruda serves more beneficiaries (82,000 vs 66,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +28.6% for Keytruda and +15.8% for Opdivo. Keytruda saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases. Opdivo saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Opdivo has a generic available, while Keytruda remains brand-only until its patent expires Jun 28, 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opdivo is cheaper at $15,821.00 per claim, compared to $18,176.00 for Keytruda. That makes Opdivo about 13% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Keytruda and Opdivo are used to treat cancer. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Opdivo has a generic version (Nivolumab) available, which is typically much cheaper. Keytruda is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Jun 28, 2028.
Medicare Part D spent $7.2B on Keytruda covering 82,000 beneficiaries, and $5.1B on Opdivo covering 66,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.