Key takeaways:
Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy medication that’s used to treat many different cancers. It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a trained healthcare professional. An under-the-skin version called Opdivo Qvantig (nivolumab / hyaluronidase-nvhy) is also available.
Opdivo can be used alone. But it’s frequently combined with chemotherapy or another immunotherapy medication, Yervoy (ipilimumab), to increase its effectiveness for certain cancers.
Immune-related adverse events are common and can occur up to 1 year (or longer) after finishing Opdivo. Examples include skin inflammation and low thyroid function.
Save on related medications
Opdivo (nivolumab) promises to give people “a choice and a chance against their cancer.” And when it comes to a potentially life-threatening health condition, we all want that for ourselves and our loved ones. But does the tagline hold up?
Opdivo and many other immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment. These immunotherapy medications allow your immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells better. This is different from chemotherapy, which is “nonspecific”, meaning it targets both rapidly dividing cancer cells and healthy cells. Opdivo and other ICIs have increased the amount of time before cancer gets worse, which can help people live longer.
If you’ve never received immunotherapy before, it’s normal to have questions. We’ll discuss seven frequently asked questions about Opdivo, including how long it stays in your system and what it’s typically used for.
1. How long does Opdivo stay in your system?
Opdivo can stick around in your body for 3 to 4 months after your last dose. But certain medication-related risks can extend beyond this time frame.
Opdivo has the potential to cause harm to unborn babies. If you’re planning to get pregnant, you should use effective birth control for at least 5 months after your last Opdivo dose, just to be safe. You also shouldn’t breastfeed during this time.
What’s more, your chance of having side effects from Opdivo lingers for a while — even after you stop treatment. Be on the lookout for side effects for at least 1 year after finishing treatment.
2. What are Opdivo’s common uses?
Opdivo is FDA approved to treat a variety of cancers. It’s often used by itself (monotherapy) and in combination with other treatments. This chart shows Opdivo’s approved uses as of August 2026.
Cancer type | Monotherapy | Combination therapy |
|---|---|---|
Melanoma | ✔ | ✔ |
Non-small cell lung cancer | ✔ | ✔ |
Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) | ✔ | ✔ |
Hodgkin lymphoma | ✔ | ✔ |
Head and neck cancer | ✔ | ✘ |
Bladder cancer | ✔ | ✔ |
Colorectal cancer | ✔ | ✔ |
Liver cancer | ✘ | ✔ |
Esophageal cancer | ✔ | ✔ |
Stomach cancer (including gastroesophageal cancer) | ✘ | ✔ |
Malignant pleural mesothelioma | ✘ | ✔ |
Opdivo also comes as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection called Opdivo Qvantig (nivolumab / hyaluronidase-nvhy). It’s approved to treat many of the same solid tumors in adults as intravenous (IV) Opdivo.
3. How is Opdivo different from Keytruda?
Opdivo and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are both ICIs, so they work in the same way. They also have similar side effects. But a few key differences set them apart.
FDA-approved uses
One difference is their approved uses. Keytruda has a few more indications than Opdivo. In addition to most of the above uses, Keytruda is also approved to treat:
B-cell lymphoma
Cervical cancer
Biliary tract cancer
Merkel cell carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer)
Cancers with specific genetic mutations such as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR), and high tumor mutational burden (TMB-high)
Opdivo is also approved for people with colorectal cancer that have MSI-H/dMMR genetic mutations. But Keytruda is approved for more types of cancers with these genetic changes.
Medication combinations
Opdivo and Keytruda are often combined with chemotherapy. But they’re also approved in combination with other medications.
Keytruda is approved for use in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Lenvima (lenvatinib) and Inlyta (axitinib). TKIs interfere with specific signals that drive cancer cell growth.
Opdivo is approved for use in combination with a TKI called Cabometyx (cabozantinib). It’s also approved in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab), another ICI. Keytruda isn’t approved in combination with other ICIs.
Dosage and frequency
Opdivo and Keytruda are both given as infusions into a vein. But they differ in their dosages and how often they’re given.
In most cases, Opdivo is given at a dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks, 360 mg every 3 weeks, or 480 mg every 4 weeks. Keytruda is often given at a dose of 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks. Both medications also have weight-based dosage options for specific situations.
4. Is Opdivo always combined with Yervoy?
No. Advertisements may make it seem as though Opdivo and Yervoy are always given together, but this isn’t the case. Receiving combination treatment with Opdivo and Yervoy is most often recommended when treating melanoma, liver, and kidney cancers, among others.
Like Opdivo, Yervoy helps your body locate and destroy cancer cells. Combining Opdivo and Yervoy increases treatment effectiveness in certain situations. But the combination can also increase the chance of side effects. Your healthcare team will often weigh the risk of side effects against the benefits of this combination.
5. Can you administer Opdivo yourself?
No. You can’t administer Opdivo yourself. Opdivo is an infusion you receive through your vein. So it must be administered by a trained healthcare professional.
Opdivo Qvantig is a newer form of Opdivo that’s injected under the skin. But it’s still only administered by a healthcare professional.
Where can you receive Opdivo infusions?
Opdivo is typically given in a clinic, infusion center, or hospital. This is because in rare cases, Opdivo can cause infusion-related reactions. Symptoms can include itching, hives, and feeling sweaty or flushed. Reactions can also be more severe, with symptoms such as trouble breathing, facial swelling, and low blood pressure. Receiving Opdivo in the presence of a healthcare professional helps ensure they can take swift action if an infusion or injection-related reaction occurs.
6. How do you know if Opdivo is working?
Your cancer specialist will monitor you regularly during treatment to see how well Opdivo is working. Specific types of monitoring include blood tests, physical exams, and imaging scans. Scans are currently the best way to tell if your cancer is improving, staying the same, or getting worse.
Scientists are also studying whether the appearance of side effects caused by immunotherapy is connected with a better response. Some studies suggest a connection, but we need more information to confirm if this is true.
7. What are the most common side effects of Opdivo?
Opdivo allows your immune system to attack cancer cells more efficiently. But it can sometimes miss the mark and attack healthy cells, too. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are inflammation-related side effects caused by immunotherapy.
IrAEs are specific to certain parts of the body. The most common include:
Skin inflammation (dermatitis)
Lung inflammation (pneumonitis)
Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
Adrenal insufficiency (decreased ability to make important hormones, such as cortisol)
Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
Gut inflammation (colitis)
IrAEs range in severity, but most can be managed with early treatment. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are one notable treatment option. If an irAE is more severe, a medication such as Remicade (infliximab) can be used.
Other Opdivo side effects
IrAEs aside, about 1 in 5 people who receive Opdivo as a stand-alone treatment may experience the following side effects:
Fatigue or weakness
Rash
Itching
Muscle and bone pain
Joint aches
Nausea or vomiting
Decreased appetite
Stomach pain
Cough
Shortness of breath
Back pain
Fever
It’s important to know that side effects can vary based on your cancer type and whether Opdivo is combined with other cancer treatments. Stay in touch with your cancer specialist and let them know about any side effects that are bothersome or don’t seem to be getting better.
How to save on Opdivo infusions
Opdivo is only available as a reference (“brand-name”) medication. But GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Opdivo’s price is as little as $0 per infusion if you use the manufacturer’s copay assistance program.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Opdivo’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
Immunotherapy is a more targeted treatment than chemotherapy. So it doesn’t typically cause hair loss, mouth sores, and certain other side effects that are often associated with chemotherapy. But both types of treatment have side effects to know about. And how they affect you can vary depending on the type of cancer you’re treating and whether you’re receiving more than one treatment at a time. Your cancer care team can help you choose the best treatment option for your needs.
Yes, you can share a bathroom with someone receiving immunotherapy, if necessary. There are some extra steps you should take, though, to help prevent contact with their body fluids. This can include having them close the lid and flush twice after using the restroom for 2 to 3 days after each treatment. Ask your cancer care team for more information about home safety when sharing a living space with someone receiving immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is a more targeted treatment than chemotherapy. So it doesn’t typically cause hair loss, mouth sores, and certain other side effects that are often associated with chemotherapy. But both types of treatment have side effects to know about. And how they affect you can vary depending on the type of cancer you’re treating and whether you’re receiving more than one treatment at a time. Your cancer care team can help you choose the best treatment option for your needs.
Yes, you can share a bathroom with someone receiving immunotherapy, if necessary. There are some extra steps you should take, though, to help prevent contact with their body fluids. This can include having them close the lid and flush twice after using the restroom for 2 to 3 days after each treatment. Ask your cancer care team for more information about home safety when sharing a living space with someone receiving immunotherapy.
The bottom line
Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy medication that treats many different cancers. It’s given as an infusion in a vein or an under-the-skin injection by a trained healthcare professional. Opdivo stays in your system for about 3 to 4 months after your last dose. But certain side effects can occur for 1 year or longer after finishing treatment.
You can receive Opdivo alone, but it’s often combined with Yervoy (ipilimumab) or chemotherapy to increase effectiveness for certain cancers. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are common and include skin inflammation, low thyroid function, and colitis, among others.
Why trust our experts?
References
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