What Are Opdivo and Yervoy — and Why Are They Taken Together?
Opdivo and Yervoy treat certain kinds of lung cancer, skin cancer, and more. Learn more about how they’re used, their side effects, and more.
Opdivo
Used for Bladder Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Renal Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stomach Cancer
Used for Bladder Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Renal Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stomach Cancer
Opdivo (nivolumab) is a type of immunotherapy medication used to treat many types of cancer. They can include melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, and others. Opdivo (nivolumab) is given as infusion through the vein (IV) every few weeks at an infusion center. This medication can cause side effects, like rash, diarrhea, and breathing problems. Depending on the cancer treated, Opdivo (nivolumab) can be used by itself or with other therapies.
What is Opdivo (nivolumab)?
What is Opdivo (nivolumab) used for?
Certain types of:
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs)
- Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Head and neck cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Stomach cancer
How Opdivo (nivolumab) works
Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy medication. In particular, it's called a programmed death-1 inhibitor, or PD-1 inhibitor. It's also called a checkpoint inhibitor.
Opdivo (nivolumab) works by blocking the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway. Some cancer cells use the PD-1 pathway to hide from the immune system. When this happens, the immune system can't find and destroy the cancer cells as well. And so, the cancer can grow.
By blocking the PD-1 pathway, Opdivo (nivolumab) helps the immune system find cancer cells and kill them better. This helps stop the cancer from growing.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Opdivo |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | PD-1 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Opdivo (nivolumab) essentials
Side effects of Opdivo (nivolumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness (59%)
- Higher blood sugar levels (46%)
- Muscle or bone pain (42%)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count; 41%)
- Low white blood cell count (41%)
- Rash (40%)
- Diarrhea (36%)
- Nausea (30%)
- Higher liver enzyme levels (up to 29%)
- Cough (28%)
- Lower appetite (22%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (22%)
- Vomiting (20%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Patches of lighter skin color (vitiligo)
- Joint pain
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid hormone changes
- Low calcium levels
- Low sodium levels
Note: Side effects came from people with melanoma who took Opdivo (nivolumab) alone. Side effects might be different for people with other cancers, those taking it with other treatments, and children.
Opdivo (nivolumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious immune-related side effects: rash, blisters, skin peeling, diarrhea, trouble breathing, coughing, chest pain, severe stomach pain, mucus or blood in stool
- Serious reaction during infusion: chills, fever, itching, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing
When do Opdivo (nivolumab) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Rash or itchiness
Diarrhea
Cough
Risk of thyroid problems
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Opdivo (nivolumab) side effects
The following Opdivo (nivolumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge with blurry or decreased vision
- Heart muscle inflammation—unusual weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands
- Hormone gland problems—headache, sensitivity to light, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, excessive sweating, constipation, hair loss, increased thirst or amount of urine, tremors or shaking, irritability
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Kidney injury (glomerulonephritis)—decrease in the amount of urine, red or dark brown urine, foamy or bubbly urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Skin rash
Pros and cons of Opdivo (nivolumab)
Pros
- Less common to have nausea, vomiting, and hair loss than traditional chemotherapy
- Recommended first-choice treatment for certain people with melanoma and esophageal cancer
- Given every few weeks
Cons
- Given as an infusion through the vein that takes at least 30 minutes
- Might cause immune-related side effects like diarrhea, rash, and lung problems
- Might need to take breaks from treatment and take a steroid to manage some side effects
Pharmacist tips for Opdivo (nivolumab)
- Put your Opdivo (nivolumab) infusion appointments into your calendar. Depending on your cancer and treatment plan, your infusions will be once every few weeks. If you miss an appointment, call the clinic as soon as possible to reschedule.
- Each Opdivo (nivolumab) infusion takes about 30 minutes. But your visit might be longer because you'll need time to get settled. Plan extra time for your appointments, and bring something to do, like a book or an electronic device.
- Get your lab tests done on time while taking Opdivo (nivolumab). These tests help your oncology care team check for side effects you might not notice very easily. These side effects can include liver, kidney, or thyroid problems.
- Tell your oncology care team right away if you have any immune-related side effects while taking Opdivo (nivolumab). These can include rash, itching, trouble breathing, coughing, or diarrhea. You might need extra medical care to help manage these symptoms.
- Don’t take any over-the-counter (OTC) medications for Opdivo (nivolumab) side effects without talking to your oncology care team first. OTC medications, like loperamide (Imodium A-D) for diarrhea, might not be enough to help. You might need a steroid or other supportive treatments to help you feel better.
- If you need to take a steroid for a few weeks to help with side effects, be sure to follow your prescriber's directions. Don't stop taking it suddenly because it could cause stomach cramps and body aches. Your prescriber will help you slowly lower the dose so you can stop the steroid safely.
- It's not common, but some people might have a reaction during their Opdivo (nivolumab) infusion. Tell your nurse right away if you have chills, flushing, trouble breathing, or itching. Your care team can treat the reaction quickly and slow the infusion if needed.
- If you can get pregnant, use reliable birth control while taking Opdivo (nivolumab). Keep using birth control for 5 months after your last infusion of the medication. Opdivo (nivolumab) can harm an unborn baby. Tell your oncology care team right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
- Don’t breastfeed while taking Opdivo (nivolumab) and for 5 months after your last infusion. It's not known if the medication can pass into breast milk. But if it can, there's a potential risk that it can cause side effects in your baby. Talk to your oncologist or a lactation consultant about safer feeding options.
More on Opdivo (nivolumab) tips
Risks and warnings for Opdivo (nivolumab)
Opdivo (nivolumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Immune-related side effects
Immunotherapy medications such as Opdivo (nivolumab) can cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These side effects happen when your immune system becomes too active. It causes your immune system to start attacking healthy cells, not just cancer cells.
These side effects can happen anywhere in your body and at any time while you're taking Opdivo (nivolumab). They can be mild or very serious.
Some side effects show up on your blood test results. These include liver or kidney problems. That's why it's important to get your blood work done on time, even if you feel fine. This helps your care team look for side effects that you might not notice on your own.
Other side effects can cause symptoms you can feel. Examples include diarrhea, rash, and trouble breathing. Tell your care team right away if you notice these symptoms or anything unusual. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you might need to stop Opdivo (nivolumab) for a while and take a steroid to help you feel better.
Infusion-related reactions
Some people taking Opdivo (nivolumab) can have a reaction during the infusion. Most reactions are mild or moderate. But in rare cases, they can be severe or life-threatening.
The nurse will watch for these reactions while you're getting your infusion. Tell them right away if you start feeling itchy, warm, or nauseous during your infusion. Also let them know if you feel your heart racing or have trouble breathing.
Usually, slowing or pausing the infusion can help manage these infusion reactions so you can keep taking Opdivo (nivolumab). But if the reaction is severe, you might need to stop the medication altogether.
Complications from stem cell transplants
- Risk factors: People who’ve had a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant
Some people who’ve taken immunotherapy medications like Opdivo (nivolumab) and had a stem cell transplant can have serious problems. This can include liver damage called veno-occlusive disease (VOD). It can also lead to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Before starting Opdivo (nivolumab), tell your oncology care team if you’ve had a stem cell transplant before. Also let them know if you have one planned at any time after you're done with Opdivo (nivolumab). Your care team will check on you regularly for any signs of these problems.
Harm to an unborn baby
- Risk factors: Pregnancy
Based on animal studies and the way Opdivo (nivolumab) works, this medication might harm an unborn baby when it’s given during pregnancy.
If you can get pregnant, your oncologist might ask you to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. This double checks you're not pregnant before starting Opdivo (nivolumab).
Then once you start Opdivo (nivolumab), use effective birth control if you're having sex. Keep using birth control for 5 more months after your last dose. Tell your care team right away if you become pregnant at any time during treatment.
Opdivo (nivolumab) dosage
Typical dosage for Opdivo (nivolumab)
Opdivo (nivolumab) is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This means it's given as an infusion through a vein.
Your dose depends on the type of cancer you have and sometimes your weight. Your oncologist will determine the dose for you.
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When Opdivo (nivolumab) is given by itself
- Most times: The typical dose is 240 mg IV every 2 weeks, or 480 mg IV every 4 weeks.
- For children 12 years and older weighing less than 88 lbs (melanoma or colorectal cancer only): The dose is based on weight. The typical dose is 3 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks, or 6 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks.
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When Opdivo (nivolumab) is given with other cancer therapies
- Your Opdivo (nivolumab) dose depends on your personal treatment plan and your other cancer medications. For example, your dose might be 360 mg, 1 mg/kg, or 3 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks when given with Yervoy (ipilimumab).
What are alternatives to Opdivo (nivolumab)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Opdivo (nivolumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Opdivo (nivolumab) images
