Class Name(s):

• 10:00 Antineoplastic Agents

Pronunciation:

• (nye vol' ue mab)

Brand Name(s):

• Opdivo^®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Nivolumab injection is used alone or in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy^®) to treat certain types of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. It is also used alone to prevent melanoma from returning after surgery. Nivolumab injection is also used alone or in combination with ipilimumab and/or other chemotherapy medications to treat certain types of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC), renal cell cancer (a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys), Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease), head and neck cancer, urothelial cancer (cancer of the lining of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract), colorectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; a type of liver cancer), esophageal cancer (cancer of the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) or gastroesophageal junction cancer (cancer located in the area where the stomach meets the esophagus), and malignant pleural mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the inside lining of the lungs and chest cavity). Nivolumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by helping your immune system to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Your doctor will review your specific type of cancer and past treatment history and other available treatments to determine if nivolumab is right for you.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Nivolumab comes as a liquid to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. When nivolumab is given alone, it is usually given once every 2 or 4 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment. When nivolumab is given in combination with ipilimumab or other chemotherapy medications, it is usually given once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment. Your doctor will decide how often you are to receive nivolumab based on your condition and your body's response to the medication.

Nivolumab may cause serious or life-threatening reactions during an infusion. A doctor or nurse will watch you closely while you are receiving the infusion and shortly after the infusion to be sure you are not having a serious reaction to the medication. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms that may occur during the infusion: chills or shaking, itching, rash, flushing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fever, back or neck pain, and feeling faint.

Your doctor may slow down your infusion, delay it, or stop your treatment with nivolumab injection, or treat you with additional medications depending on your response to the medication and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with nivolumab injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Are there OTHER USES for this medication?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving nivolumab injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nivolumab, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in nivolumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic) or have ever had an organ transplant or received radiation therapy to your chest. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an autoimmune disease (condition in which the immune system attacks a healthy part of the body) such as Crohn's disease (condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis (condition that causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), or lupus (condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys); any condition that affects your nervous system such as myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) or Guillain-Barre syndrome (weakness, tingling, and possible paralysis due to sudden nerve damage); any type of lung disease or breathing problems; or thyroid, kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you receive nivolumab. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving nivolumab injection. You should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with nivolumab injection and for at least 5 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while receiving nivolumab injection, call your doctor immediately. Nivolumab injection may harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while receiving nivolumab injection and for 5 months after your final dose.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

If you miss an appointment to receive nivolumab injection, call your doctor as soon as possible.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Nivolumab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• joint, jaw, or bone pain
• muscle pain or weakness
• dry, cracked, scaly skin
• redness, swelling, or pain on the palms of your hand or soles of your feet
• mouth sores
• dry eyes or mouth
• change in sense of taste

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the HOW section, tell your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• shortness of breath
• new or worsening cough
• coughing up blood
• chest pain
• diarrhea; stomach area pain or tenderness; or stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or contain blood
• tiredness or weakness
• feeling cold
• deepening of voice or hoarseness
• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• increased sweating
• changes in weight (gain or loss)
• changes in mood or behavior (decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness)
• pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• headaches, including those that are unusual or will not go away
• confusion
• fever
• hair loss
• itching, rash, hives, or blisters on your skin
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness
• dizziness or fainting
• yellowing of skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, loss of appetite, decreased energy, or pain on right side of stomach area
• increased thirst or appetite
• increased urination
• swelling of face, arms, legs, feet or ankles
• decreased urination, blood in urine, or loss of appetite
• changes in vision, including sensitivity to light
• breath that smells fruity
• painful sores in mouth, nose, throat, or genital area
• unusual bruising or bleeding

Nivolumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to nivolumab injection. For some conditions, your doctor will order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with nivolumab.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Last Reviewed: January 15, 2025.