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Nivolumab
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Description
Nivolumab is an anticancer medicine which is used to treat various types of cancer such as non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, Hodgkin's disease, etc. It is also used in combination with ipilimumab for treating certain cancers such as kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, and advanced skin cancer. This medicine is usually given when cancer has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nivolumab
Constipation or diarrhea
Hair loss
Headache
Tightness in chest
Trouble breathing
Joint or muscle pain
Weight gain
Dark urine
Trouble sleeping
General feeling of discomfort
Nervousness
Stomach cramps
Depression
Dizziness
Skin rash
Fast heartbeat
Uses of Nivolumab
What is it prescribed for?
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
This medicine is used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer which is the most common type of lung cancer, characterized by symptoms such as chronic cough with or without blood, shortness of breath, pain in back or chest, weight loss, etc.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
This medicine is used for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that originates from the blood cells (lymphocytes) and affects the lymphatic system.
Renal cell carcinoma
This medicine is used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma which is a type of cancer cells that originate from the lining of tubules in the kidney.
Bladder cancer (Urothelial Carcinoma)
This medicine is used for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma, which is a type of bladder cancer that originates from the urothelial cells that line inside of the bladder.
Colorectal Cancer
This medicine is used for the treatment of colorectal cancer that affects the large intestine of the digestive tract
Head and Neck Cancer
This medicine is used in the treatment of head and neck cancer that affects mouth, nose or throat and salivary glands.
Metastatic-melanoma
This medicine is used for the treatment of metastatic melanoma which is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body
Hepatocellular carcinoma
This medicine is used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma which is a type of liver cancer characterized by symptoms such as pain and fluid in the abdomen, weight loss, loss of appetite and yellowing of skin or eyes
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Nivolumab, or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Pneumonitis
This medicine should be used with caution since it may increase the risk of immune-related pneumonitis. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate corrective measures or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Colitis
This medicine should be used with caution since it may increase the risk of immune-related colitis or diarrhea. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate corrective measures or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Infusion related reactions
This medicine has been associated with severe infusion-related reactions, characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, rigors, fluctuations in blood pressure, swelling, etc. The onset of these reactions usually ranges from 30 minutes to 4 hours after starting the first intravenous infusion. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may rarely cause dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any dizziness during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Thalidomide
Lenalidomide
Idelalisib
Pomalidomide
Disease interactions
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
This medicine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from electrolyte abnormalities and kidney diseases. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Infections
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections due to the increased risk of myelosuppression. Initiation of therapy with this medicine in patients with active infections is not recommended. Patients susceptible to infections should be monitored closely during treatment with this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of altered blood glucose levels. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Thyroid disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with thyroid disorders due to the increased risk of altered thyroid hormone levels. Frequent monitoring of thyroid function, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop any signs and symptoms of an infection.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by enhancing your immune system against the growth of cancer cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies
Schedule
Schedule H
Nivolumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:
Nivolumab - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 27 March 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Aug 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.