Combining Opdivo and Yervoy is an effective treatment option for certain advanced cancers. You may find it helpful to explore specific details about this drug combination, including its uses, side effects, and cost.
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) are immunotherapy drugs that can be used together for certain types of cancer.
This combination is approved to treat advanced forms of colorectal cancer, melanoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, among other types. (“Advanced” means that the cancer has come back after past treatment or has spread from where it started to other parts of the body.)
Opdivo and Yervoy are given as intravenous (IV) infusions in a clinic, hospital, or infusion center. When they are prescribed together, Opdivo is given first, followed by Yervoy. Each infusion typically lasts about 30 minutes.
Keep reading to learn what to expect during treatment with Opdivo and Yervoy.
Receiving Opdivo and Yervoy together can result in a variety of side effects.
Common mild side effects of this drug combination include fatigue, diarrhea, and skin rash. These symptoms are usually manageable and will ease as your body adjusts to the treatment.
However, more severe side effects may affect your intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, and other organs. These side effects include conditions such as colitis, nephritis, hepatitis, and pneumonitis.
Infusion reactions are another possible side effect of Opdivo and Yervoy. These reactions may occur during or shortly after an infusion and could cause symptoms such as chills, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, or wheezing.
It’s important to be aware of these potential side effects and to inform the healthcare professional who is giving the infusion if you experience them.
A healthcare professional can promptly manage these symptoms and advise on whether it’s safe for you to continue treatment with Opdivo or Yervoy. In some cases, they may adjust the Opdivo dosage or Yervoy dosage to help manage side effects. They may also change the infusion schedule or temporarily pause treatment.
For more details about the side effects of each drug, refer to these articles about Opdivo’s side effects and Yervoy’s side effects.
Studies of Opdivo and Yervoy have shown this drug combination to be effective for certain advanced cancers. Receiving these drugs together may increase life expectancy and enhance the treatment success rate.
For instance, one 2018 study compared the use of Opdivo and Yervoy with the use of a specific targeted cancer therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
After 12 months of treatment, 80% of people who received Opdivo and Yervoy were still living, while 72% of those receiving the other treatment were still living. After 18 months, the survival rates were 75% for people receiving Opdivo and Yervoy and 60% for those receiving the other cancer therapy.
In one 2019 study of advanced melanoma, people who received Opdivo and Yervoy together lived longer than people who received either drug alone. The 5-year survival rates were as follows:
- 52% for people who received Opdivo and Yervoy together
- 44% for people who received Opdivo alone
- 26% for people who received Yervoy alone
The results of these studies suggest that combining Opdivo and Yervoy may improve survival more than other treatments.
The cost of combined treatment with Opdivo and Yervoy will depend on various factors, including the frequency and duration of treatment. However, there are ways to manage these costs.
Many insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of these cancer treatments. Your insurance provider can help you understand your coverage and any related out-of-pocket expenses. Assistance programs, such as Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support, can also help reduce the cost of these treatments.
Your doctor can help address financial concerns and recommend specific resources.
For more information about the costs of each drug, refer to these articles about Opdivo’s cost and Yervoy’s cost.
Below are some common questions and answers to help you better understand treatment with Opdivo and Yervoy.
What are Opdivo and Yervoy used for?
Opdivo and Yervoy are used to treat several types of cancer. Doctors may prescribe these drugs independently, in combination, or along with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
Opdivo and Yervoy are prescribed together to treat advanced forms of the following cancers:
A doctor will prescribe Opdivo and Yervoy together in specific situations. To learn more, talk with your doctor.
How do Opdivo and Yervoy work? And how long does it take the drugs to start working?
Opdivo and Yervoy are immunotherapy drugs. Specifically, they’re checkpoint inhibitors that stimulate your immune system to attack cancer cells. (The way a drug works is called its “mechanism of action.”)
Each drug blocks a different protein found on immune system cells. In doing so, Opdivo and Yervoy enhance your immune system’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells.
The time it takes for Opdivo and Yervoy to start working can vary for each person who receives these drugs. A healthcare professional will order tests during treatment to see how well Opdivo and Yervoy are working to treat a specific cancer.
When used together, Opdivo and Yervoy offer a promising treatment option for various advanced cancers. Understanding how these drugs work and what to expect during treatment can help you make more informed decisions about your cancer treatment options.
It’s important to consult your doctor to personalize the information to your specific situation.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.