Opdivo interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Opdivo interactions with other medications

Currently, Opdivo interactions with other medications haven’t been reported. But this doesn’t mean interactions won’t be discovered later. For example, new medications could be developed which interact with Opdivo.

Before you start treatment with Opdivo, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions with Opdivo that may be discovered later. (To learn whether Opdivo interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Opdivo and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Opdivo interaction with alcohol

There aren’t any known interactions between Opdivo and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Opdivo treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Opdivo side effects. For example, you may experience:

• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• fatigue

In addition, consuming large amounts of alcohol can cause liver damage. Opdivo may also cause liver damage as a side effect. This means that drinking alcohol during Opdivo treatment may increase the risk of liver problems.

If you consume alcohol during Opdivo treatment, these side effects are more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Opdivo treatment, talk with your doctor.

Opdivo and other interactions

Opdivo may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Opdivo.

Opdivo interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Opdivo interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Opdivo. However, that doesn’t mean interactions with herbs won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Opdivo treatment.

Opdivo interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Opdivo. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be reported in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Opdivo.

Opdivo interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with Opdivo. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Opdivo, talk with your doctor.

Opdivo interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Opdivo and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Opdivo interactions with lab tests

Opdivo isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

OPDIVO INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Opdivo. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Opdivo. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Opdivo treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Opdivo and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Opdivo. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Opdivo may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Opdivo include:

• Breathing or lung problem: Treatment with Opdivo can rarely cause lung-related side effects, including pneumonitis (inflammation in the lung). If you have an existing breathing problem, such as asthma, you may be at higher risk for this side effect.
• Immune system condition, such as Crohn‘s disease or lupus: Rarely, treatment with Opdivo can cause side effects that worsen immune system conditions, including Crohn’s disease and lupus. Your doctor can determine whether Opdivo treatment is safe for you.
• Kidney condition: Treatment with Opdivo can rarely cause kidney-related side effects, including nephritis (inflammation in nephrons, which are part of the kidney). If you have an existing kidney condition, tyou may be at higher risk for this side effect.
• Liver condition: Treatment with Opdivo can rarely cause liver-related side effects, including hepatitis (inflammation in the liver). If you have an existing liver condition, such as cirrhosis, you may be at higher risk for this side effect.
• Received an organ or stem cell transplant in the past: Treatment with Opdivo could raise the risk of rejection of the organ or stem cells if you’ve received a transplant in the past. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Opdivo is safe for you.
• Thyroid condition: Rarely, Opdivo can cause hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) as a side effect. If you have an existing thyroid condition, treatment with Opdivo could worsen it.
• Nervous system condition: Treatment with Opdivo may cause or worsen certain nervous system conditions, including myasthenia gravis and Guillan-Barre syndrome. Tell your doctor about any nervous system conditions you may have. They can determine if Opdivo treatment is safe for you.
• Radiation treatment to chest: Opdivo may causepneumonitis. People who have had radiation treatment to the chest have an increased risk of developing this side effect. Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had chest radiation treatment. They can determine whether Opdivo should be part of your treatment plan.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Opdivo or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Opdivo. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better for you.
• Breastfeeding: It’s recommended that you do not breastfeed while using Opdivo and for at least 5 months after the last dose. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Opdivo may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Opdivo. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Opdivo is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before you start Opdivo. They can advise the right treatment plan for you.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Opdivo. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Opdivo label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Opdivo doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your doctor to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor.

You can also help prevent interactions with Opdivo by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

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.