Uses
Ipilimumab injection is used:
- to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer) in adults and children 12 years of age and older that cannot be treated with surgery or that has spread to other parts of the body.
- to help prevent melanoma from coming back after surgery to remove it and any affected lymph nodes.
- in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC; a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys).
- in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat certain types of colorectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine) in adults and children 12 years of age and older that has spread to other parts of the body and has worsened after treatment with other chemotherapy medications.
- in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; a type of liver cancer) in people who were previously treated with sorafenib (Nexafar).
- in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) to a certain type of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC) in adults that has spread to other parts of the body.
- in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) and platinum chemotherapy to treat a certain type of NSCLC that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body.
- Ipilimumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by helping the body to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Ipilimumab Injection
Ipilimumab may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- joint pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment.
- decreased urination, blood in urine, swelling of feet, ankles, or lower legs, or loss of appetite
- diarrhea or severe stomach pain
- cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath
- tiredness, confusion, memory problems, hallucinations, seizures, or stiff neck
- feeling tired, increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, or weight loss
- rapid heartbeat, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, increased appetite, or sweating
- fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, muscle ache and weakness, heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods, thinning hair, or depression
- Ipilimumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving ipilimumab injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ipilimumab injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ipilimumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what 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 ever had an organ transplant, liver disease, or if your liver has been damaged by a medication or an illness. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an autoimmune disease (a condition in which the immune system attacks a healthy part of the body) such as Crohn’s disease (a condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), lupus (a condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys), or sarcoidosis (a condition in which clumps of abnormal cells grow in various parts of the body including the lungs, skin, and eyes).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving ipilimumab injection. You should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with ipilimumab injection and for 3 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while receiving ipilimumab injection, call your doctor immediately. Ipilimumab injection may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while receiving ipilimumab injection and for 3 months after your final dose.
Dosage Of Ipilimumab Injection
Ipilimumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. When ipilimumab is given to treat melanoma, it is usually given over 90 minutes once every 3 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment. When ipilimumab is given with nivolumab to treat renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, or colorectal cancer, it is usually given over 30 minutes once every 3 weeks for up to 4 doses. When ipilimumab is given with nivolumab or with nivolumab and platinum chemotherapy to treat NSCLC, it is usually given over 30 minutes once every 6 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment.
Ipilimumab injection 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, or feeling faint.
Your doctor may slow down your infusion, delay, or stop your treatment with ipilimumab 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.
Other
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about ipilimumab 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 ipilimumab.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
