How it works

For complete information, read the package insert on FASS: Opdivo , Yervoy

For those who are going to receive treatment with immunotherapy

Here, nurse Mia Delin tells you who will be receiving Opdivo or Opdivo in combination with Yervoy about the immune system and how immunotherapy works, what side effects immunotherapy can cause, how the treatment is done, and what is important for you to pay attention to.

A film about treatment with Opdivo or Opdivo in combination with Yervoy

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Information for those treated with Opdivo or Opdivo in combination with Yervoy

Here you will find information about how the treatment works, both before and during the treatment. Further down the page you will find a film about how the immune system and immunotherapy work, what side effects immunotherapy can cause, how the treatment works and what is important for you to pay attention to.

Before treatment

Before treatment, your doctor will check your general health, and you will be asked to provide blood samples.

Your doctor will also review whether:

you have an autoimmune disease (a condition where the body attacks its own cells)
you have melanoma in your eye
you have previously received Yervoy and had serious side effects from this medicine your cancer has spread to the brain
you have previously had inflammation of the lungs
you are taking or have recently taken other medicines
you have undergone a transplant

Tell your doctor if you are or think you may be pregnant, if you are planning to have a baby or if you are breast-feeding. It is important to protect yourself from pregnancy during treatment and for some time after treatment.

During treatment

Opdivo will be given to you either as an infusion (drip) into your blood or as a subcutaneous injection under your skin. The infusion usually takes 30-60 minutes while the injection (syringe) takes 3-5 minutes. Yervoy is given as an infusion (drip) over 30 minutes.

On the day of your treatment you may experience a general feeling of illness. Your treating doctor and nurse can advise you on how this can be treated.

Your doctor will continue to give you your treatment as long as you benefit from it or until you no longer tolerate it. Your doctor will evaluate the treatment, for example by X-ray. You will also have blood tests during your treatment.

Because this treatment works by activating your immune system, it can cause side effects caused by your immune system becoming overactive and starting to attack healthy cells. It is important to tell your treating doctor or nurse early if you experience any symptoms or signs of side effects.

You can read more about this here.

Side effects and what to do if you suspect a side effect

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Because this treatment works by activating your immune system, it can cause side effects caused by your immune system becoming more active and starting to attack healthy cells. It is important to contact your treating doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any symptoms or signs of side effects.