Opdivo Injection 40ml

Product Description

Product Name: Opdivo Injection 40ml

Product Form: Injection

Pack Size: 40ml

Manufactured By: Bristol Myers Squibb

Used For:

Nivolumab is used to treat several types of cancer, often as part of a combination therapy with other medications. Some of the cancers it is used to treat include:

1. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):

   • Used for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, often when other treatments have failed. Nivolumab can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents.

2. Melanoma:

   • For advanced melanoma, nivolumab is used either alone or in combination with ipilimumab (another immunotherapy drug) to improve survival rates and reduce the risk of recurrence.

3. Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC):

   • Nivolumab is used in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma), often in combination with ipilimumab or other therapies.

4. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC):

   • For advanced head and neck cancer, nivolumab is used in patients whose cancer has spread or recurred after previous treatment.

5. Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma:

   • Nivolumab is used to treat relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma in patients who have received prior treatments.

6. Urothelial Carcinoma:

   • Nivolumab is used for advanced bladder cancer or urothelial carcinoma that has spread or recurred after other treatments.

7. Other Cancers:

   • It is also used for other cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), esophageal cancer, and more, depending on the specific treatment protocols.

Side Effects:

1. Common Side Effects:

   • Fatigue
   • Rash
   • Nausea
   • Diarrhea
   • Loss of appetite
   • Joint pain
   • Cough
   • Shortness of breath
   • Fever

2. Serious Side Effects:

   • Immune-related side effects: Since nivolumab boosts the immune system, it can cause the immune system to attack normal, healthy cells, leading to inflammation and damage in various organs. Common organs affected include:
     • Lungs (pneumonitis)
     • Liver (hepatitis)
     • Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
     • Endocrine glands (e.g., thyroiditis, adrenalitis, diabetes)
     • Skin (rashes or dermatitis)
   • Severe infections: Increased risk of infections due to immune system activation.
   • Nephritis (kidney inflammation), which can affect kidney function.

3. Long-Term Risks:

   • Autoimmune reactions: Prolonged use of nivolumab can lead to chronic autoimmune conditions, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

Precautions:

1. Immune-related Adverse Events:

   • Patients receiving nivolumab need to be monitored closely for signs of immune-related side effects. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider promptly.

2. Pre-existing Conditions:

   • Nivolumab should be used cautiously in patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.) because it can worsen these conditions.

3. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

   • Nivolumab is classified as Category D for pregnancy, meaning it may harm the fetus. It should be avoided during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
   • It is unknown if nivolumab passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment.

4. Liver and Kidney Function:

   • Liver and kidney function should be monitored, as nivolumab can cause hepatitis and nephritis.

5. Infections:

   • As nivolumab can weaken the immune system in some ways, patients should be carefully monitored for signs of infection during treatment.