Patient Resources

December 2024. 1506-AU-2400320. TAPS MR11065.

Please note: Your cancer specialist is your primary source of contact for advice, information and support in relation to your condition or treatment with OPDIVO or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY.  Ask your doctor if OPDIVO, YERVOY or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY is right for you. 

OPDIVO (nivolumab 10mg/mL) is a prescription medicine that can be used on its own (monotherapy) in the treatment of advanced melanoma and for a type of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). OPDIVO monotherapy is also used to treat certain types of lung cancer, a type of head and neck cancer (squamous cell carcinoma of the Head and Neck), a type of bladder cancer (urothethial carcinoma), a type of blood cancer (classical Hodgkin lymphoma), a type of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and a type of food pipe cancer (oesophageal cancer).  OPDIVO monotherapy can be used as adjuvant treatment after surgical removal of cancer in certain types of melanoma, food pipe cancer (oesophageal) and cancer of the connection between the stomach and the food pipe (gastro-oesophageal junction).   OPDIVO (nivolumab 10 mg/mL) and YERVOY (ipilimumab 5 mg/mL) are prescription medicines that can be used together to treat certain types of advanced melanoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lung).  OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY and chemotherapy is used to treat a certain type of lung cancer.    OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy is used to treat cancer of the stomach (gastric), cancer of the connection between the stomach and food pipe (gastro-oesophageal junction) and the food pipe (oesophageal adenocarcinoma).  OPDIVO in combination with cabozantinib can be used to treat advanced kidney cancer.   

YERVOY (ipilimumab 5mg/ml) is a prescription medicine that can be used on its own (monotherapy) in the treatment of advanced melanoma and in combination with OPDIVO for other types of cancer. These other cancers include a type of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) and certain types of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma).

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines.  Do not use OPDIVO or YERVOY if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to nivolumab or ipilimumab, or to any of the other ingredients of OPDIVO or YERVOY.  If you are not sure talk to your doctor.  OPDIVO, YERVOY and OPDIVO + YERVOY have risks and benefits, please discuss these with your doctor.  Tell your doctor of any previous or current medical conditions, including if you have had a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic), if you have an auto-immune disease and if you are taking any medicines.    

OPDIVO, YERVOY or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY can cause serious or even life-threatening side effects.  Signs and symptoms of side effects may happen at any time during treatment or even many months after your treatment has ended.  If you experience any side effects, inform your doctor immediately.  Early assessment and management of side effects by your doctor reduces the likelihood that treatment with OPDIVO, YERVOY or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY will need to be temporarily or permanently stopped.  Signs and symptoms that may appear mild can quickly worsen if left untreated.  Do not try to treat these symptoms yourself.  Signs and symptoms to look out for include the following, although these are not the only ones; general (changes in mood or behaviour, confusion, feeling unwell, fever, headaches, increased or decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, seizures (fits), swollen lymph nodes, excessive thirst, tiredness, weight loss or gain, tingling and/or numbness); eyes (eyesight changes, eye redness or pain, yellowing of the whites of your eyes); skin (skin dryness, itching, rash, blistering/peeling, or yellowing, raised skin lumps/bumps, severe skin reactions); muscles and bones (difficulty walking, muscle or joint pains, muscle weakness, stiffness); mouth, nose and throat (ulcers in the mouth or other mucous membranes eg nose, eyelids); chest (chest pain, breathing difficulties, cough, irregular heartbeat, palpitations (being more aware of heartbeat  than normal)); stomach and bowel (dark, tarry or sticky stools, blood or mucous in your stools, diarrhoea, pain or tenderness in your stomach or abdominal area), kidneys and bladder (decreased or increased amount of urine, darker urine). 

For more information about OPDIVO or YERVOY and a list of side effects, please see the OPDIVO Consumer Medicine Information at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/CMI/o/opdivo.pdf and/or the YERVOY Consumer Medicine Information at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/y/yervoy.pdf or call BMS Medical Information on 0800 167 567 (toll free) or email medinfo.australia@bms.com to request a copy. 

Please inform any healthcare professional caring for you that you are receiving treatment with OPDIVO or YERVOY, or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY.  Use OPDIVO, YERVOY or OPDIVO + YERVOY strictly as directed. 

OPDIVO is a funded prescription medicine for patients with advanced melanoma and advanced renal cell carcinoma who meet specific criteria. A prescription charge and normal Doctor’s fees may apply.   OPDIVO is not funded by PHARMAC for the treatment of other cancers listed above. YERVOY is an unfunded medicine. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and any other medical fees that may apply.

© 2024 Bristol-Myers Squibb.  OPDIVO^® and YERVOY^® are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.  Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.  BMS Medical Information: 0800 167 567 (toll free) or medinfo.australia@bms.com.  REF-05128-ONC.  Date of preparation: November 2024.