What Is Opdivo?
Opdivo is the brand name for nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug that helps the body fight off many different forms of cancer. Opdivo is a biologic drug, specifically a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody, meaning that it is derived from living cells. Like other biologics, it is impossible to copy Opdivo exactly; therefore, there is no generic version available.
Examples of cancers that Opdivo can treat include bladder cancer, classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. It can also treat melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, and advanced non-small cell lung cancer, which is the most common form of lung cancer.
For the treatment of these cancers, doctors may prescribe Opdivo alone or in combination with other medications. In most cases, Opdivo is only a treatment option when cancer has spread to other areas of the body or is otherwise inoperable. However, for some cancers, such as metastatic melanoma, Opdivo is recommended as the first-line treatment. Opdivo has a durable response, meaning that the benefits can be long-lasting, sometimes continuing even after treatment is over.
How Does Opdivo Work?
Opdivo is an alternative to the chemotherapy traditionally used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy affects all rapidly growing cells in the body, which includes some healthy cells as well as cancer cells. This is the reason for the sometimes severe side effects of chemotherapy.
Opdivo is a type of immunotherapy, which means that it helps the immune system recognize and fight off cancer cells while not affecting normal tissues as much. Because of this targeting, Opdivo causes fewer and less severe side effects than chemotherapy.
Proteins in the body regulate the immune system and keep it in balance, so that it is neither underactive nor overactive, either of which can have negative effects on the body. T cells are a type of white blood cell most involved in fighting cancer within the body. Cancer cells can produce increased amounts of a protein called PD-L1, which latches onto receptors on the T cells and causes them to go inactive. Opdivo works by latching onto the T-cells’ receptors, blocking PD-L1 from binding to them. This keeps the T cells active so they can recognize and attack cancer cells.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
-
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
-
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
-
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Directions for Use
Opdivo is a solution administered by infusion, which is a type of injection into a vein that takes place over an extended amount of time because of the need to give the medicine slowly. An infusion of Opdivo can take between 30 and 90 minutes to complete. For this reason, you have to go to a medical facility to receive infusions of Opdivo, which you will receive approximately on a 2- to 4-week basis.
The frequency of your infusions depends on whether you are receiving Opdivo alone or in combination with other drugs, as well as the type of cancer you have. Your condition, frequency of infusions, additional medications, overall health, weight, and age are all factors used to determine the dosage of Opdivo you will receive. Because of all the variables involved, Opdivo dosing is unique to each individual patient.
Opdivo can be used in combination with radiation or chemotherapy, as well as other immunotherapy drugs.
Opdivo Side Effects
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Itching or rash
- Cough
- Increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infection
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Constipation
- Abnormal liver function
- Low sodium levels
- High potassium levels
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
- Fever
- Sensations of burning, numbness, or tingling
- Hormonal problems
- Allergic reactions
- Infusion reactions
- Meningitis or encephalitis
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Pneumonia
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
By submitting, you agree to AmeriPharma’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Notice of Privacy Practices