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Indications

Prescribing Information

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Medication Guide

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Potential OPDIVO® (nivolumab) user outside, looking up at her son.
Potential OPDIVO® (nivolumab) user outside, looking up at her son.

Getting an infusion
for advanced
kidney cancer

For certain adults with previously untreated
kidney cancer that has spread (advanced renal
cell carcinoma)

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Here’s what you can expect during your treatment

This treatment uses two medications: OPDIVO and YERVOY.
They are given on the same day as separate intravenous (IV) infusions, meaning that they are delivered into your vein.

Nurse monitoring a gentleman's infusion of OPDIVO® (nivolumab) immunotherapy treatment.

This is what your treatment plan may look like

Talk to your doctor about your plan and ask any questions you may have before starting treatment. Only your doctor can make specific recommendations about your treatment.

PHASE 1: Start with OPDIVO + YERVOY

EVERY 3 WEEKS

OPDIVO® (nivolumab) + YERVOY® (ipilimumab) treatment schedule for advanced kidney cancer (RCC).
PHASE 2: Continue with just OPDIVO

Your dose of OPDIVO may vary depending on how often you receive treatment.

OPTION 1 – A LOWER DOSE EVERY 2 WEEKS

More regularly scheduled time with your healthcare team with less time in between appointments

Lower dose OPDIVO® (nivolumab) treatment schedule every two weeks for advanced kidney cancer (RCC).

Your treatment will continue as long as it is working, and side effects are manageable.

OPTION 2 – A HIGHER DOSE EVERY 4 WEEKS

Regularly scheduled time with your healthcare team with more time in between appointments
Higher dose OPDIVO® (nivolumab) treatment schedule every four weeks for advanced kidney cancer (RCC).

Your treatment will continue as long as it is working, and side effects are manageable.

Tips for your treatment

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Create a routine

To make it easier for your treatment to fit into your routine, try to schedule your appointments for the same day and time each week. You can also designate that time to talk with your healthcare team to let them know how you’re feeling and to ask questions.

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Stay comfortable

Wear clothes and shoes that make you feel comfortable so it’s easier to relax. Think about bringing a light blanket or a travel pillow for even more comfort.

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Bring activities

Help pass the time at your treatment by bringing a book, magazine, tablet, or using your phone.
(And don’t forget to bring your chargers.)

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Pay attention to how you feel

It’s important to pay close attention to how you feel during and after treatments and let your healthcare team know how you feel. During treatment, your healthcare team will also check you for side effects and may treat you with additional medications to help relieve them. Your healthcare team may also need to delay or completely stop your treatment if you have severe side effects.

We hope that the information on this page is helpful but be sure to communicate with your healthcare team because they are your best source of information. Talk to your healthcare team about anything you may be experiencing during your treatment. See below for possible side effects.

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Helpful patient resources

Explore resources to help you along your treatment journey

Clinical trial results for OPDIVO® (nivolumab) and OPDIVO-based combinations.

Clinical trial results

Explore findings from clinical trials with OPDIVO and OPDIVO-based combinations