Getting an infusion
for advanced
kidney cancer

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

Your treatment plan

This treatment uses 2 medications

Your treatment will continue as long as it is working, and side effects are manageable, or up to 2 years with OPDIVO or OPDIVO Qvantig. Treatment with CABOMETYX will continue as long as it is working and side effects are manageable.

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.

Learn more about the differences between OPDIVO infusions and OPDIVO Qvantig injections below so you can have an informed discussion with your healthcare provider.

Understanding your treatment options

There are 2 different ways you can receive treatment

For your treatment, you and your doctor may have the choice between intravenous (IV) infusions with OPDIVO and under-the-skin injections (subcutaneous injection) with OPDIVO Qvantig.

OPDIVO® infusions or OPDIVO® QVANTIG™ injections will be every 2 or 4 weeks. Amount of treatments is decided by your provider.

Tips for your treatment

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.

Stay comfortable

If you are getting an infusion, try to 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. If you are getting an injection, try to wear loose clothing to your injection appointment. That way, it’s easier for your healthcare team to easily access your stomach area (abdomen) or thigh area to give your injection. Some ideas include a large T-shirt, shorts, sweatpants, or something similar.

Bring activities to your infusion appointment

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.)

Try not to focus on the injection

For many people, needles can be scary, but there are ways to help cope when receiving your injection. Some tips include not watching the needle, keeping yourself distracted with a short video or your favorite music, practicing deep breathing by counting to four on each inhale or exhale, and relaxing the muscle where you’re receiving your injection.

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.