Yervoy

What is Yervoy?

The drug Yervoy (ipilimumab) is a monoclonal antigen that is used to treat specific cancers such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), esophageal cancer, pleural mysothelioma, kidney cancer (RCC), and colorectal or liver cancer. Yervoy can be administered on its own or with other chemotherapy drugs, like Opdivo (nivolumab).Yervoy is an immune therapy that blocks the protein (antigen) that could stop the immune system from functioning correctly and attacking cancer cells. If Yervoy has stopped this antigen (CTLA-4), your immune system can detect and kill cancerous cells.Yervoy is a member of the category of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Because it blocks T-lymphocyte antibody 4 (CTLA-4) and blocks T-lymphocyte antigen 4, it is known as an inhibitor of CTLA-4.Yervoy was approved by the FDA on August 18, 2010, for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Since this time, this FDA approval has been expanded to cover various cancers.

How to take Yervoy?

They are white blood cells, which are an integral part of our immune system and are involved in the detection and elimination of cancerous cells. There is a protein called cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) on the surface of the T cells that suppresses immune activity. Yervoy inhibits the CTLA-4 antigen and triggers the immune response to locate and target cancerous cells.

Details on dosage

Yervoy is approved by the FDA to treat various cancers, including

• Skin cancer (melanoma)
• non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 (>=1 percent) without EGFR or ALK genomic tumour mutations
• Malignant mesothelioma pleural that is not resectable
• Squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus
• kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma (RCC))
• liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• colorectal cancer that is microsatellite stability-high (MSI-H) or missmatch repair insufficient (dMMR) advanced colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancers that are not treatable include metastatic or advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer.

For treatment with Yervoy, you must be suffering from a particular type of cancer and be in compliance with the requirements. For more information, refer to the Prescribing Information.Yervoy is usually prescribed when a tumour has expanded to other areas of the body and can't be removed surgically or has returned following previous treatment.

Side effects of Yervoy

The most commonly reported adverse effects are:

• The cough, fever, and shortness of breath;
• Nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea, constipation;
• Weight loss;
• hormonal issues;
• Itching or rash
• Headache, dizziness, tiredness;
• Sleep problems (insomnia);
• Muscle pain in joints, muscles, or bones.

Serious Yervoy side effects
See a doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy to this medication (hives, difficulties breathing, swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever, sore throat, eye burning, irritation, as well as a purple or red skin eruption with peeling and blistering).
Certain side effects can occur after the injection. Inform your doctor when you feel faint or lightheaded or sluggish. Itchy, tingly cold, or hyper.In some cases, fatal reactions can occur while you are taking this medication or months following your last dose. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience symptoms such as:

• Chronic or persistent diarrhoea, extreme stomach pain bloody or tarry stool;
• Fever, swollen glands, body aches;
• New or worsening skin rashes Itching, blisters, or itchiness
• Painful sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or genital area
• Chest pain, irregular heartbeats
• Chronic muscle weakness or discomfort in your muscles or joints
• Numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands
• Eyesight problems, eye pain, or redness;
• Lung conditions New or worsening chest pain, coughing, feeling breathless;
• Kidney problems: less or no urination; swelling in your feet and ankles; bleeding in urine
• Liver issues Upper stomach pain, right-sided fatigue, bruising, bleeding, and dark urine, as well as the skin's colour or eyes;
• Symptoms of a hormonal disorder such as frequent or unusual headaches, fatigue, dizziness, feeling faint, mood or behaviour changes, more frequent urination or thirst or experiencing coldness, weight gain and losing weight,
• Symptoms of swelling in the brain: the symptoms of brain swelling include confusion, migraines, hallucinations, and memory issues. headache, neck stiffness, and drowsiness (convulsions).

The treatment you receive for cancer could be delayed or discontinued permanently when you experience certain negative side effects.This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Sometimes fatal reactions can occur when you are taking this medication or after the last dose. Consult your physician immediately when you experience cough, chest pain or shortness of breath, visual changes, extreme muscle weakness or pain, diarrhoea and intense stomach pain, blood in your stool with no or minimal urination, swelling, bruises or bleeding or dark urine, discoloration of your skin or eyes, hallucinations, confusion or seizures, skin blisters, or a hormonal problem (frequent migraines, feeling lightheaded and thirsty, frequent urination or lightheadedness or feeling cold and cold, weight loss or gain).Before you start receiving Yervoy, consult your doctor about whether you suffer from liver damage, an autoimmune disorder like sarcoidosis, lupus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or have received an organ transplant.Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to fall pregnant while taking this medication.

Before you take this drug

It is not recommended to take this medication if you are sensitive to the active ingredient, ipilimumab, as well as any other inactive components.

To be sure Yervoy is suitable for you, ask your physician if you've ever taken:

• problems with the liver;
• An autoimmune disease (lupus, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis);
• a stem cell or organ transplant or
• A nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gyrus or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The medicine is not permitted for use by people less than 12 years of age and for some cancers. It is only used for adults.

Pregnancy

Yervoy can harm an unborn baby.

It is possible that you will need to take an unconfirmed pregnancy test prior to taking this medication. Utilise effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for at least three months following your last dose.Speak to your doctor If you're pregnant.

If you're pregnant and you are a registered mother, your name could be included on an ob-gyn registry to track Ipilimumab's effects on the infant.

Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for at least three months following the last dose.
What happens when Yervoy providesYervoy is administered as an IV infusion into the vein. The healthcare professional will give the injection.

This medication should be administered slowly, and the infusion may last between 30 and 90 minutes.Yervoy is generally administered at least every three to six weeks, depending on the type of cancer that you are treating. Other cancer treatments could be administered more frequently. Your doctor will decide how long you will be treated using all medications.Yervoy is a drug that can be used by itself or in combination with other cancer medications like Opdivo (Nivolumab).

There are different medicines to treat or prevent certain adverse reactions.There is a possibility that you will require frequent medical examinations, and the treatment for cancer could be delayed depending on the results.Yervoy is available as an injection of 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL) or 200 mg/40 millilitres (5 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial.

Do I be concerned if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor for advice in the event that you miss a chemotherapy appointment.

What will happen if I take excessively?

Since the medicine is prescribed by a medical specialist in a medical setting, it is highly unlikely for an overdose to occur.

What should be avoided?

Follow your doctor's advice regarding any limitations on foods, drinks, or any activity.

Interaction with other drugs

Talk to your healthcare professional about the medications you use, including prescription and non-prescription supplements as well as vitamins and herbal supplements.