About ipilimumab
CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitor
Used for
- Treats certain advanced or unresectable melanoma.
- Treats advanced kidney cancer with nivolumab.
- Treats certain colorectal cancers with nivolumab.
- Treats certain lung cancers and mesothelioma with other medicines.
Usual adult dose
Usually 3 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks for 4 doses for melanoma; other cancers use different combination regimens.
Usual dose in children
For some cancers, usually 3 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks for 4 doses; regimen depends on cancer and combination treatment.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Rash, itching, or fatigue
- Inflammation of the colon, liver, lungs, or hormone glands
- Infusion reactions
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, potentially fatal immune-related inflammation in many organs.
- Symptoms may arise during treatment or after it ends.
- Treatment requires close monitoring; serious reactions may require stopping treatment and immune-suppressing medicines.
- Only administered by trained healthcare professionals.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.
Breastfeeding
Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.
Interactions
- Other immune checkpoint inhibitors or immune-activating cancer treatments can increase immune-related side effects.
- Systemic corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing medicines may affect treatment; they may also be needed to manage severe reactions.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.