Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody for lung cancer. It is a Immune checkpoint inhibitor. it is available with the trade name of Opdivo. It mainly acts by inhibiting interaction between PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands with PD-1 receptor.
Availability, dosage and administration
Nivolumab is available in injectable form.
Availability
It is available in injectable form, IV solution 40mg/4ml (10 mg/ml) and 100 mg/10ml (10mg/ml).
Dosage
The recommended dose of Nivolumab depends on the indication or its use. For Lung cancer, the recommended dose is 240 mg, IV given 2 weeks.
Uses:
- Unresectable or metastatic Malignant Melanoma.
- Metastatic squamous Non-small cell Lung cancer
- Renal cell cancer
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Recurrent Head and neck cancer
- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Side effects
The common side effects that are experienced on Nivolumab are:
- Colitis in the form of diarrhoea and abdominal pain
- Pneumonitis in the form of cough and difficulty in breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Bone and muscle pain
- Skin rash, redness, itching
- Hypothyroidism
Precautions
- Before starting Nivolumab treatment, inform your doctor about other medications that you might be taking
- Do not take any kind of vaccination or immunization without informing your doctor
- Inform your doctor if you are on Nivolumab treatment and if you are pregnant as nivolumab can be hazardous to the fetus
- Do not breast feed on Nivolumab
- Monitor thyroid function while on treatment
Read more on drugs used for treatment of lung cancer.
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What Is Lung Cancer?
The lungs are an essential part of the respiratory system. The respiratory system consists of a pair of lungs that also have different parts. The right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two. A thin layer called the pleura to protect the lungs. Cells in the lungs do tend to change and
What Is Lung Cancer?
The lungs are an essential part of the respiratory system. The respiratory system consists of a pair of lungs that also have different parts. The right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two. A thin layer called the pleura to protect the lungs. Cells in the lungs do tend to change and
