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Drugs A–Z

Nivolumab

Nivolumab is a prescription medicine (Programmed Death Receptor-1 Blocking Antibody). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Opdivo
Drug class
Programmed Death Receptor-1 Blocking Antibody
Taken
Intravenous
Label
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C., revised August 12, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
Biosimilars
None approved · details

What it is used for

OPDIVO is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of: Melanoma

  • adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab. (1.1)
  • for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma. (1.2) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
  • adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer in the neoadjuvant setting, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. (1.3)
  • adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer and no known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements, for neoadjuvant treatment, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, followed by single-agent OPDIVO as adjuvant treatment after surgery. (1.4)
  • adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer expressing PD‑L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-authorized test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, as first-line treatment in combination with ipilimumab. (1.5)
  • adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations as first-line treatment, in combination with ipilimumab and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy. (1.5)
  • adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO. (1.5) Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
  • adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, as first-line treatment in combination with ipilimumab. (1.6) Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
  • adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma, as a first-line treatment in combination with ipilimumab. (1.7)
  • adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, as a first-line treatment in combination with cabozantinib. (1.7)
  • adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. (1.7) Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL)
  • adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with previously untreated, Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD). (1.8)
  • adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has relapsed or progressed after: (1.8)
  • autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin, or
  • 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)
  • adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with disease progression on or after a platinum-based therapy. (1.9) Urothelial Carcinoma
  • adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC. (1.10)
  • adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, as first-line treatment in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine. (1.10)
  • adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who:
  • have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy.
  • have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. (1.10) Colorectal Cancer
  • adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) in combination with ipilimumab. (1.11)
  • adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. ( 1.11 ) Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
  • adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as a first-line treatment in combination with ipilimumab. (1.12)
  • in combination with ipilimumab in adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib. ( 1.12 ) Esophageal Cancer
  • adult patients with completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease, who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). (1.13)
  • adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as first-line treatment in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum‑containing chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1). (1.13)
  • adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as first-line treatment in combination with ipilimumab whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1). (1.13)
  • adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. (1.13) Gastric Cancer, Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
  • adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy. (1.14)

1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma OPDIVO, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

1.2 Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma OPDIVO is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.

1.3 Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer OPDIVO, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

1.4 Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment of Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer OPDIVO, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, followed by single-agent OPDIVO as adjuvant treatment after surgery.

1.5 Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • OPDIVO, in combination with ipilimumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-authorized test [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] , with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
  • OPDIVO, in combination with ipilimumab and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent NSCLC, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
  • OPDIVO is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.

1.6 Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma OPDIVO, in combination with ipilimumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.

1.7 Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

  • OPDIVO, in combination with ipilimumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced RCC.
  • OPDIVO, in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. […]

Forms and strengths

Injection: 40 mg/4 mL (10 mg/mL), 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL), 120 mg/12 mL (10 mg/mL), and 240 mg/24 mL (10 mg/mL) clear to opalescent, colorless to pale-yellow solution in a single-dose vial.

  • Injection: 40 mg/4 mL (10 mg/mL), 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL), 120 mg/12 mL (10 mg/mL), and 240 mg/24 mL (10 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose vial. (3)

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None.

  • None. (4)

Warnings and precautions

  • Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions: (5.1)
  • Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, including the following: immune-mediated pneumonitis, immune-mediated colitis, immune-mediated hepatitis and hepatotoxicity, immune-mediated endocrinopathies, immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions, and immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction.
  • Monitor for early identification and management. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment.
  • Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity and type of reaction. (2.3)
  • Infusion-related reactions: Interrupt, slow the rate of infusion, or permanently discontinue OPDIVO based on severity of reaction. (5.2)
  • Complications of allogeneic HSCT: Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic HSCT before or after being treated with a PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibody. (5.3)
  • Embryo-Fetal toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. (5.4 , 8.1 , 8.3)
  • Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials. (5.5)

5.1 Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions OPDIVO is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the programmed death-receptor 1 (PD-1) or the PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed under Warnings and Precautions may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time after starting treatment with a PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibody. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment with PD‑1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies, immune-mediated adverse reactions can also manifest after discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate. Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . In general, if OPDIVO requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy. Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below. Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, which is defined as requiring use of steroids and no clear alternate etiology. In patients treated with other PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies, the incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. OPDIVO as a Single Agent Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (2.1%) adverse reactions. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO in 1.1% and withholding of OPDIVO in 0.8% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% (61/61) of patients with pneumonitis. Pneumonitis resolved in 84% of the 61 patients. Of the 15 patients in whom OPDIVO was withheld for pneumonitis, 14 reinitiated OPDIVO after symptom improvement; of these, 4 (29%) had recurrence of pneumonitis. OPDIVO with Ipilimumab OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with Ipilimumab 1 mg/kg: In NSCLC, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 9% (50/576) of patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, including Grade 4 (0.5%), Grade 3 (3.5%), and Grade 2 (4%) immune-mediated pneumonitis. Four patients (0.7%) died due to pneumonitis. Immune-mediated pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 5% of patients and withholding of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 3.6% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% of patients with pneumonitis. Pneumonitis resolved in 72% of the patients. Approximately 13% (2/16) of patients had recurrence of pneumonitis after reinitiation of OPDIVO with ipilimumab. Immune-Mediated Colitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated colitis, defined as requiring use of corticosteroids and no clear alternate etiology. A common symptom included in the definition of colitis was diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. OPDIVO as a Single Agent Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent, including Grade 3 (1.7%) and Grade 2 (1%) adverse reactions. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO in 0.7% and withholding of OPDIVO in 0.9% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% (58/58) of patients with colitis. Four patients required addition of infliximab to high-dose corticosteroids. Colitis resolved in 86% of the 58 patients. Of the 18 patients in whom OPDIVO was withheld for colitis, 16 reinitiated OPDIVO after symptom improvement; of these, 12 (75%) had recurrence of colitis. OPDIVO with Ipilimumab OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with Ipilimumab 3 mg/kg: Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 25% (115/456) of patients with melanoma or HCC receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with ipilimumab 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, including Grade 4 (0.4%), Grade 3 (14%), and Grade 2 (8%) adverse reactions. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 14% and withholding of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 4.4% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% (115/115) of patients with colitis. Approximately 23% of patients required addition of infliximab to high-dose corticosteroids. Colitis resolved in 93% of the 115 patients. Of the 20 patients in whom OPDIVO with ipilimumab was withheld for colitis, 16 reinitiated treatment after symptom improvement; of these, 9 (56%) had recurrence of colitis. OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with Ipilimumab 1 mg/kg: Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 9% (60/666) of patients with RCC or CRC receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, including Grade 3 (4.4%) and Grade 2 (3.7%) adverse reactions. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 3.2% and withholding of OPDIVO with ipilimumab in 2.7% of patients with RCC or CRC. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 100% (60/60) of patients with colitis. Approximately 23% of patients with immune-mediated colitis required addition of infliximab to high-dose corticosteroids. Colitis resolved in 95% of the 60 patients. […]

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling.

  • Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
  • Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
  • Complications of Allogeneic HSCT [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in patients were:
  • As a single agent: fatigue, rash, musculoskeletal pain, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, asthenia, cough, dyspnea, constipation, decreased appetite, back pain, arthralgia, upper respiratory tract infection, pyrexia, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and urinary tract infection. (6.1)
  • In combination with ipilimumab: fatigue, diarrhea, rash, pruritus, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, pyrexia, cough, decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, arthralgia, headache, hypothyroidism, constipation, decreased weight, and dizziness. (6.1)
  • In combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy: nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, constipation, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, and peripheral neuropathy. (6.1)
  • In combination with ipilimumab and platinum-doublet chemotherapy: fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, diarrhea, rash, decreased appetite, constipation, and pruritus. (6.1)
  • In combination with cabozantinib: diarrhea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, stomatitis, rash, hypertension, hypothyroidism, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, dysgeusia, abdominal pain, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection. (6.1)
  • In combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy: nausea, peripheral neuropathy, decreased appetite, fatigue, constipation, stomatitis, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain. (6.1) Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥30%) in patients were:
  • In combination with AVD: nausea, neutropenia, fatigue, anemia, constipation, leukopenia, musculoskeletal pain, peripheral neuropathy, transaminases increase, vomiting, and stomatitis. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data in WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure to OPDIVO as a single agent in 1994 patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-037, CHECKMATE-017, CHECKMATE-057, CHECKMATE-066, CHECKMATE-025, CHECKMATE-067, CHECKMATE-205, CHECKMATE-039 or a single-arm trial in NSCLC (n=117); OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with ipilimumab 3 mg/kg in patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-067 (n=313), CHECKMATE-040 (n=49), or another randomized trial (n=94); OPDIVO 3 mg/kg administered with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg (n=666) in patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-214 or CHECKMATE-142; OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks in patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-227 (n=576) or CHECKMATE-743 (n=300); OPDIVO 360 mg with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy in CHECKMATE-9LA (n=361); OPDIVO 240 mg with cabozantinib 40 mg in patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-9ER (n=320); and OPDIVO 240 mg or 3 mg/kg with AVD in patients enrolled in CA209-8UT (SWOG 1826) (n=490). Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Previously Treated Metastatic Melanoma The safety of OPDIVO was evaluated in CHECKMATE-037, a randomized, open-label trial in 370 patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Patients had documented disease progression following treatment with ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor. The trial excluded patients with autoimmune disease, prior ipilimumab-related Grade 4 adverse reactions (except for endocrinopathies) or Grade 3 ipilimumab-related adverse reactions that had not resolved or were inadequately controlled within 12 weeks of the initiating event, patients with a condition requiring chronic systemic treatment with corticosteroids (>10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medications, a positive test for hepatitis B or C, and a history of HIV. Patients received OPDIVO 3 mg/kg by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks (n=268) or investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (n=102): dacarbazine 1000 mg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks or carboplatin AUC 6 mg/mL/min and paclitaxel 175 mg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 5.3 months (range: 1 day to 13.8+ months) in OPDIVO-treated patients and was 2 months (range: 1 day to 9.6+ months) in chemotherapy-treated patients. In this ongoing trial, 24% of patients received OPDIVO for >6 months and 3% of patients received OPDIVO for >1 year. The population characteristics in the OPDIVO group and the chemotherapy group were similar: 66% male, median age 59.5 years, 98% White, baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 (59%) or 1 (41%), 74% with M1c stage disease, 73% with cutaneous melanoma, 11% with mucosal melanoma, 73% received two or more prior therapies for advanced or metastatic disease, and 18% had brain metastasis. There were more patients in the OPDIVO group with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at baseline (51% vs. 38%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. OPDIVO was discontinued for adverse reactions in 9% of patients. Twenty-six percent of patients receiving OPDIVO had a dose interruption for an adverse reaction. Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. The most common adverse reaction (reported in ≥20% of patients) was rash. Tables 5 and 6 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in CHECKMATE-037. Table 5: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥10% of OPDIVO-Treated Patients and at a Higher Incidence than in the Chemotherapy Arm (Between Arm Difference of ≥5% All Grades or ≥2% Grades 3-4) – CHECKMATE-037 Toxicity was graded per NCI CTCAE v4. a Includes maculopapular rash, erythematous rash, pruritic rash, follicular rash, macular rash, papular rash, pustular rash, vesicular rash, and acneiform dermatitis. b Includes rhinitis, pharyngitis, and nasopharyngitis. Adverse Reaction OPDIVO (n=268) Chemotherapy (n=102) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Rash a 21 0.4 7 0 Pruritus 19 0 3.9 0 Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Cough 17 0 6 0 Infections Upper respiratory tract infection b 11 0 2 0 General Peripheral edema 10 0 5 0 Clinically important adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received OPDIVO were: Cardiac Disorders: ventricular arrhythmia Eye Disorders: iridocyclitis General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: infusion-related reactions Investigations: increased amylase, increased lipase Nervous System Disorders: dizziness, peripheral and sensory neuropathy Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, vitiligo, psoriasis Table 6: Laboratory Abnormalities Worsening from Baseline a Occurring in ≥10% of OPDIVO-Treated Patients and at a Higher Incidence than in the Chemotherapy Arm (Between Arm Difference of ≥5% All Grades or ≥2% Grades 3-4) – CHECKMATE-037 a Each test incidence is based on the number of patients who had both baseline and at least one on-study laboratory measurement available: OPDIVO group (range: 252 to 256 patients) and chemotherapy group (range: 94 to 96 patients). […]

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

  • Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. (8.2)

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on data from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] , OPDIVO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of nivolumab to cynomolgus monkeys from the onset of organogenesis through delivery resulted in increased abortion and premature infant death (see Data) . Human IgG4 is known to cross the placental barrier and nivolumab is an immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4); therefore, nivolumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. The effects of OPDIVO are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. There are no available data on OPDIVO use in pregnant women to evaluate a drug-associated risk. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data A central function of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is to preserve pregnancy by maintaining maternal immune tolerance to the fetus. Blockade of PD-L1 signaling has been shown in murine models of pregnancy to disrupt tolerance to the fetus and to increase fetal loss. The effects of nivolumab on prenatal and postnatal development were evaluated in monkeys that received nivolumab twice weekly from the onset of organogenesis through delivery, at exposure levels of between 9 and 42 times higher than those observed at the clinical dose of 3 mg/kg (based on AUC). Nivolumab administration resulted in a non-dose-related increase in spontaneous abortion and increased neonatal death. Based on its mechanism of action, fetal exposure to nivolumab may increase the risk of developing immune-mediated disorders or altering the normal immune response and immune-mediated disorders have been reported in PD-1 knockout mice. In surviving infants (18 of 32 compared to 11 of 16 vehicle-exposed infants) of cynomolgus monkeys treated with nivolumab, there were no apparent malformations and no effects on neurobehavioral, immunological, or clinical pathology parameters throughout the 6-month postnatal period.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of nivolumab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Pregnancy Testing Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating OPDIVO [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Contraception OPDIVO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and for 5 months following the last dose.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of OPDIVO have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older for the following indications: as a single agent and in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma, as a single agent for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of MSI-H or dMMR unresectable and metastatic CRC, and as a single agent for the treatment of MSI-H or dMMR mCRC that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. Use of OPDIVO for these indications is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults with melanoma or MSI-H or dMMR mCRC and additional pharmacokinetic data in pediatric patients. Nivolumab exposure in pediatric patients 12 years and older is comparable to that of adults and the courses of melanoma and MSI-H or dMMR mCRC are similar in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older to that of adults to allow extrapolation of safety and efficacy [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.11) ] . The safety and effectiveness of OPDIVO in combination with AVD have been established in patients aged 12 years and older for the treatment of cHL. Use of OPDIVO for this indication is supported by evidence from Study CA209-8UT, which included 120 pediatric patients ages ≥12 to <18 with previously untreated cHL treated with OPDIVO plus AVD. Adverse reactions reported with ≥10% higher frequency in pediatric compared to adult patients included nausea, anemia, increased transaminases, vomiting, lymphopenia, pyrexia, hyperphosphatemia, and eosinophilia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , Clinical Studies (14.8) ] . The safety and effectiveness of OPDIVO have not been established for pediatric patients younger than 12 years old with melanoma, MSI-H or dMMR mCRC, or cHL. The safety and effectiveness of OPDIVO have not been established in pediatric patients with non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

8.5 Geriatric Use Single Agent Of 3569 patients with melanoma, NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, ESCC, and esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer who were randomized to single agent OPDIVO in clinical studies, 41% were 65 years and over and 10% were 75 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients and younger patients [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2 , 14.5 , 14.7 , 14.10 , 14.13 , 14.14) ]. In patients with cHL, recurrent head and neck SCC, or dMMR or MSI-H metastatic CRC (mCRC) who were treated with single agent OPDIVO in clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients [see Clinical Studies (14.8 , 14.9 , 14.11) ]. OPDIVO in Combination with Ipilimumab Of the 314 patients with melanoma who were randomized to OPDIVO in combination with ipilimumab, 41% were 65 years or older and 11% were 75 years or older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were reported between elderly patients and younger patients [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Of the 576 patients with NSCLC who were randomized to OPDIVO in combination with ipilimumab, 48% were 65 years or older and 10% were 75 years or older. No overall difference in safety was reported between older patients and younger patients; however, there was a higher discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions in patients aged 75 years or older (29%) relative to all patients who received OPDIVO with ipilimumab (18%). Of the 396 patients in the primary efficacy population (PD-L1 ≥1%) randomized to OPDIVO in combination with ipilimumab, the hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.89) in the 199 patients younger than 65 years compared to 0.91 (95% CI: 0.72, 1.15) in the 197 patients 65 years or older [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ]. Of the 303 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who were randomized to OPDIVO in combination with ipilimumab, 77% were 65 years old or older and 26% were 75 years or older. No overall difference in safety was reported between older patients and younger patients; however, there were higher rates of serious adverse reactions and discontinuation due to adverse reactions in patients aged 75 years or older (68% and 35%, respectively) relative to all patients who received OPDIVO with ipilimumab (54% and 28%, respectively). […]

How it works

Binding of the PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, to the PD-1 receptor found on T cells, inhibits T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Upregulation of PD-1 ligands occurs in some tumors and signaling through this pathway can contribute to inhibition of active T-cell immune surveillance of tumors. Nivolumab is a human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking PD-1 activity resulted in decreased tumor growth. Combined nivolumab (anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) mediated inhibition results in enhanced T-cell function that is greater than the effects of either antibody alone, and results in improved anti-tumor responses in metastatic melanoma and advanced RCC. In murine syngeneic tumor models, dual blockade of PD-1 and CTLA-4 resulted in increased anti-tumor activity.

Are there biosimilars to Nivolumab?

No. The FDA has not approved a biosimilar yet.

Biologics have biosimilars rather than generics: highly similar versions with no clinically meaningful differences. Only biosimilars the FDA designates as interchangeable can be swapped at the pharmacy without asking the prescriber, where state law allows; the FDA Purple Book lists which ones are.

Brand-name versions

  • Opdivo Bristol Myers Squibb, approved 2014

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Nivolumab in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID f570b9c4-6846-4de2-abfa-4d0a4ae4e394.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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