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Nivolumab User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Brand names: Opdivo

Nivolumab has an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 from a total of 116 reviews on Drugs.com. 47% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 47% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Nivolumab

  • Jenkins
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 11, 2018

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Head and Neck Cancer "Just started opdivo last week. Will have it every two weeks. Had to have a full laryngectomy seven months ago because of a tumor in back of throat. Was hoping to get a voice prothesis to talk again but , they discovered two small cancerous tumors on my tongue. Surgery, of course is not an option . Hoping opdivo will shrink these tumors at the very least if not destroy them altogether."

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  • Melodie...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 11, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Renal Cell Carcinoma "I took 4 treatments of opdivo yervoy and I have horrible joint pain in my knees, hands, shoulders . It's been a month since last treatment and still severe pain. I wouldn't recommend it to any one. Dr. Keeps telling me it will go away. Pain medications don't work!!"

1 / 10
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  • 77Shaka
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 13, 2023

For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "On January 17th, 2023, I began treatment for stage 3a NSCLC, which included infusions every two weeks. At 75 years old, I was diagnosed on April 6th, 2022, after discovering a 1.9mm nodule at the bottom of my left lung, along with malignant hilar lymph nodes. Initially, I did not undergo any therapy for 9 months, opting instead for CT/PET scans every three months. During this period, there was no growth in the nodule, and the SUV hypermetabolic activity remained at around 7.7. Following five infusions, my doctor performed a PET/CT scan, which revealed that the hilar lymph region was cancer-free, although the nodule had grown slightly. However, the SUV was low. My next step is to have a radiation oncologist map the location of the nodule and perform a direct radiation beam, known as radiation surgery, to eliminate the nodule. Fortunately, I have an outstanding doctor who has not overtreated me. Despite initial fatigue and headaches, the side effects of Opdivo, the treatment I'm receiving, disappeared after a couple of infusions. I am scheduled for my seventh infusion on April 17th. Throughout my illness, I have not experienced any symptoms and have remained very active, participating in activities like surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and walking."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • His...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 23, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "Opdivo is a JOKE ! My husband had a heart attack the day of his second treatment and died the following week because he could not undergo surgery due to being so weak. We were not aware of some of the side effects. After his death I owed more to the cancer center than the hospital due to the fact that this immunotherapy drug cost $16,000 per treatment even though medicare and the supplement helped pay. The ONLY ones who benefit from these drugs are the drug makers. I honestly do not know a single cancer patient that immunotherapy has saved."

1 / 10
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  • CJL
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 22, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Head and Neck Cancer "When I was about to start Opdivo, I was told it was not a cure but a life extender. I prepared myself by taking natural immune boosters one month before start of Opdivo and during treatment. The tumor in my mouth started shrinking after 10 days from start of treatment. After 25 doses (4wk schedule) and two years, I stopped my treatment. The tumor was gone by the first year. Hospice was my option before Opdivo saved me. Side effects where rash on face for a week every three weeks out from my dose. Natural immune boosters, Chaga tea, Astragalus, and Boswellia serrata."

10 / 10
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  • WCS
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 12, 2023

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma , 1 kidney removed, it metastasized to my bones, both lungs, and lymph gland (terminal). It was given as 2nd line treatment, 5 days after infusion my liver shut down due to HEP C that I had, and I had blood clots in my lung. In hospital 23 days. Now 4 years later I tried again after HEP C treatment, I had 3 infusions in 3 months, caused bacterial pneumonia in both lungs. I would not recommend!! BUT It does work reducing tumor size and spread."

2 / 10
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  • LoneS...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 21, 2022

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma "I have Peritoneal mesothelioma. This drug, along with Yervoy, gave me colitis & caused me to be adrenal insufficient. The treatment was worse than the cancer. I’ve had 3 infusions 9 of Opdivo and the 1st and 3rd were combined with Yervoy. Each infusion gave me a worst case of colitis. The colitis required steroids to combat its symptoms of vomiting & diarrhea. Each of the 4 times my doctors tried to wean me off the steroids and stopped them, within 2 days I would end up in the hospital because of vomiting & diarrhea & dehydration. After the 3rd infusion, the steroids were ineffective in treating the colitis, I was in one hospital for almost a month while they kept giving me steroids thinking it was treating the colitis. When I went to a different hospital, one that specializes in cancer care, they immediately discovered that I had inflammation & infection in my esophagus & small & large intestines after an endoscopy & colonoscopy, proving that the steroids no longer were effective in treating the colitis."

1 / 10
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  • Kyria...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 3, 2022

For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "This drug caused the death of my father earlier. When he received this drug, he had advanced non-small lung cancer (squamous) with multiple bone metastases. After the second dose, my father could not walk, and after 20 days, he passed away in the hospital. Do not give this to your loved ones in advanced stages. There are no benefits."

1 / 10
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  • Jocelyn...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 29, 2018

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "I have stage 3b lung cancer and was on chemo but couldn't take it, so then I was on opdivo. Iwas doing fine but it triggered my lichen planus back wondering if anyone out there ever heard of this or had it also."

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  • Jamie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 10, 2018

For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband had NSCLC 2011 then 2013 it went to his head. After many rounds of chemo between 2013 and 2017 they weren’t working anymore. Opdivo was the answer for the drs. He was to have his 2nd opdivo treatment and on the very day I woke to him seizing in our bed. After ER trip we found out he had blood clots all up one side of his head and he died 3 days later."

1 / 10
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  • Terry...
  • August 22, 2017

For Hodgkin's Lymphoma "I have both NHL and HL, have been on Opdivo since Feb 2017, I've had very little side effects, mostly a small rash. My Hemaglobin went from 59 to 145, I feel great, and I'm preparing for a donor stem cell transplant in Sept 2017 I've had an autologous stem cell transplant and several different chemos Terry Burlington, ontario"

10 / 10
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  • PRose
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 31, 2022

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "I've been on Opdivo, 4 years. I was diagnosed with Stage 3, Lung Cancer on Feb. 7, 2018. I had Chemo once a week for about 3 months, but Radiation 5 days a week at the same time. Then a month and a half later, more radiation for about another 5 weeks. Started Opdivo treatments Sept. 2018. I go every other Friday. My side effects where/are, joints ache, with swollenness. Get tired and feel fatigued at times. Had some weight gain also."

9 / 10
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  • My da...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 15, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) "My daughter was in treatment for wilm’s tumor. She was in treatment for over 3 years. She received chemo, surgery, radiation, proton therapy, more radiation, & a stem cell transplant. She was okay for 8 months post transplant until the cancer returned to her lungs. We revisited drugs that she had not had since the beginning of her treatment. When all options were exhausted her oncologist decided to try opdivo. My daughter was already having trouble breathing but after the first treatment her breathing worsened. 3 weeks later she had her second dose -the date was Dec 18th. Her breathing worsened even more to the point where she couldn’t walk. She had to be wheeled into the ER on Christmas night 2019. A CT determined there were many tumors in both lungs -too many to count. We were told there was nothing they could do. My beautiful daughter lost her battle on Jan. 12th 2020. 15 days after her 15th birthday."

1 / 10
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  • Sherry
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 26, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Colorectal Cancer "Was out of remission and had to take radiation and Opdivo . The cancer was resolved by the radiation treatment not the Opdivo. What the Opdivo did was damaged not only my thyroid but my salivary glands as well and caused blisters in my mouth."

1 / 10
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  • Charmed
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 20, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Renal Cell Carcinoma "This is a follow-up to my February 2023 posting. I've completed my 24th Opdivo infusion with no adverse side effects. I've already scheduled number 25 and 26. Yesterday, I had my first-ever PET scan. My results were totally unexpected - NED, no evidence of disease (remission). I will be meeting with my doctor to plan my future course of treatment. I believe my Yervoy/Opdivo treatments have saved my life. Stage 4 CCRCC with NSCLC is not the end, it's a starting point. Explore all your options and go forward."

10 / 10
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  • Chrys
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • March 2, 2024

For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer "I have had monthly injections of nivolumab since 2018 for stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer! That's 6 years which I wouldn't have had with chemotherapy. I had a full-body rash after the first dose that was treated with steroids. It did not recur. I feel well and owe my life to this drug. Full disclosure, I live in Canada and the government covers all my medical costs associated with taking this drug."

10 / 10
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  • Stack...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 17, 2022

For Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma "Worst medicine ever. My Mother who is only 74 years old was diagnosed with mesothelioma and was put on a combination of Optivo and Yervoy. After 6 long treatments which were awful with the side effects, the tumors actually GREW. These medicines did nothing for her plural mesothelioma, actually made things a lot worse. These are really expensive drugs and I can't believe the FDA approved them for mesothelioma. They did nothing for my Mother except make her even more ill and the tumors grow even faster."

1 / 10
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  • DaBear
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 18, 2024

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Melanoma, Metastatic "Received 12 months of Opdivo, 23 treatments from April 2018 to April 2019. Skin rash in splotches on hands, arms, stomach, and feet. Severe bone and muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue, stomach issues, loose bowels. All throughout treatment. I am now almost 5 years from the last treatment, but I continue to have bone and muscle pain, and from time to time I get rashes popping up randomly. My biggest complaint is that I continue to be tired and have bone/joint pain. All my treatments and blood work were in the right arm as I had lymph nodes taken from the left arm, so no blood pressure, no needle sticks, etc., in the left arm. Right arm held up well with all the treatments and blood work. Now my right shoulder and nerves down my arm bother me a lot. My final comment is, Opdivo worked. Thank God I am still here on this earth."

10 / 10
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  • jkruger
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 9, 2022

For Melanoma, Metastatic "After one dose of nivolumab (I was given a total of five doses), the drug simultaneously caused nerve and tissue damage in both hands. My hands have severe nerve damage and are very painful and are turning into 'skeleton hands' due to muscle or tissue loss. My shoulders and all other joints are now weakening and extremely painful. Nivolumab also has diminished my concentration and memory. This drug is not being tracked with its severe defects. My life has been shortened by its side effects."

1 / 10
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  • IRS
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 15, 2023

For Melanoma, Metastatic "I joined drug trial CA209-066 in June 2013 (in Australia). I was randomized to Nivolumab. 9 weeks after my first dose there was a 30% to 50% reduction in the size of my tumors. 16 weeks after my first dose I was diagnosed with Uveitis (an auto-immune inflammation of the eye). 13 months after my first dose the trial was "unblinded". 21 months after my first dose a scan showed "no evidence of metastatic disease". I have been receiving Nivolumab for 10 years and remain cancer-free. Side effects include Uveitis and a skin rash."

10 / 10
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  • David...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 8, 2023

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Combo with Ipilipumab - created total remission of stage 4 melanoma including 2 big Mets in my brain. Combo side effects are terrible and the protocol needs adjusting for early responders like me in which case 3 infusions is plenty. My 4th infusion made be very ill with an inflammed digestive system, lots of vommitting and diahrea, but the scans showed the job was done after 3 infusions. Overall it is a miracle treatment because I'd be dead or in palliative if not for the invenstors - Honjo and Allison."

10 / 10
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  • RCCI
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 20, 2024

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "At first in combination with ipilimumab. It eliminated RCC that spread, and was inoperable in both lungs as well as a tumor on a psoas muscle. Once the Yervoy was eliminated, my itching was much improved. My Thyroid needs pills now and the itching has come back somewhat but that's a good trade-off for 1.5+ years of cancer not found. I also have to pay more attention to my diet and constipation risk. I got bronchitis after a lung biopsy but that may just be coincidence. Tinnitus that has been around for at least two years but has gotten much worse in the last three months, but I have not brought it up to the doctor yet, but I will remember to now, since it is ever-present. I had been getting infusions every four weeks but with more itching, I have started an every eight weeks interval since cancer is at bay."

8 / 10
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  • daylate
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 15, 2024

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Melanoma, Metastatic "Started Opdivo almost two years ago. When diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, I was suggested I had about 6 months to live. My Oncologist started me immediately after confirming I had metastatic melanoma. I have only seen low sodium levels just at the lower threshold. A little tired following infusion. I feel this therapy has extended my life for certain. I'm glad it is available at this time. 10-15 years ago I wouldn't be so lucky."

10 / 10
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  • Bucks...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 24, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Head and Neck Cancer "Well, it seems to work. I had squamous cell cancer in my left sinus, and after three treatments, the cancer is resolved, apparently. The side effects are brutal, though - diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, skin issues, sleep issues, and fatigue. Don't know how long they're going to go on."

5 / 10
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  • Robyn
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 27, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) for Colorectal Cancer "I have been dealing with abdominal tumor growth for 15 years. I started Opdivo three years ago after two scans that showed tumor growth. It kept my tumors from growing for 2.5 years. I had almost no side effects. Just occasional loose stools and occasional rashes that were not itchy and went away in a few days. I started taking it every 2 weeks and then moved to once a month. I was in and out of labs and infusion in 1.5 hours so I never needed to miss work."

8 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.