Opdivo and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Ter...
• July 20, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad started Opdivo in May 2017. By the second treatment, he was terribly sick, weak, no appetite, upset stomach, talking out of his head, and confused. By the third treatment, he had so much fluid in his feet and was so weak he couldn't even move himself in bed. They should have never done a third treatment but were more concerned about the price of the treatment. My dad died a week and a half later. In my opinion, he spent the last part of his life miserable because of this medicine."

• Ivy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2019

For Melanoma "After two treatments of Opdivo for melanoma, my father experienced many of the side effects, including muscle weakness, swelling (including in his brain), loss of appetite, constipation, droopy eye muscles, blurred vision, and irregular heartbeats and blood pressure. He is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in the ICU. He is the third case they have seen with similar reactions, but they are having trouble treating the side effects. Thankfully, he sought help before the symptoms worsened. My advice is to learn the side effects and immediately let your doctor know if they appear."

• kde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2023

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer that spread to his prostate, and in August 2022, he had both removed. In October 2022, he started taking Opdivo. After two treatments, he developed a rash and was treated with steroids. In mid-November, he had another treatment along with a steroid IV to counteract another rash. However, he gradually worsened. He developed a fever, became weak and tired, lost his appetite, experienced severe back pain, and had a cough. He had another treatment at the end of December. At the end of January 2023, we took him to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with pneumonia in his lungs, a kidney infection, a blood clot in his right leg, and a blood clot near his heart in his lung. He also had mild fluid surrounding his heart and gastroparesis. It is February 3rd and he is still in the hospital. The doctors have confirmed through dye and X-rays that gastroparesis is a side effect of Opdivo and not caused by a blockage or mass. They are trying to figure out how to treat him as steroids are not working. Our experience with Opdivo has been thumbs down. If only we had known beforehand."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My dad had lung cancer, and it had spread to his liver. His doctor recommended starting Opdivo because chemo was no longer an option. He got his first treatment on July 24, 2017. He began having constipation issues, severe stomach pain, no appetite, within a week of having the first treatment. He was admitted to the hospital on August 5th and died on August 14th. He was suffering and miserable his last few weeks of life. I believe this medication contributed to his death. I think a person's body needs to be in a specific state for it to be successful. By reading the reviews, it works wonders on some, and others die very shortly after starting treatment."

• Dan...
• April 24, 2019

For Small Cell Lung Cancer "Writing this review on my father's behalf, may he rest in peace. He got diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer with metastasis in the liver and lymph nodes. After his first round of chemo, they did a new CT scan and PET scan, miraculously, the doctor said the cancer is reduced to scarring and continued the radiation preventively. Three months later, he is back in the hospital and things are not looking good, yet stable. From the first dose of Opdivo, it was a rapid decline. He passed away within 24 hours of the second dose on Feb 14. He couldn’t eat or sleep, he couldn’t talk or walk, his face was dropping, and he had a cough that wouldn’t give up. I can’t help but feel that they used my dad as some sort of lab rat to test this on. I know that cancer is terrifying, and I know that you may feel there are not many options, but please consider finding another option than this medication. My father was strong even in his final moments, but I genuinely feel he would still be alive if not for these meds."