Nivolumab and Pneumonia: What Users Say

• Dav...
• August 11, 2017

Nivolumab for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom started this treatment after her oncologist suggested that it was an alternative to other chemo because it was not as harsh. Well, after her initial treatment ($27,000), she started swelling, couldn't eat, had no energy, was confused, basically confined to her bed, and then the second treatment, she developed pneumonia and was hospitalized 4 days later. Mom passed after 4 days, after numerous antibiotics, blood transfusions, and a lot of agony. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone. It's awful with life-threatening side effects. I think this is just a money racket to get cash from the dying and the government."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

Nivolumab for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom started on radiation and chemo, traditional chemo did not work because the cancer had spread to her bone marrow. Her doctor started her on Opdivo, and she went downhill from there. She had pneumonia and joint pain, diarrhea, etc. The side effects were worse than the cancer. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. Taking this drug was a HUGE setback for my mom, she passed away yesterday, 11/21/16. Please do your homework before taking it."

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

Nivolumab 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."

• Lta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2018

Nivolumab for Head and Neck Cancer "My father was on Opdivo for 77 days. He became sick with all of the side effects (pneumonia, inflammation of the brain), as well as ultimately losing the use of both of his legs. In my opinion, the drug only increased his life by 77 painful days, and it did nothing effective at all. I do not recommend using this drug at all."

• My...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

"My husband fought carcinoid cancer for 6 years. He kept getting pneumonia with the cancer drug that had kept him stable over the last couple of years and had to go off of it. His doctor had heard Opdivo recommended for his type of cancer, and he was approved by BMS for full coverage since our insurance didn't pay for it. He started it in March with a dose every two weeks. His energy level plummeted. After 3 doses over 6 weeks, he decided to stop, but his energy kept declining and his tumors had grown. Also, his cancer markers were rising rapidly from about February till he was put on hospice in May. He passed away in June. I'm not saying Opdivo killed him, the cancer did, but the start of his rapid decline coincided with the start of Opdivo."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2016

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "Yesterday, we celebrated my daughter's birthday and Thanksgiving without my husband, who passed away in June. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoid tumors in 2010 and survived a wonderful six years. He did very well with Afinitor until it began to give him pneumonia. In March this year, his doctor started him on Opdivo. His energy immediately plummeted. In early March, he felt well enough to plan a vacation to Alaska for early June. By early April, he wanted to cancel it. He had three injections of Opdivo over March and April. He went into hospice in May and passed away in June. I'm not saying Opdivo killed him since his cancer markers were starting to rise before starting it, but they skyrocketed after starting it."