Pronunciation: yur-voi
Generic name: ipilimumab [ IP-i-LIM-ue-mab ]
Dosage form: intravenous infusion (50 mg/10 mL, 200 mg/40 mL)
Drug class: Anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 17, 2024.

What is Yervoy?

Yervoy (ipilimumab) is a cancer treatment used to treat lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and pleural mesothelioma in certain patients. Opdivo and Yervoy are sometimes used together, or Yervoy can be used alone or combined with other cancer medicines. Yervoy works by stimulating the immune system to help find and kill the cancer cells.

Yervoy is an immunotherapy that blocks a protein (antigen) that can stop your immune system from working properly. When Yervoy has blocked the protein (CTLA-4) the immune system can find and kill the cancer cells. 

Yervoy is a solution that is given as an infusion into a vein (IV infusion), usually once every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on which type of cancer is being treated.

Yervoy is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be surgically removed or has come back after prior treatment.

How does Yervoy work?

T-cells are part of the immune system that helps find and kill cancer cells. A protein (CTLA-4) on the surface of the T-cells stops it from doing its job properly so cancer cells can multiply. Yervoy works by blocking the protein CTLA-4, which helps activate the immune system to find and attack the cancer cells. Yervoy is from the class of medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors, and because it blocks the T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), it is called a CTLA-4 inhibitor. 

What is Yervoy used for?

Yervoy is FDA-approved to treat a range of specific cancers, including

• skin cancer (melanoma)
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 (≥1%) with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations
• Malignant pleural mesothelioma that is unresectable 
• squamous cell cancer of the esophagus
• kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma (RCC)) 
• liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• colorectal cancer that is microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer
• esophageal cancer that is unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

To be treated with Yervoy, you must have a specific form of the cancer and meet specific conditions. For more information on who can use this medicine, see Yervoy Prescribing Information.

Yervoy side effects

Common Yervoy side effects when used alone 

Common Yervoy side effects are nausea, feeling tired, headache, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, itching, decreased appetite, rash, sleep problems (insomnia), and vomiting.

Common Opdivo and Yervoy side effects

Common Opdivo and Yervoy side effects are feeling tired, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the stomach area, rash, shortness of breath, itching, upper respiratory tract infection (cold symptoms), nausea, headache,  pain in muscles, bones, and joints, low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism), fever, constipation, cough, weight loss, decreased appetite, and dizziness.

Common Opdivo, Yervoy, and chemotherapy side effects

The most common Opdivo, Yervoy and chemotherapy side effects are feeling tired, rash, pain in muscles, bones, and joints, decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and itching

Serious Yervoy side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to this medicine (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, light-headed, short of breath, itchy, tingly, chilled, or feverish.

This medicine can cause other serious and sometimes fatal reactions during treatment or months after your last dose. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea, severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;
• fever, swollen glands, body aches;
• new or worsening skin rash, itching, or blistering;
• painful sores in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area;
• chest pain, irregular heartbeats;
• severe muscle weakness, ongoing pain in your muscles or joints;
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• vision problems, eye pain or redness;
• lung problems - new or worsening cough, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, blood in your urine;
• liver problems - right-sided upper stomach pain, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes;
• signs of a hormonal disorder - frequent or unusual headaches, lack of energy, dizziness, fainting, mood or behavior changes, increased thirst or urination, feeling cold, weight gain, or weight loss; or
• symptoms of brain swelling - confusion, headache, memory problems, hallucinations, neck stiffness, drowsiness, seizure (convulsions).

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Also, see Warnings section.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with this medicine or months after your last dose. Call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, vision changes, severe muscle pain or weakness, diarrhea and severe stomach pain, blood in your stools, little or no urinating, swelling, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, confusion, hallucinations, a seizure, skin blistering, or a hormonal disorder (frequent headaches, feeling light-headed, increased thirst or urination, feeling cold, weight gain or loss).

Before you receive Yervoy, tell your doctor if you have liver damage, an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or if you have received an organ transplant.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to the active ingredient ipilimumab or any of the inactive ingredients.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver problems;
• an autoimmune disorder (lupus, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis);
• an organ transplant or stem cell transplant; or
• a nerve-muscle disorder, such as myasthenia gravis, or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old and for some types of cancer, it is used only in adults.

Pregnancy

Yervoy may harm an unborn baby. 

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of ipilimumab on the baby.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

How is Yervoy given?

Yervoy is given as an infusion into a vein (IV infusion). A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 30-90 minutes to complete.

Yervoy is usually given once every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on which type of cancer is being treated. Your other cancer medications may be given more often. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with all medicines.

Yervoy can be used alone or combined with other cancer medicines such as Opdivo (Nivolumab). 

Yervoy for Melanoma

When this medicine is used for melanoma that has been removed by surgery to help prevent it from coming back it is given as an IV infusion over 90 minutes. 

Yervoy and Opdivo

When Yervoy and Opdivo is a combination treatment  Yervoy is usually given every 3 weeks for 4 doses. After that, Opdivo alone is usually given every 2 or 4 weeks.

Opdivo and Yervoy for NSCLC

When Yervoy and Opdivo is a combination treatment for NSCLC that has spread to other parts of your body, Yervoy is given every 6 weeks and Opdivo (nivolumab) is given every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. Your healthcare provider will determine if you will also need to receive chemotherapy every 3 weeks for 2 cycles.

Yervoy and Opdivo for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

When Yervoy and Opdivo  is a combination treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma that cannot be removed by surgery, Yervoy is given every 6 weeks, and Opdivo is given every 3 weeks for up to 2 years

Yervoy and Opdivo for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)

When Yervoy is used in combination with nivolumab for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), Yervoy is given every 6 weeks, and Opdivo is given every 2 or 3 weeks for up to 2 years.

You may be given other medications to treat or prevent certain side effects.

You may need frequent medical tests, and your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Yervoy is available as an Injection: 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL) or 200 mg/40 mL (5 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial. 

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a chemotherapy appointment.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving Yervoy?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Ingredients

Active ingredients: ipilimumab

Inactive ingredients: diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), mannitol, polysorbate 80 (vegetable origin), sodium chloride, tris hydrochloride, and Water for Injection, USP at a pH of 7. 

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• Protect from light by storing it in the original carton until the time of use.
• Do not freeze or shake.

Company

Manufactured by: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ 08543 USA.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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