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Nivolumab for Renal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews

Brand names: Opdivo

Nivolumab has an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 from a total of 18 reviews for the treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma. 61% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 28% reported a negative experience.

Nivolumab rating summary

6.8/10 average rating

18 ratings from 19 user reviews.

Compare all 47 medications used in the treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

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Reviews for Nivolumab

  • Brad
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 19, 2019

Opdivo (nivolumab) "Saved my life. Been on Opdivo (Nivolumab) for 3.5 years after being told I was about to die. All my tumors have shrunk, if not disappeared altogether. No side effects! CT scans are clear. No cancer symptoms. Doctor says I could live a normal life span. Treatment consists of a monthly half hour IV drip."

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Des2e
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 14, 2017

"I've had 7 two weekly infusions and so far I've had no side effects, none! After 6 infusions I was scanned and I was told it was working really well. My kidney cancer in my chest lymph glands have shrunk and the kidney cancer that has spread to my lungs has also shrunk! Nivolumab is my second line of attack, the first being Pazopanib. I only got 4-5 months out of Pazopanib, but I had quite a lot of side effects with it. So taking nivolumab and having no side effects is a real godsend. I haven't felt this good in 4 years, I feel stronger and I'm putting the weight back on I lost taking Pazopanib. Hair/have returned to normal colour. I hope this lasts a long time for me and I hope this post helps in some way. Good luck and God bless all."

10 / 10
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27 Report
  • Ray
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 17, 2019

Opdivo (nivolumab) "I was on drug for almost 2 years, It worked for my bone metastasis and it shrunk my tumor in right kidney. Stage IV RCC, I was able to stop and been stable over a year now without medication. Hoping it will continue to work for a while."

9 / 10
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20 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Charmed...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 18, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) "December 25, 2021 diagnosed with stage four clear cell renal cell carcinoma that had gone to my lungs (non small cell lung cancer). Soft ball sized tumor on my right kidney and numerous ping pong ball sized tumors in both lungs. No outward signs that I was ill. January 19, 2022 received my first infusion. Combo Opdivo with Yervoy by infusion. Two weeks into first infusion I developed a facial tumor that tested out to be clear cell renal cancer in origin. Drs wanted to start me on Cabometyx but I declined. One week later just prior to my second infusion that tumor had vanished and was only a small sub dermal bump (subsequently all evidence of that tumor was gone). I just received my 15 th infusion today ( 4 combo Opdivo/Yervoy at 3 week intervals and now my 11th Opdivo 480 mgs once a month). My tumors, both in my lungs and on my kidney, have shrunk by 60 % and I’ve had almost no side effects (slight fatigue, minor itching, some muscle/bone pain). It’s working for me."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • GCPYS
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 3, 2020

Opdivo (nivolumab) "Opdivo was the end for my husband!!! The doctors had been pushing this drug at us for 2 years. My husband finally decided to try it and 7 weeks after his first infusion he passed away due to complications from the medication!!! It caused pseudo diabetic symptoms, respiratory failure and numerous other complications!!! I would not recommend this treatment for anyone!!! I feel that they faked their trial runs to get funding for their experimental treatment!"

1 / 10
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13 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • For...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 24, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) "Daddy was on this for about 6 months. Would have been longer if his cancer didn't spread to his brain. This does not cross the blood brain barrier. This was the best medicine he ever took. Took in combination with Yervoy. Daddy had CLEAR cell RCC. It was in his stomach, liver, lung, and right atrium (heart) at the time. This medicine got rid of the cancer in his stomach, atrium, and lungs. I highly recommend this medicine. Daddy was still working at an automotive mechanic while taking this medicine. Side effects were minimal. The only thing is his immune system seemed to be more weak. That was it. He also had no kidneys left from the cancer. So he was on dialysis. I wish he could have stayed on this."

10 / 10
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5 Report
  • Missing...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 25, 2016

"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 6 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 3 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."

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Myfat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 17, 2019

"Be very, very careful with nivolumab. Within just 8 weeks it caused an explosion of my father’s lung metastases from renal cell carcinoma. It caused fluid around his lungs and heart. It might be a miracle cure for some but for every person that it so called ‘cures’ it seems to caused disastrous consequences for 10 other patients. I would use extreme caution in deciding to take this medication. It is very unpredictable."

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6 Report
  • Faith
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 4, 2019

Opdivo (nivolumab) "I was on Opdivo for 4 months for stage 4 RCC. Felt good with diarrhea was the only side effect until I got blurry vision in one eye. During those 4 months I had no increase in the side of the tumors."

5 / 10
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6 Report
  • Vic
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 20, 2019

"I started opdivo as my 3rd line of treatment. I had very few side effects at first and could eat like a horse. Unfortunately I got really really bad flares of rheumatoid arthritis. I had a partial response but the lung and messintary tumors grew and the RA became a problem. I would take it again but unfortunately was not my savior. Best luck to the next person to try it"

5 / 10
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4 Report
  • Melodie...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 11, 2021

Opdivo (nivolumab) "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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2 Report
  • WCS
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 12, 2023

"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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1 Report
  • Charmed
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 20, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) "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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  • RCCI
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 20, 2024

"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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  • S3ano
  • January 27, 2017

Opdivo (nivolumab) "I was on Opdivo for 6 months. It really set me back, I had to quit it before it killed me."

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • Kim...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 29, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) "Renal metastatic cancer in back and lungs also worked terrific going on 6 years cancer free."

10 / 10
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4 Report
  • Ben...
  • April 2, 2017

"47 months on treatment in the phase I-b clinical trial. Started Nov 2011 finished trial Oct 2015"

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Bob
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 27, 2023

Opdivo (nivolumab) "Drug is being administered by infusion every 28 days for about two years. No sign of cancer for many months in my CT scans."

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • sdwoods
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 26, 2024

Opdivo (nivolumab) "So far, so good. I have only had one infusion and no side effects. A couple more months and I will have a PET scan. Will know more then. I also have psoriasis so some immunology difficulties."

10 / 10
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0 Report

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.

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