Has your doctor recommended the Nivolumab vaccine for you or someone in your family to treat cancer? So, let's talk briefly about what this drug is, what it does, and what you need to be aware of. This is a complex, yet highly advanced drug, so it's important for you to have a good understanding of it.
What is this Nivolumab vaccine?
Simply put, Nivolumab (often known by the brand name Opdivo) is a vaccine that belongs to a special class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies . This means that it is a special protein designed to stimulate our body's own immune system, helping it to recognize, attack, and destroy cancer cells. It is not like chemotherapy, but works in a different way.
This medicine is mainly used to treat several types of cancer. Some of them are:
- Colon cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma, a type of skin cancer
Your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other types of cancer that are not on this list, so talk to your doctor about whether this is right for you.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because some medical conditions require special care when using this medication. Be sure to mention these things in particular:
- If you have autoimmune diseases , such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis , or lupus.
- If you have previously had an allogeneic stem cell transplant or are planning to have one.
- If you have previously received radiation treatment to your chest area.
- If you have had an organ transplant .
- If you have a nervous system disease , such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Nivolumab or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding , this is very important.
How to give this medicine and what to watch out for
This medicine is given to you through a vein (injected into a vein). This is not something you can do at home, but is done in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of medical staff .
Before starting treatment, you will be given a special leaflet (MedGuide) that contains information about this medicine. It is important to read and understand it carefully before each treatment session.
Think about what you would do if you missed a dose of medication. It is very important to go to your doctor's appointments exactly on the dates they give you. If for some reason you are unable to go, call your medical team immediately and let them know.
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Things to be especially careful about during treatment
Your doctor will monitor your condition closely while you are taking this medication. You will also need to have regular blood tests .
Special attention regarding pregnancy and lactation:
- For women: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 5 months after stopping the medicine. This can seriously harm the health of the baby. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid breastfeeding your baby completely while taking this medicine and for 5 months after stopping.
Side effects that may occur with this medicine
Like any medicine, Nivolumab can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The most important thing is to be aware of these symptoms and tell your doctor right away if you experience any serious symptoms.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Digestive system problems | Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or black, tarry stools. |
| Breathing difficulties | Unexplained dry cough, difficulty breathing. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual tiredness. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Problems with the hormonal glands | Increased thyroid hormones (Hyperthyroidism): Rapid heartbeat, weight loss, excessive sweating, tremors, restlessness. Hypothyroidism: Unusual fatigue, inability to tolerate cold, constipation, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, depression. |
| High blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) | Feeling very thirsty, needing to urinate frequently, feeling unusually tired, blurred vision. |
| Other serious symptoms | Chest pain, vision changes, eye pain, numbness or pain in the limbs, muscle weakness, loss of balance, blistering or peeling of the skin, including in the mouth, unusual bruising or bleeding. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Tiredness | Tiredness |
| Nausea and vomiting | Nausea and Vomiting |
| Appetite | Loss of appetite |
| Constipation | Constipation |
| Pain in the bones | Bone pain |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything else that is different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Nivolumab is a special, advanced vaccine that helps the body's own immune system destroy cancer cells.
- Before starting treatment, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and medications you are taking.
- Watch for signs of serious side effects (especially difficulty breathing, severe diarrhea, yellowing of the skin/eyes, skin blisters). Seek medical advice immediately if you notice any of these.
- It is very important to completely avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking this treatment and for 5 months after stopping it.
- Do not miss the dates given by the doctor and attend the treatment. Do not be afraid to talk to the doctor about any questions or problems you have.
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