Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Yervoy

Generic Name: ipilimumab (Pronunciation: IP i LIM ue mab)

What is ipilimumab (Yervoy)?

Ipilimumab is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Ipilimumab is used to treat melanoma (skin cancer) that cannot be treated with surgery and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Ipilimumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of ipilimumab (Yervoy)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with ipilimumab or months after stopping. Contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:

diarrhea, increased bowel movements, black or bloody stools, stomach tenderness;
pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), easy bruising or bleeding;
unusual muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
unusual headaches, feeling cold or tired, weight gain, dizzy spells, mood changes, irritability, confusion;
mouth sores, skin rash with or without itching, blistering or peeling, skin sores with bleeding; or
eye pain, or vision problems.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

severe stomach pain, bloating, constipation, or vomiting;
having several more bowel movements per day than before you started receiving ipilimumab;
loss of bowel control;
trouble with daily activities;
feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
severe upper stomach pain spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
fever, cough, trouble breathing; or
chest pain, feeling short of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain.

Less serious side effects may include:

feeling tired;
mild diarrhea; or
mild skin rash or itching.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about ipilimumab (Yervoy)?

Before you receive ipilimumab, 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 medication.

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with ipilimumab or months after stopping. Contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:

diarrhea, increased bowel movements, black or bloody stools, stomach tenderness;
pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), easy bruising or bleeding;
unusual muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
unusual headaches, feeling cold or tired, weight gain, dizzy spells, mood changes, irritability, confusion;
mouth sores, skin rash with or without itching, blistering or peeling, skin sores with bleeding; or
eye pain, or vision problems.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving ipilimumab (Yervoy)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.