Opdivo is an immunotherapeutic remedy used to treat two different types of oncological disease, melanoma, which is an aggressive skin cancer, and lung cancer.
This medicine helps to strengthen the immune system, improving the body's response against cancer cells, presenting fewer side effects than traditional treatment methods such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
The active ingredient in Opdivo is Nivolumab and is produced by the Bristol-Myers Squibb laboratories. Generally, this medicine is not usually purchased, since it is purchased and applied in the hospitals themselves, however it can be purchased in pharmacies with the strictest medical indication.
Price
In Brazil, the value of Opdivo costs, on average, 4 thousand reais for the 40mg / 4ml vial, or 10, 000 reais for the 100mg / 10ml ampoule, which may vary according to the pharmacy it sells.
Who can use
Nivolumab is indicated for the treatment of advanced lung cancer that has spread and has not been successfully treated with chemotherapy. In addition, it can also be used to treat melanoma in cases where the cancer has spread widely and can no longer be removed with surgery.
How to use
The mode of use of this medication must be defined by the doctor depending on each case, type of cancer, in addition to the body weight of each person, but Opdivo is usually administered in the hospital directly into the vein, diluted in saline or glucose, in sessions 60 minutes a day.
In general, the recommended dose is 3 mg of Nivolumab per kilogram of your weight, every 2 weeks, which may vary according to the medical indication.
Unwanted effects
The main side effects of Opdivo include persistent cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, bloody stools, stomach pain, yellowed skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, excessive tiredness, itching and redness of the skin, fever, headache. headache, muscle pain and blurred vision.
Any new symptoms noted should be reported to the doctor and monitored, as an adverse reaction with Nivolumab can occur at any time during or after treatment, and patients should be monitored continuously during use to avoid the development of possible complications. more serious, such as pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis or nephritis, for example.
Who cannot take
This medication is contraindicated in cases of allergy to the medication or to any excipients in the formulation.
No other contraindications for this medication are described by ANVISA, however, it should be used with caution in pregnant women and patients with pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrine diseases, nephritis, kidney problems or encephalitis.
