Ipilimumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used to treat several cancers. You may get it alone or with another drug called nivolumab. When used together, some side effects are more common and can be severe.
Brand Name(s)
- US: Yervoy
- Canada: Yervoy
Warning(s)
This medicine can cause serious immune-related side effects. These can affect many parts of your body during treatment or weeks to months after treatment ends. Tell your care team about all your medicines and health conditions before starting.
- Immune side effects can involve the bowels (colitis), liver (hepatitis), skin, nerves, lungs (pneumonitis), brain, heart, kidneys, and glands that control hormones (thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, pancreas/diabetes).
- Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) can happen.
- Infusion reactions may occur during or shortly after the IV infusion.
- High blood sugar, including new or worsening diabetes, may occur.
- If you have had a donor stem cell transplant (allogeneic), serious and sometimes fatal complications have happened.
- If you have had an organ transplant, this drug may raise the chance of transplant rejection.
- Pregnancy: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You may need a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.
Get urgent medical help right away for any of the following:
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash; hives; itching; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; wheezing; chest or throat tightness.
- Liver or kidney problems: dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, right-side stomach pain, very low urine, blood in urine, or big, sudden weight gain.
- Hormone problems: severe or long-lasting headache, extreme tiredness, feeling cold, dizziness or fainting, mood changes, hair loss, fast heartbeat, increased sweating, increased thirst or urination, breath that smells fruity.
- Nerve problems: new numbness, tingling, weakness, or not being able to move a part of the body.
- Severe skin problems: red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, nose, throat, or eyes.
- Lung problems: new or worsening significant cough, shortness of breath, or fever.
- Brain problems: confusion, memory problems, stiff neck, seizures, muscle weakness, severe nausea/vomiting, or balance changes.
- Heart problems: chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling in arms or legs; sudden weight gain.
- High blood sugar or electrolyte problems: confusion, extreme thirst or hunger, frequent urination, flushing, fast breathing, muscle cramps or spasms, abnormal heartbeat, seizures.
- New or severe diarrhea, bloody or black stools, or severe stomach pain.
- Eye symptoms: changes in vision, eye pain, or severe irritation.
- Severe infusion symptoms: back or neck pain, chills, shaking, dizziness, fainting, fever, flushing, itching, rash, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, or wheezing.
Your care team may check bloodwork and other tests during treatment. If you also receive nivolumab, ask about added risks and side effects.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Melanoma (advanced or after surgery to reduce the risk of return)
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) with nivolumab
- Lung cancer (certain types) with nivolumab, sometimes with chemotherapy
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma with nivolumab
- Colorectal cancer that is MSI-H or dMMR with nivolumab after prior treatment
- Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) with nivolumab after certain prior treatments
Your exact use depends on your cancer type and prior treatments. Ipilimumab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a clinic or hospital.
Mechanism of Action
Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets a protein on T cells called CTLA-4. CTLA-4 normally acts as a brake on your immune system. By blocking CTLA-4, ipilimumab lifts that brake so your T cells can better find and attack cancer cells.
When combined with nivolumab (a PD-1 blocker), the two drugs release different immune brakes at different steps. This can boost anti-cancer activity but may also raise the chance of immune side effects.
Common Side Effects
- Headache or trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Rash or itching
- Back, bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Cold-like symptoms (such as cough or sore throat)
These are not all the side effects you may have. Side effects can happen during treatment or after treatment stops. Tell your care team about any new or worsening symptoms.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-04
