Medication Profile: Ipilimumab

Summary or Key Points

Ipilimumab is a medication primarily used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and more. It belongs to a class of drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. As with any medication, it comes with potential side effects and specific dosing instructions. Always consult with your healthcare provider, such as our available telemedicine experts, before adjusting your dosage.

Names of Medication

U.S. Brand Name: Yervoy (Ipilimumab)

The ‘generic name’ is the official medical name for the active ingredient in the medicine. It’s listed in parenthesis here (Ipilimumab) as it is the same no matter which brand of the medicine you have.

Pharmacologic Category

Ipilimumab falls under the category of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Other drugs in this category include Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo).

Dosing

IMPORTANT: Always consult your healthcare provider or one of our telemedicine professionals before making any adjustments to your medication regimen. Ipilimumab is used in the treatment of:

• Melanoma: Dosed at 3 mg/kg over 90 minutes every 3 weeks for a total of four doses.
• Renal Cell Carcinoma: Dosed at 1 mg/kg over 30 minutes every 3 weeks for four doses, followed by 240 mg every 2 weeks.
• Colorectal Cancer: Dosed at 1 mg/kg over 30 minutes every 6 weeks.
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Dosed at 3 mg/kg over 90 minutes every 3 weeks for four doses.
• Mesothelioma: Dosed at 1 mg/kg over 30 minutes every 3 weeks for four doses, followed by 240 mg every 2 weeks.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Ipilimumab is available as an injectable solution in the following strengths: 50 mg/10 mL, 200 mg/40 mL.

Administration Instructions

Ipilimumab is given by intravenous infusion over a specific period of time, depending on the dosage and indication. It should only be administered by a healthcare professional.

Adverse Reactions and Side Effects

While Ipilimumab can be effective in treating certain types of cancer, it may also cause side effects. Always report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider or connect with our telemedicine providers immediately. Potential side effects include:

• Fatigue: A common side effect (occurring in more than 10% of patients) characterized by feelings of tiredness or lack of energy.
• Rash: Often occurs (more than 10% of patients), may manifest as itchy, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin.
• Diarrhea: Can occur in a significant number of patients (between 10-30%).
• Liver problems: Less common (occurring in less than 10% of patients) but serious side effect which can be indicated by dark urine, light-colored stools, or yellowing of skin/eyes.
• Other side effects: Other less common side effects include endocrine disorders, inflammation of the intestines (colitis), and nerve problems, among others. Always consult a healthcare professional if you experience unusual symptoms.
• Endocrine disorders: These less common (occurring in less than 10% of patients) side effects may include symptoms such as persistent or unusual headache, unusual tiredness, mood changes, or weight changes.
• Inflammation of the intestines (colitis): A less common but serious side effect that can cause symptoms like diarrhea, blood in stool, and abdominal pain. If you have these symptoms, reach out to a healthcare professional immediately.
• Nerve problems: These less common side effects may cause symptoms like muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, or vision changes. Always consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with Ipilimumab will be unique and not everyone will experience these side effects. It’s crucial to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms. Our telemedicine service is an excellent resource for immediate attention and expert advice.

Contraindications

A contraindication refers to a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm it would cause the patient. Ipilimumab should not be used in the following situations:

• Patients with severe or life-threatening immune-related adverse reactions caused by Ipilimumab. Because it modulates the immune system, it can exacerbate these reactions.
• Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to Ipilimumab or any of its components. An allergic reaction may cause serious conditions such as anaphylaxis.

Drug to Drug Interactions

There are certain medications that may interact with Ipilimumab, which can affect how it works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Some of these include:

• Steroids such as Prednisone (Deltasone)
• Immunosuppressants like Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), Sirolimus (Rapamune), Tacrolimus (Prograf)
• Chemotherapy drugs

Ipilimumab in Pregnancy

The effects of Ipilimumab on a pregnant woman and her baby are not fully known, therefore it’s recommended to avoid its use during pregnancy. Always discuss your options with your healthcare provider or one of our telemedicine professionals.

Ipilimumab while Breastfeeding

It’s unclear whether Ipilimumab passes into breast milk. To be on the safe side, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Always consult with your healthcare provider or connect with our telemedicine professionals before making a decision.

Estimated Cost of Medication

The estimated cost of a 30-day supply of Ipilimumab, without insurance and using a GoodRx coupon, is approximately $120,000. Prices may vary depending on the pharmacy and location.

Possible Alternatives

While Ipilimumab is an effective medication for certain types of cancer, there may be alternative treatments or lifestyle changes that could help manage your condition. However, it’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider or a telemedicine professional before making changes to your treatment plan. Some possible alternatives per disease include:

• Melanoma: Other immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical removal of the tumor.
• Renal Cell Carcinoma: Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and nephrectomy.
• Colorectal Cancer: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies.
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Liver transplant, surgical resection, ablation therapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
• Mesothelioma: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Recent Updates on Ipilimumab Research

As of 2023, research is ongoing into new uses for Ipilimumab and its potential combination with other therapies for enhanced effectiveness. Some promising results have been seen in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and certain types of lymphomas. However, these are still in experimental stages and have not yet been approved for general use. Always stay in touch with your healthcare provider or our telemedicine team to stay informed about the most recent and relevant updates in cancer treatment.

Brief Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Reliance on the information provided here is at your own risk.