Yervoy As a Treatment for Late-Stage Melanoma

Yervoy is the first drug that has been shown to help patients with late-stage melanoma live longer. This drug will not, however, cure this cancer. Classified as a monoclonal antibody, this drug is generally administered to patients with melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery or melanoma that has spread. This drug works by changing how your immune system works, telling your immune system to attack the skin cancer cells.

What are the Side Effects of Yervoy?

Yervoy is a powerful drug and with its power can come side effects. The most common are nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Diarrhea, hormone deficiencies, skin rash and inflammation of the intestines may also occur.

Various inflammations may occur as a result of using this drug. Such inflammations may cause a variety of symptoms, depending on where the inflammation is and how severe it is. These inflammations are considered serious and include intestinal inflammation, skin inflammation, hormone gland inflammation, liver inflammation, nerve inflammation and eye inflammation.

There are also some unusually severe side effects associated with this cancer drug. Approximately 13 percent of patients who have taken this drug experienced a fatal or severe autoimmune reaction.

Other side effects are possible.

What are the Contraindications with Yervoy?

Certain immune system disorders may be worsened by this drug. Some of these include Guillain-Barre syndrome, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, lupus and ulcerative colitis. Pregnancy should be avoided when using this drug as it could possibly harm your unborn child. Pregnancy risks may include premature delivery, stillbirth and death to your unborn baby. The risks with breastfeeding have not yet been established, so do not breastfeed when using this drug.

Other Contraindications are possible.

What are the Drug Interactions Associated with Yervoy?

You should tell your doctor about all immunosuppressing drugs and steroids that you take, and have taken, before taking this drug. You should also tell your doctor about all vitamins, non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements and other prescription drugs. Also, do not start a new medication when taking this drug without first talking to your doctor.

Other drug interactions are possible.

Is Yervoy Right for Me?

Only you can make this decision. You and your doctor should work together to make sure its benefits will outweigh the risks for you as an individual. Carefully consider the possible side effects, contraindications and drug interactions. The drug has been proven to lengthen the life-span of a large majority of patients who take it, but as with all things in medicine, nothing is guaranteed and complications may occur. Know the risks and work closely with your doctor, if you choose to make Yervoy part of your late-stage melanoma treatment plan.

Resources

RxList: Yervoy