What are the most common side effects of nivolumab?

How common are the side effects of nivolumab?
Nivolumab produces immune-related adverse events in roughly 20–40 % of patients. Fatigue, rash, and diarrhea occur most often, each affecting 10–20 % of treated individuals.

What side effects prompt patients to stop treatment?
Severe fatigue, colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, and endocrine disorders lead to discontinuation in 5–10 % of cases. Most resolve after drug interruption and steroids.

How do side-effect rates differ from ipilimumab or pembrolizumab?
Compared with ipilimumab, nivolumab shows lower rates of severe colitis and rash. Versus pembrolizumab, rates of fatigue and hypothyroidism are nearly identical.

When do side effects usually appear?
Skin reactions and mild diarrhea often begin within the first 2–4 weeks. Liver enzyme elevations and endocrine issues typically surface between weeks 6 and 12.

What long-term or delayed effects are reported?
Hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency can develop or persist months after stopping nivolumab. Late-onset pneumonitis is rare but documented up to a year later.

Can patients continue treatment while managing side effects?
Mild or moderate events are often handled with supportive care or low-dose steroids, allowing therapy to resume. Grade 3–4 toxicities generally require permanent discontinuation.

Who makes nivolumab and where can current safety data be found?
Bristol-Myers Squibb manufactures nivolumab (Opdivo). Updated adverse-event summaries appear on DrugPatentWatch.com and the product label.