Ipilimumab
What is ipilimumab?
Ipilimumab (YERVOY®) is an immunotherapy drug. It may also be called a checkpoint inhibitor. Your doctor will talk to you about this treatment and the possible side effects before you agree (consent) to have treatment.
It is best to read this information with our general information about the type of cancer you have.
More information about this treatment
This information is correct at time of publishing. But sometimes the types of cancer this treatment is used for, or treatment side effects, may change between revision dates.
You can talk to your cancer team if you want more detailed information about this treatment. Or visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website, which has patient information leaflets (PIL) for individual drugs.
How ipilimumab is given
You will be given Ipilimumab (YERVOY®) at a day unit as an outpatient. Ipilimumab can be given on its own or with other cancer drugs such as nivolumab.
During treatment you usually see a:
- cancer doctor
- specialist nurse
- specialist pharmacist.
This is who we mean when we mention doctor, nurse or pharmacist in this information.
Before, or on the day of, each treatment, a nurse or person trained to take blood (phlebotomist) may take a blood samples from you. These are to check that it is safe for you to have treatment.
You will speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you have treatment. They will talk to you about your blood results and ask how you have been feeling. If your blood results are okay, the pharmacy team will prepare your treatment.
Your treatment will be given over 30 to 90 minutes. Ipilimumab is given as a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion).
Your nurse usually gives you ipilimumab through:
- a cannula – a short, thin tube the nurse puts into a vein in your arm or hand
- a central line – a fine tube that goes under the skin of your chest and into a vein close by
- a PICC line – a fine tube that is put into a vein in your arm and goes up into a vein in your chest
- an implantable port (portacath) – a disc that is put under the skin on your chest or arm and goes into a vein in your chest.
Your course of treatment
How often you have ipilimumab, and for how long, will depend on the type of cancer you have. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will discuss your treatment plan with you.
It may also depend on how you respond to treatment, and if side effects can be managed. Sometimes treatment needs to be stopped or delayed for a while, because of blood test results or side effects.
About side effects
We explain the most common side effects of this treatment here. We also include some that are less common. This treatment can make the immune system too active. This can cause side effects that may be serious if not treated quickly.
You may get some of the side effects we mention, but you are unlikely to get all of them. And you may have some side effects, including rarer ones, that we have not listed here.
Other cancer treatments may cause different side effects. If you are also having other cancer treatment, you may have other side effects.
Do not try to treat side effects yourself. Always tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any side effects you have. They can give you:
- drugs to help control some side effects
- advice about managing side effects.
It is important to take any drugs exactly as explained. This means they will be more likely to work for you.
Serious and life-threatening side effects
Some cancer treatments can cause serious side effects. Sometimes, these may be life-threatening. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can explain the risk of these side effects to you.
Delayed side effects
This treatment may also cause delayed side effects. These can start weeks, months, or sometimes more than a year after you finish treatment.
If you have symptoms or side effects that start during treatment or after treatment ends, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number. Side effects can become serious if they are not treated.
Your patient alert card
They will also give you a card with information about your treatment. It is important to keep the card with you during treatment and after treatment ends. You should show it to any doctor or healthcare professional caring for you.
Contact the hospital
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will give you 24-hour contact numbers for the hospital. If you feel unwell or need advice, you can call at any time of the day or night. Save these numbers in your phone or keep them somewhere safe.
Side effects while treatment is being given
Allergic reaction
Some people have an allergic reaction while having this treatment. Signs of a reaction can include:
- feeling hot or flushed
- shivering
- itching
- a skin rash
- feeling dizzy or sick
- a headache
- feeling breathless or wheezy
- swelling of your face or mouth
- pain in your back, tummy or chest.
Your nurse will check you for signs of a reaction during your treatment. If you feel unwell or have any of these signs, tell them straight away. If you do have a reaction, they can treat it quickly.
Sometimes a reaction happens a few hours after treatment. If you develop any of these signs or feel unwell after you get home, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number.
Pain along the vein
This treatment can cause pain:
- at the place where the drip (infusion) is given
- along the vein.
If you feel pain, tell your nurse straight away. They can check the site. They may give the drug more slowly or flush it through with more fluid to reduce pain.
Immune system side effects
This treatment can make the immune system too active. This can cause the following side effects. Some of them are rare. But it is important to know about them.
Do not try to treat these side effects yourself. If you have these side effects during treatment or after it ends, always contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number.
Diarrhoea or tummy pain
You may have diarrhoea or tummy (abdominal) pain. This treatment can also cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis) which can be very serious.
Diarrhoea means passing more stools (poo) than is normal for you, or having watery or loose stools. If you have a stoma, it may be more active than usual.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of the following symptoms during treatment, or after treatment ends:
- You have diarrhoea 4 or more times in a day.
- You have a moderate increase in stoma activity.
- You have uncomfortable tummy cramps.
- You have diarrhoea at night.
- Your temperature is over 37.5°C.
- There is blood or mucus in your stool.
You may need to go into hospital to have fluids through a drip or treatments such as steroids.
Muscle and joint pain
This treatment can cause sore or weak muscles. Your joints may also be stiff, sore or swollen (arthritis). If you already have problems with joint pain, this may become worse. Contact the hospital on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during treatment or after it ends:
- new or worsening aches or pains
- new or worsening stiffness in a joint
- swollen joints.
You may need steroids or other treatments, such as painkillers.
Skin changes
This treatment may cause inflammation in the skin. This is usually mild, but can if it is not treated it can become serious. You may need creams, steroids or other medicines to treat skin problems. If you notice skin changes during treatment, or after treatment ends, contact the hospital on the 24-hour number as soon as possible. Skin changes can include:
- a rash or bumps on the skin
- dry or itchy skin
- patches of white or paler skin.
To protect your skin from the sun, use suncream with of at least SPF 30. SPF stands for sun protection factor. Cover up with clothing and a hat.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms:
- a rash that is spreading
- blistering or peeling skin
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and joint pain.
These symptoms can be a sign of a serious skin reaction that needs to be treated immediately in hospital.
Effects on the lungs
This treatment can cause inflammation of the lungs. This is called pneumonitis. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you notice any of these changes during treatment or after it ends:
- breathlessness
- a cough that does not go away
- wheezing
- a fever, with a temperature over 37.5°C.
You should also tell them if any existing breathing problems get worse. You may have tests to check your lungs. You may need steroids or other treatments.
Effects on the liver
This treatment can cause liver inflammation and may affect how your liver works. This is called hepatitis. You will have regular blood tests to check this. If the blood tests show liver changes, you may have steroids.
Sometimes liver changes can be serious. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during treatment or after it finishes:
- yellow skin or eyes
- feeling very sleepy
- dark urine (pee)
- unexplained bleeding or bruising
- pain in the right side of your tummy (abdomen)
- loss of appetite.
Effects on the nervous system
Rarely, this treatment can affect the brain and nerves. These effects may be mild at first, but can become serious if they are not treated. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during treatment or after it ends:
- any weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms, legs or face
- a headache that does not get better
- dizziness
- drowsiness or confusion
- problems with moving or speaking
- any unexplained pain in other parts of your body.
You may need steroids and other treatments.
Effects on the kidneys
This treatment can cause kidney inflammation and may affect how the kidneys work. This is called nephritis. This is not common, but if it is not treated it can become serious. You will have regular blood tests to check how your kidneys are working. If tests show kidney changes, you may have steroids or other treatments.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number during treatment, or after it ends, if you either:
- have blood in your urine (pee)
- are passing less urine or peeing less often than usual.
Hormone changes
This treatment may affect your hormones. Hormones control many different processes in the body. You will have regular blood tests to check some of your hormone levels. Contact the hospital on the 24-hour number if you have any of these side effects during treatment or after it ends:
- increased sweating
- weight gain or weight loss
- dizziness or fainting
- feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual
- loss of sex drive
- passing urine (peeing) more often than usual
- headaches that do not go away
- feeling more tired than usual (fatigue)
- mood changes.
You may need drugs to control your hormone levels.
Effects on the heart
This treatment can affect how the heart works. This is not common, but it can be serious. You may have tests to check how well your heart is working. These may be done before, during and after treatment.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during or after treatment:
- breathlessness
- dizziness
- changes to your heartbeat
- swollen feet and ankles.
Other conditions can cause these symptoms, but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.
Always call 999 if you have:
- chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest
- difficulty breathing.
If your symptoms are caused by this treatment, you may need steroids. You may be monitored in hospital for a time.
Feeling tired (fatigue)
Feeling tired is a common side effect of this treatment. Try to pace yourself and plan your day so you have time to rest. Gentle exercise, like short walks, can help you feel less tired.
Sometimes tiredness is caused by this treatment affecting glands that produce hormones. If your hormone levels are low, you may need hormone replacement drugs.
Contact your cancer team or hospital if either of these things happen during treatment or after it ends:
- your tiredness gets worse
- you feel weak or shaky.
If you feel sleepy, do not drive or use machinery.
Eyesight changes
This treatment can affect your eyes and eyesight. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during treatment or after it ends:
- sore, painful, or swollen eyes
- eyes that are sensitive to light
- changes to your eyesight.
You may need steroids or other treatments. A specialist eye doctor (ophthalmologist) may also need to check your eyes.
Other possible side effects
Low number of white blood cells
This treatment can reduce the number of white cells in your blood. These cells fight infection. If you have any signs of an infection, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. These signs include:
- a cough
- a sore throat
- diarrhoea
- needing to pass urine (pee) often, or discomfort when you pass urine.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms:
- a temperature above 37.5°C
- a temperature below 36°C
- you feel unwell, even with a normal temperature.
Feeling sick
Ipilimumab can make you feel sick. Your doctor can give you anti-sickness drugs. Always tell your doctor if you feel sick or if you are being sick (vomiting). They can give you other anti-sickness drugs that may work better for you.
Loss of appetite
This treatment can affect your appetite. Don’t worry if you do not eat much for 1 or 2 days. But if your appetite does not come back after a few days, or if you are losing weight, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They can give you advice. They may give you food or drink supplements. Or they may suggest changes to your diet or eating habits to help.
Sore mouth and throat
This treatment may cause a sore mouth and throat. You may also get mouth ulcers. This can make you more likely to get a mouth or throat infection. Use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth or dentures in the morning, at night and after meals.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number, if:
- a sore mouth or throat affects how much you can drink or eat
- your mouth, tongue, throat or lips have any blisters, ulcers or white patches.
They can give you advice, and mouthwash or medicines to help with the pain or to treat any infection. Follow their advice and make sure you:
- drink plenty of fluids
- avoid alcohol and tobacco
- avoid food or drinks that irritate your mouth and throat.
Constipation
This treatment can cause constipation. Constipation means that you are not able to pass stools (poo) as often as you normally do. It can become difficult or painful. Here are some tips that may help:
- Drink at least 2 litres (3½ pints) of fluids each day.
- Eat high-fibre foods, such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread.
- Do regular gentle exercise, like going for short walks.
If you have constipation, contact the hospital on the 24-hour number for advice. They can give you drugs called laxatives to help.
If you have not been able to pass stools for over 2 days and are being sick, contact the 24-hour number straight away.
Pain
You may get pain in the area of the cancer. Tell your doctor if this happens. They can prescribe painkillers or other medicines to help. Let them know if the pain does not get better.
Hair changes
Your hair may get thinner. Or you may notice changes in your hair colour during treatment. Your hair will grow back when treatment finishes. Your nurse can give you advice about coping with hair loss.
Fluid build-up
This treatment can cause a build-up of fluid in the body. This will slowly get better after treatment ends. Contact the hospital on the 24-hour number if you:
- are gaining weight
- have swelling in your face, legs or ankles.
They can give you advice and treatment to help.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
This treatment can reduce the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. If the number of red blood cells is low, this is called anaemia. You may feel:
- very low in energy
- breathless
- dizzy and light-headed.
If you have these symptoms, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number. You may need treatment for anaemia. If you are very anaemic, you may need a drip to give you extra red blood cells. This is called a blood transfusion.
Other information
Blood clot risk
Cancer and some cancer treatments can increase the risk of a blood clot. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during or after treatment:
- throbbing pain or swelling in a leg or arm
- reddening of the skin in the area – if you have black or brown skin, this can be harder to notice, but the skin might become darker
- suddenly feeling breathless or coughing.
Always call 999 if you have:
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing.
A blood clot is serious, but it can be treated with drugs called anticoagulants. These thin the blood. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more information about preventing and treating blood clots.
Other medicines
Some medicines can affect how this treatment works or be harmful while you are having it. Always tell your cancer doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any drugs you are taking or planning to take, such as:
- medicines you have been prescribed
- medicines you buy in a shop, pharmacy or online
- vitamins or supplements
- herbal drugs and complementary or homeopathic therapies
- recreational drugs – for example, cannabis.
Driving
Ipilimumab may affect your ability to drive. Do not drive if you:
- feel dizzy
- have blurred vision
- feel very tired.
Talk to your doctor if you need more information.
Vaccinations
Doctors usually recommend that people with cancer have vaccinations for flu and for coronavirus (covid). These help reduce your risk of serious illness from these infections. Most people can have these vaccines, including people with weak immune systems.
If your immune system is weak, you should not have live vaccinations. Live vaccines can make you unwell because they contain a very weak version of the illness they will protect you against. Live vaccines include Zostavax®, which is a shingles vaccine, and the yellow fever vaccine.
It is important to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice about having vaccinations. They can explain what vaccines are right for you and when it is best to have them.
Contraception
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will advise you not to get pregnant or make someone pregnant while having this treatment and for some time afterwards. The drugs may harm a developing baby. It is important to use contraception to prevent pregnancy. Follow their advice about:
- what types of contraception to use
- how long after treatment you should continue to use contraception.
Breastfeeding
You are advised not to breastfeed while having this treatment, or for some time after treatment ends. This is because the drugs could be passed to the baby through breast milk.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more information.
Fertility
Some cancer drugs can affect whether you can get pregnant or make someone pregnant. If you are worried about this, it is important to talk with your doctor before you start treatment.
Medical and dental treatment
If you need medical treatment for any reason other than cancer, always tell the healthcare professional that you are having cancer treatment. Show them your patient alert card. Give them the contact details for your cancer doctor or cancer team so they can ask for advice.
If you have appointments with a dentist or optician, always tell them you are having cancer treatment. Talk to your cancer team before you have any dental treatment.
About our information
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References
Visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) to download a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for more detailed information. The leaflet lists all known side effects.
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert health professionals and people living with cancer.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
The language we use
We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
- use plain English
- explain medical words
- use short sentences
- use illustrations to explain text
- structure the information clearly
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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.
Date reviewed
This content is currently being reviewed. New information will be coming soon.
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This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.