Yervoy

Generic name:ipilimumab [ IP-i-LIM-ue-mab ]
Drug class:Anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies

Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Nov 10, 2020.

What is Yervoy?

Yervoy is a cancer medicine that is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer such as:

• skin cancer (melanoma);

• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC);

• pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest wall);

• kidney cancer;

• liver cancer; or

• colorectal cancer that has certain specific DNA mutations.

Yervoy is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or cannot be surgically removed, or has come back after prior treatment.

Yervoy may prevent melanoma from coming back after surgery, including lymph node removal surgery.

Yervoy is given for NSCLC only if your tumor tests positive for "PD-L1" and does not have an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" (a specific genetic marker).

Warnings

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions may occur during treatment with Yervoy, or months after stopping. Call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, vision changes, severe muscle pain or weakness, diarrhea and severe stomach pain, blood in your stools, little or no urinating, swelling, bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, confusion, hallucinations, a seizure, skin blistering, or a hormonal disorder (frequent headaches, feeling light-headed, increased thirst or urinati...