Ipilimumab
About
Ipilimumab is an anti-cancer medicine used in the treatment of various types of cancers. Cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells that divide uncontrollably. This medicine is used in treating metastatic melanoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma in combination with nivolumab, hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have previously been treated with sorafenib, colorectal cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Ipilimumab contains Ipilimumab, which belongs to the class of CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody. It works by inhibiting the action of a human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 molecule, thereby stopping the abnormal growth of cancer cells.
Ipilimumab may cause certain side effects such as diarrhoea, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, itching, rash, headache, fever, decreased weight, and dizziness. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects bother you. Ipilimumab will be administered by an oncologist with experience in administering chemotherapeutic agents in the hospital setting. Avoid self-administration.
If you are allergic to Ipilimumab or its components, inform your doctor. Before taking Ipilimumab, inform your doctor if you have/had liver or kidney disease, autoimmune disorders such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or a history of organ transplants. This medicine is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, it is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Ipilimumab.
Uses of Ipilimumab
Medicinal Benefits
Ipilimumab contains Ipilimumab, which is used in treating different types of cancers. It works by inhibiting the action of a human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 molecule (CTLA-4) that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells. This helps stop the abnormal growth of cancer cells and thus reduce the further spread to other parts of the body. In this way, Ipilimumab stops the body's production, spread and growth of cancerous cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ipilimumab
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Difficulty falling a sleep
- Muscle pain
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Itching
- Rash
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Ipilimumab for the period that your doctor has prescribed. Ipilimumab may cause severe immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMAR) such as immune-mediated colitis, hepatitis, nephritis, endocrinopathies, pneumonitis, and dermatologic reactions. It may also cause infusion-related reactions in some patients. Discontinue the treatment if any severe infusion reactions occur. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant before starting the treatment, as this medicine is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Caution should be exercised if you have/had liver or kidney disease, any history of organ transplant, gastrointestinal disorders and autoimmune disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease while receiving Ipilimumab. Breastfeeding should be discontinued in nursing mothers during the treatment as it passes into breast milk and may cause a possible risk to the infant. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ipilimumab may have interaction with anticoagulants (rivaroxaban, tinzaparin, warfarin, heparin), immunomodulator drugs (teriflunomide), anticancer drugs (pexidartinib, ado-trastuzumab emtansine), etc.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.
Dug-Disease Interactions: Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart problems, GI disorders, eye problems, dermatitis, or a weak immune system before starting the treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Ipilimumab interacts with alcohol. Consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeIpilimumab is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Ipilimumab. You should not become pregnant while you are taking Ipilimumab for at least 3 months from the last dose of Ipilimumab. Using effective birth control methods while on treatment with Ipilimumab is suggested.
Breast Feeding
unsafeInform your doctor if you are intending to breastfeed. Breastfeeding should be avoided while getting Ipilimumab and for 3 months following the final dosage.
Driving
not applicableIpilimumab will be administered to hospitalized patients.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver problems, tell your doctor before taking this medicine. Ipilimumab is known to cause hepatotoxicity when taken in combination with nivolumab. Notify your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes; severe nausea or vomiting; pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen); dark urine (tea-coloured); easier bleeding or bruising than usual. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function while on treatment with this medicine.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before taking Ipilimumab. It may cause kidney injury. Notify your doctor if you experience symptoms such as decreased urine output, blood in your urine, ankle edema, or lack of appetite.
Children
unsafeIpilimumab is not recommended for use in children below 12 years, as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps strengthen muscles, reduces fatigue, helps in weight loss, and gives strength. Gentle activities like 20-30 minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Getting adequate sleep as resting helps improve your health and mental ability and improves attention.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listening to soothing music.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, etc.
- Foods containing fibre help in better digestion. These include beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest periodic liver function tests, kidney function tests, and lung function tests to monitor the function of the liver, kidney and lungs due to the use of Ipilimumab.
- Using contraceptive pills while using Ipilimumab to prevent pregnancy is advised.
- Thyroid function and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels will be monitored during treatment to avoid any life-threatening side effects.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Renal Cell Carcinoma: Also known as kidney cancer. It is the most common type of cancer seen in adults. This condition occurs when cancer/ malignant cells grow uncontrollably in the kidney and form a tumor. Advanced kidney cancer (metastatic renal cell carcinoma) occurs when the malignant cells spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include red, orange, or pink-coloured urine due to the presence of blood in the urine.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Also known as liver cancer. It occurs when the cancer/ malignant cells grow out of control. This infects the liver, destroys the liver cells and affects the ability of the liver to work properly. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pale bowel motions.
Colorectal cancer: Also known as colon cancer (growth of cancer cells in the colon) or rectal cancer (cancer cells grow in the rectum area), is a condition in which the cancerous or malignant cells grow out of control in the colon or rectum. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, constipation, bloody stools, change in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, etc.
Metastatic Malignant Melanoma: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in which the cancer cells grow in melanocytes. It is mainly caused by harmful UV radiation from the sun. When the cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, it is known as Metastasis. Malignant melanoma is common in fair-skinned and freckled individuals. It results in mole formation, typically on the skin of the face.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma: It is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium (a lining that covers the outer surface of organs), predominantly caused by exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs include chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, persistent cough, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fever and sweating, particularly at night.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Lung cancer is defined as an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells disturb lung cell functions and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It happens when cells that form the lining of the lung start growing uncontrollably. Cancerous cells of the lung spread off and travel through the bloodstream to distant regions of the body and grow. It is mostly seen in persons who smoke. Symptoms may include chest pain, weight loss, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing.
FAQs
Ipilimumab contains Ipilimumab, which works by inhibiting the action of a human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) molecule that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells.
It is safe to use Ipilimumab in patients with diabetes. However, if you are diabetic, inform your doctor before starting the treatment with Ipilimumab.
