What are side affects and results of taking immunotherapy drug Opdivo?

Hi ,

Thanks for your question! More information on Opdivo and its possible side effects is available here: https://lungcancer.net/medications/opdivo-reviews-how-well-works-side-effects side effects often vary by person, and side effects often go away once treatment is completed - we always recommend keeping your doctor updated with any you may experience at any point, as they may be able to help manage them and keep you feeling as good as possible. One of our writers wrote about her experience on Opdivo here, too: https://lungcancer.net/living/my-immunotherapy-experience Thinking of you! Please do keep us updated if you would like to.

Warmly,
Margot, LungCancer.net Team Member

Hi Mary, I was on Opdivo by itself for 14 months, and then in combination with a trial drug for another 13 months after that. For me, and many others who I've spoken with who have also been on it, the side effects of Opdivo by itself were very mild when compared to other drug treatments I've taken through this lung cancer experience. As with any drug, quite a few side effects are "possible", some could even be serious, as you note, but I think it is safe to say that this has certainly been the exception rather than the rule.

When making decisions about which potential therapy to use, it is important to consider the side effects, but not to get wrapped up in the one or two bad reviews "if" there are many countering views on the treatment to offset that.

Like all lung cancer treatments, Opdivo is not a panacea and will not work well for all patients, but for those patients who are the right fit for it, well, it can have very good results, often for significant lengths of time. Also, if you haven't already done so, perhaps you would want to ask your doctor about Keytruda or Tecentriq if he/she wants you to go the immunotherapy route. Just my personal opinion.