Key takeaways
- The typical recommended dosage of Opdivo (nivolumab) is 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. But your specific dosage may depend on your age, weight, and the type of cancer being treated.
- For some conditions, Opdivo may be given alone or with another medication, such as Yervoy (ipilimumab) or chemotherapy.
- Opdivo is given as an IV infusion that takes about 30 minutes to administer. The active ingredient in Opdivo, nivolumab, is also available as a brand-name injection called Opdivo Qvantig.
This article describes the dosages of Opdivo, as well as its strengths and how the drug is given.
Opdivo comes in single-use vials that contain a liquid solution. You’ll receive the drug as a 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion. A healthcare professional will give you the infusion.
Opdivo vs. Opdivo Qvantig
Nivolumab is available in two forms: Opdivo (IV infusions) and Opdivo Qvantig (subcutaneous injections). This article only describes the recommended dosages for Opdivo infusions. For more information about Opdivo Qantvig, see this article.
The strength of Opdivo is 10 milligrams (mg) per 1 milliliter (mL). It comes in vials containing the following amounts:
- 40 mg/4 mL
- 100 mg/10 mL
- 120 mg/12 mL
- 240 mg/24 mL
When prescribed alone, the usual dosage of Opdivo for adults is either:
- 240 mg every 2 weeks, or
- 480 mg every 4 weeks
Your dosing schedule may depend on your age, condition, and convenience. For most adults receiving Opdivo by itself, the drug is equally effective when received every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks.
If you have a preference for how frequently you’d like to receive your Opdivo infusions, talk with your doctor.
Yes, Opdivo’s dosage is different when given in combination with other treatments versus alone.
To treat certain kinds of cancer, you may receive Opdivo along with another medication, such as:
- ipilimumab (Yervoy)
- cabozantinib (Cabometyx, Cometriq)
- certain chemotherapy drugs
The table below outlines the typical recommended dosages of Opdivo with other medications.
| Condition | Opdivo dosage |
|---|---|
| melanoma | With ipilimumab: • 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses, then start receiving Opdivo alone |
| liver cancer | With ipilimumab: • 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses, then start receiving Opdivo alone |
| non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) | With ipilimumab: • 360 mg every 3 weeks With ipilimumab and chemotherapy: • 360 mg every 3 weeks |
| kidney cancer | With ipilimumab: • 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses, then start receiving Opdivo alone With cabozantinib: • 240 mg every 2 weeks, or • 480 mg every 4 weeks |
| esophageal cancer | With ipilimumab: • 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or • 360 mg every 3 weeks With fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based chemotherapy: • 240 mg every 2 weeks, or • 480 mg every 4 weeks |
| gastric cancer | With fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based chemotherapy: • 240 mg every 2 weeks, or • 360 mg every 3 weeks |
| colorectal cancer | With ipilimumab: • 240 mg every 3 weeks for four doses, then start receiving Opdivo alone |
| mesothelioma | With ipilimumab: • 360 mg every 3 weeks |
| bladder cancer | With cisplatin and gemcitabine: • 360 mg every 3 weeks |
You may receive more than one of these medications in combination with Opdivo. A healthcare professional may give you these medications at the same appointment as your Opdivo infusion or at a different appointment. Your doctor can provide detailed dosage schedules for all medications they prescribe for you.
Opdivo is prescribed to treat certain kinds of colorectal cancer and melanoma in children ages 12 years or older who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lb). For either kind of cancer, children may receive Opdivo by itself or with ipilimumab for the first four doses.
Dosage for colorectal cancer in children
| Weight range | Opdivo dosage |
|---|---|
| Children weighing 40 kg or more | First four doses with ipilimumab: • 240 mg once every 3 weeks Remaining doses (Opdivo alone): • 240 mg once every 2 weeks, or • 480 mg once every 4 weeks |
| Children weighing less than 40 kg | First four doses with ipilimumab: • 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks Remaining doses (Opdivo alone): • 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or • 6 mg/kg every 4 weeks |
Dosage for melanoma in children
| Weight range | Opdivo dosage |
|---|---|
| Children weighing 40 kg or more | First four doses with ipilimumab: • 240 mg once every 3 weeks Remaining doses (Opdivo alone): • 240 mg once every 2 weeks, or • 480 mg once every 4 weeks |
| Children weighing less than 40 kg | First four doses with ipilimumab: • 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks Remaining doses (Opdivo alone): • 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks, or • 6 mg/kg once every 4 weeks |
It’s important that you keep your appointments for your Opdivo treatments. If you think you’re going to miss an appointment, contact your doctor right away to reschedule.
If you need help remembering your Opdivo appointments, try marking your appointments on a calendar. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Medical PerspectiveEach Opdivo infusion usually takes about 30 minutes. But if you have certain side effects with Opdivo, the healthcare professional may slow down the infusion. This means your Opdivo infusion may last longer than 30 minutes.
If you have an infusion reaction with Opdivo, your healthcare professional may slow down your next infusion. This lowers your risk of having these side effects again. Your healthcare professional will let you know the length of time your Opdivo infusions will take.
Learn more about the side effects of Opdivo.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
