Ipilimumab Injection

Conditions Treated

Ipilimumab injection is used to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer) that cannot be treated with surgery or that has spread to other parts of the body. Ipilimumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by helping the body to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Ipilimumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Ipilimumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over 90 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. It is usually given once every 3 weeks for up to four doses.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before receiving ipilimumab injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ipilimumab injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ipilimumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention medications that suppress your immune system, including oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and prednisolone (Prelone). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have ever had an organ transplant and if you have or have ever had an autoimmune disease (condition in which the immune system attacks a healthy part of the body) such as Crohn's disease (condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis (condition in which sores form on the lining of the large intestine), lupus (a condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys), or sarcoidosis (condition in which clumps of abnormal cells grow in various parts of the body including the lungs, skin, and eyes), or if your liver has been damaged by a medication or an illness.