Ipilimumab (Nurse)
Medication Basics
Drug Name
Ipilimumab (Brand names: Yervoy®)
Purpose / Indication
Used to treat certain cancers such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other indications, often in combination with nivolumab. Verify indication, regimen, line of therapy, biomarker requirements, and institutional protocol before administration.
Dosage & Administration
Dose Schedule
Given as an intravenous infusion on a protocol-specific schedule. It may be given alone or in combination with nivolumab depending on diagnosis and treatment plan.
Route
IV (Intravenous)
Timing Considerations
Confirm treatment plan, cycle timing, combination agents, hold parameters, infusion duration, and any required pre-infusion assessments before administration.
Time of Day
Flexible
Special Instructions
Assess baseline symptoms, review labs, confirm consent, educate on immune-related or targeted-therapy toxicities, and follow institutional hypersensitivity/infusion reaction procedures.
Injection Techniques
Administer by IV infusion per institutional policy and current prescribing information. Do not administer IV push or bolus unless specifically supported by policy.
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism
Ipilimumab is a CTLA-4 blocking antibody that augments T-cell activation and proliferation. It has a notable risk of immune-mediated toxicities requiring prompt assessment and management.