Opdivo (nivolumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of cancer. Specifically, Opdivo can be used to treat certain forms of:

Opdivo is available as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. It belongs to a group of medications called programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibodies.

Opdivo is a biologic medication. Currently, there’s no biosimilar version of Opdivo.

You may take Opdivo in combination with other medications. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take Opdivo alone.

For information about the dosage of Opdivo, including its strengths and how you’ll receive the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Opdivo, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Opdivo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But your doctor will prescribe the Opdivo dosage that’s right for you.

Before you start taking Opdivo, your doctor will help you determine the best dose for you to take.

Opdivo form

Opdivo comes as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional.

Opdivo strengths

Opdivo comes in four strengths:

  • 40 milligrams (mg) per 4 milliliters (mL) of solution
  • 100 mg per 10 mL of solution
  • 120 mg per 12 mL of solution
  • 240 mg per 24 mL of solution

Typical dosages

Your doctor will recommend the best dosing schedule for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer

Your doctor may recommend receiving Opdivo in combination with other treatments for your non-small cell lung cancer. For metastatic lung cancer (cancer that has spread to other areas), your doctor will likely recommend a dose of 360 mg every 3 weeks. They’ll likely prescribe the same dosage for lung cancer that has come back. You’ll receive Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy) and 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

If you’re receiving Opdivo alone, the recommended dose is a fixed dose of either 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

Your doctor may also test your cancer cells to see if they carry a certain protein called PD-L1. If you have metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has PD-L1 proteins, your doctor may recommend a dosage based on your body weight. In this case, the dose is 3 mg per kilogram (kg)* of body weight, given every 2 weeks in combination with ipilimumab. For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your dose would be 210 mg every 2 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for mesothelioma

Opdivo is used to treat pleural mesothelioma (a type of mesothelioma that affects the lungs or chest). The recommended dosage for this use is 360 mg every 3 weeks. To treat mesothelioma, Opdivo should be given in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy).

Dosage for melanoma

If you’re receiving Opdivo alone to treat melanoma, your dose may be based on your specific cancer.

If your melanoma cannot be surgically removed or has spread to other areas of your body, the typical dosage is 240 mg every 2 weeks. Or your doctor may recommend a monthly dosing of 480 mg every 4 weeks.

If you’re receiving Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab, your dose will likely be calculated based on your body weight. The recommended dosage is 1 mg per kg* of body weight, given every 3 weeks. For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your dose will be 70 mg every 3 weeks. You’ll receive this dose for 4 doses. After 4 doses, your doctor will recommend a dosage change of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. At this point, you’ll take Opdivo alone.

If you have already had treatment for melanoma, such as surgery to remove it, your doctor may recommend a different dose of Opdivo. In this case, your dose will likely be 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for kidney cancer

If you’re receiving Opdivo alone for kidney cancer, the usual dosage is 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

For treatment of kidney cancer with Opdivo in combination with other medications, your dose depends on which medications you’re taking. If you’re taking Opdivo and ipilimumab (Yervoy) together, your dose of Opdivo is based on your body weight. The recommended dose is 3 mg per kg* of body weight, given every 3 weeks.

So, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your dose will be 210 mg every 3 weeks. You’ll likely receive this combination for 4 doses. Then, your doctor will recommend a dosage update to 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. At this time, you’ll take Opdivo alone.

If you’re receiving Opdivo in combination with cabozantinib (Cometriq), your doctor will recommend a dosage of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for classical Hodgkin lymphoma

The usual dosage of Opdivo to treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma is 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. To treat Hodgkin lymphoma, Opdivo should be used alone.

Dosage for head and neck cancer

To treat head and neck cancer, your doctor will recommend a dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. You’ll receive Opdivo alone for this condition.

Dosage for bladder cancer

If you’re taking Opdivo to treat bladder cancer, the recommended dosage is 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. You’ll receive Opdivo alone for this condition.

Dosage for colorectal cancer

If you have colorectal cancer and you are taking Opdivo alone, your doctor may recommend a dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you receive Opdivo in combination with other medications to treat colorectal cancer. Your doctor will likely prescribe a starting dose of 3 mg per kg* of body weight if you’re taking Opdivo along with another treatment. So, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your starting dose will be 210 mg every 3 weeks. You’ll likely receive Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy) for 4 doses.

After 4 doses of this combination, your dose of Opdivo will change to 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for liver cancer

For treatment of liver cancer, you’ll receive Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy). You’ll likely take this combination of medications for 4 doses. Your dose of Opdivo will be 1 mg per kg* of body weight, given every 3 weeks. So, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your dose of Opdivo is 70 mg every 3 weeks.

After completing 4 doses of Opdivo and ipilimumab, you’ll stop taking ipilimumab and begin taking Opdivo alone. At this point, your dose of Opdivo will be changed to 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Dosage for esophageal cancer or stomach cancer

If you’re treating esophageal cancer or stomach cancer with Opdivo, you may take Opdivo alone or in combination with other medications.

If you’re receiving Opdivo alone, your doctor will recommend a dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. If you have stomach or esophageal cancer that was removed or treated with other medications before Opdivo, your doctor may recommend taking this dose for 16 weeks. Then, you’ll likely take 480 mg every 4 weeks for 1 year.

If you receive Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy, your dose will be 240 mg every 2 weeks or 360 mg every 3 weeks. In this case, you’ll receive Opdivo together with chemotherapy that includes fluoropyrimidine and platinum.

Children’s dosage

Opdivo is approved for children ages 12 years and older with colorectal cancer. In this case, it can be used alone or in combination with other medications.

If your child receives Opdivo alone to treat colorectal cancer, their dosage will depend on their body weight. If you child weighs 40 kg* (about 88 lb) or more, the recommended dose is either 240 mg every week or 480 mg every 4 weeks. If your child weighs less than 40 kg, their dose will be 3 mg per kg of body weight, given every 2 weeks. So, if your child weighs 20 kg (about 44 lb), their dose would be 60 mg every 2 weeks.

In some cases, your child’s doctor may recommend taking Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy). In this case, they’ll take a dose of Opdivo together with ipilimumab for 4 doses. The typical dose of Opdivo is 3 mg per kg of body weight, given every 3 weeks. After 4 doses of combination treatment, the doctor may recommend stopping ipilimumab. If you child weighs 40 kg or more, they’ll continue with a dose of 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. If they weigh less than 40 kg, they’ll continue receiving a dose of 3 mg per kg of body weight, given every 2 weeks.

Opdivo is not approved for any other uses in children.

* 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Long-term use

Opdivo is meant to be used as a long-term treatment.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you continue receiving Opdivo for up to 1 to 2 years, depending on your type of cancer. If your cancer begins to get worse or you have side effects that are bothersome to you, your doctor may stop your Opdivo treatment.

If you and your doctor determine that Opdivo is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Opdivo comes as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional.

You’ll receive your dose of Opdivo at your doctor’s office or an infusion suite, or in a hospital. Your infusion will last 30 minutes.

Before receiving your first dose of Opdivo, your doctor will discuss dosage and administration of the medication with you. If you have any additional questions about how Opdivo is given, talk with your doctor.

The Opdivo dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Opdivo to treat
  • your age and body weight
  • if you’re taking other medications in combination with Opdivo

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Opdivo dosage.

If you miss an appointment to have your dose of Opdivo, call your doctor’s office. They can help schedule your next dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Opdivo for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Opdivo that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Opdivo. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.