Key takeaways
- Yervoy (ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug used to treat various cancer types in adults, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer. It’s also approved for certain melanoma and colorectal cancer cases in children ages 12 years and older.
- Yervoy dosage is based on body weight in kilograms (kg) and varies by cancer type, ranging from 1 milligram per kg (mg/kg) to 3 mg/kg. It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes, typically every 3 or 6 weeks, and is often used in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo).
- Treatment duration depends on the cancer type: up to four doses for colorectal, liver, kidney, and metastatic melanoma; up to 60 weeks for adjuvant melanoma treatment; and up to 2 years for lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer, as long as treatment remains safe and effective.
Yervoy is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a wide range of cancer types in adults. It’s also used to treat certain types of melanoma and colorectal cancer in children ages 12 years and older.
The drug comes as a liquid solution in a vial. It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time).
The active ingredient in Yervoy is ipilimumab. Yervoy is a kind of immunotherapy, which means it helps your immune system fight cancer. It belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.
Note: This article covers Yervoy’s usual dosing schedules, which the drug’s manufacturer provides. Your doctor will prescribe the Yervoy dosage that’s right for you.
Yervoy comes as a liquid solution in a vial. It comes in one strength of 5 milligrams (mg) per 1 milliliter (mL) of solution and is available in two sizes:
- 50 mg per 10-mL vial
- 200 mg per 40-mL vial
Yervoy is given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office or clinic. The IV infusion administration time (how long it takes to receive your infusion) is usually 30 minutes. However, your dosage and administration time may depend on whether you experience side effects from the infusion treatment.
Your doctor or the healthcare professional administering your dose will monitor you carefully during and after your infusion.
The dosage of Yervoy you’re prescribed may depend on several factors such as your body weight in kilograms (kg) and the type and severity of the condition you’re using it to treat.
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 (NSCLC)
The NSCLC dosing of Yervoy is based on your body weight and certain other factors. It’s used along with other medications to treat certain kinds of NSCLC.
The dosage of Yervoy is 1 mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight. This is given once every 6 weeks for up to 2 years based on how you respond to treatment.
Yervoy is used along with nivolumab (Opdivo) as a first-line treatment in certain people with NSCLC that is metastatic. (This means the NSCLC has spread from the lungs to other areas of the body.)
It’s also prescribed as a first-line treatment in certain people whose NSCLC has spread or returned after another treatment. But in these cases, it’s used with both Opdivo and two cycles of chemotherapy.
When used in combination with Yervoy, Opdivo is given at a dose of 360 mg every 3 weeks.
Dosage for melanoma
The dosing for melanoma depends on the kind of melanoma and your body weight. It may be used alone or in combination with another treatment.
- The dosing of Yervoy for melanoma that can’t be removed with surgery or is metastatic (has spread to other areas of the body) is 3 mg/kg. It’s given every 3 weeks for up to four doses, either alone or with Opdivo. After completing these initial doses, treatment is continued with Opdivo alone. Your doctor may give this as an IV infusion or an injection under your skin (Opdivo Qvantig). The injection takes only 3 to 5 minutes, compared with 30 minutes for the infusion. Maintenance doses are typically given every 2, 3, or 4 weeks.
- Yervoy can also be used to prevent cancer from returning following surgery to remove the melanoma and cancerous lymph nodes. For this use, the dosing schedule is 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to four doses. Then the dosing schedule is 3 mg/kg once every 12 weeks for up to four doses.
Dosage for colorectal cancer
Yervoy is used to treat colorectal cancer that has certain traits. It’s used along with another type of medication when your colorectal cancer:
- has certain gene mutations (changes)
- is metastatic
The dosing of Yervoy for colorectal cancer is 1 mg/kg once every 3 weeks for a maximum of four doses. It’s used in combination with Opdivo. After completing these initial doses, treatment is continued with Opdivo alone. Your doctor may give this as an IV infusion or an injection under your skin (Opdivo Qvantig). The injection takes only 3 to 5 minutes, compared with 30 minutes for the infusion. Maintenance doses are typically given every 2, 3, or 4 weeks for up to 2 years.
Note: Yervoy is used for colorectal cancer that is metastatic and has certain traits, specifically microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR). It can be used as a first treatment or after other treatments have been tried.
Dosage for kidney cancer
Yervoy is used to treat kidney cancer that:
- is advanced (has spread to nearby parts of your body) and
- has a moderate or low risk of getting better
The dosing is 1 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. It’s used along with another drug called Opdivo.
Yervoy is given for up to a maximum of four doses for this use. After completing these initial doses, treatment is continued with Opdivo alone. Your doctor may give this as an IV infusion or an injection under your skin (Opdivo Qvantig). The injection takes only 3 to 5 minutes, compared with 30 minutes for the infusion. Maintenance doses are typically given every 2, 3, or 4 weeks.
Dosage for liver cancer
Yervoy is used in combination with Opdivo to treat a certain kind of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. The dosing of Yervoy for this use is 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks for up to four doses. After completing these initial doses, treatment is continued with Opdivo alone. Your doctor may give this as an IV infusion or an injection under your skin (Opdivo Qvantig). The injection takes only 3 to 5 minutes, compared with 30 minutes for the infusion. Maintenance doses are typically given every 2, 3, or 4 weeks.
Note: This combination of Yervoy and Opdivo can be used as a first-line treatment for liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread. It’s also used in people who have previously received treatment with sorafenib (Nexavar).
Dosage for pleural mesothelioma
Yervoy is used to treat pleural mesothelioma (a kind of lung cancer that affects the outer lining of the lungs and chest) that can’t be removed with surgery. This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.
The dosing is 1 mg/kg once every 6 weeks. Yervoy is used together with Opdivo for pleural mesothelioma. In this combination, Opdivo is given at a dose of 360 mg every 3 weeks. These medications may be used for up to 2 years, as long as they’re safely and effectively treating your cancer.
Dosage for esophageal cancer
Yervoy is used to treat a type of called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that is either advanced or metastatic and can’t be removed by surgery.
The dosing for this type of cancer is 1 mg/kg once every 6 weeks. In this case, Yervoy is used together with Opdivo, which is given at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 360 mg every 3 weeks. These medications may be used for up to 2 years, as long as they’re safely and effectively treating your cancer.
What’s the dosage of Yervoy for children?
Yervoy is used to treat certain kinds of cancer in children ages 12 years and older. These cancers include:
- Melanoma that is metastatic or cannot be removed with surgery. The dosage for melanoma in children is the same as that used in adults. (See “Dosage for melanoma” for details.)
- Colorectal cancer that has certain traits (MSI-H or dMMR). The dosage of Yervoy for children weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more is the same as for adults. (See “Dosage for colorectal cancer” for details.) For children weighing less than 40 kg, the Yervoy dosage remains 1 mg/kg, but the dosage of the accompanying drug (Opdivo) or (Opdivo Qvantig) varies in dosage. See the prescribing information for details or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Yervoy used long term?
Yervoy may be used as a long-term treatment for some kinds of cancer. How long your Yervoy treatment lasts depends on the type of cancer it’s being used to treat and other factors.
- For adjuvant treatment of melanoma, you may receive treatment for up to 60 weeks, as long as it’s safe and effective for you. Adjuvant treatment is used to reduce the risk of cancer coming back after another type of treatment, such as surgery.
- For lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer, Yervoy may be used for up to 2 years, as long as it’s safe and effective for you.
Yervoy is not used long term for all types of cancer. You may receive up to a maximum of four doses of Yervoy to treat the following:
- colorectal cancer
- liver cancer
- kidney cancer
- melanoma that’s metastatic or that can’t be removed with surgery
Dosage adjustments
Dosage adjustments of Yervoy are usually not needed. But the rate at which you receive your IV infusion may need to be adjusted in certain cases.
For example, if you have serious side effects while receiving your Yervoy infusion, your doctor may pause or slow your treatment until your symptoms decrease. They may also stop your treatment completely if you have a severe reaction.
Your doctor can provide more information about any adjustments you may need.
Yervoy is given at a doctor’s office or clinic by a healthcare professional. They’ll likely schedule your appointments. If you miss your regularly scheduled dose, call your doctor’s office. They’ll help you reschedule your appointment so you can receive your missed dose.
Yervoy (ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug used to treat a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, kidney, liver, lung, and colorectal. Yervoy is given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion, which usually lasts 30 minutes.
Your specific dosage (typically 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg) is based on your body weight and the type of cancer being treated. In many cases, Yervoy is used in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo), which may be continued on its own once the initial Yervoy doses are complete.
Because Yervoy works by activating your immune system, it’s critical that you make all your scheduled appointments and immediately report any new symptoms to your doctor so they can help manage potential side effects.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.
