OPDIVO® (nivolumab)/YERVOY® (ipilimumab) ACTION PLAN

The content in this action plan is intended to aid you in educating your patient with melanoma about the Opdivo/Yervoy combination regimen. In addition, the customizable content provides key written information for patients so that they can recognize immune-related adverse events at an early stage and seek appropriate care. Below is a brief description of the different pages available to you and how to use them. Whether you print this whole action plan or just certain sections, we trust that you will find this resource from the MNI a helpful companion to our healthcare provider materials.


Pages/Sections

You can choose to print whichever pages/sections you would like. You also have the option of reading the annotations for each page before printing or just selecting the specific pages by title below, and downloading.

You can also download all of the pages as a multi-page pdf by clicking here.

ACTION PLAN COVER

This is a cover page for the oncology team member to fill out for the patient. It contains the patient’s name, the date, a list of the side effects discussed, and key points. It also contains Merck-specific resources. With this tool, you can create customized notes to guide your patients on their treatment journey.

Download The ACTION PLAN COVER PAGE

TAKING THE MEDICATION

This page provides specific information about the Opdivo/Yervoy regimen. It includes a review of signs/symptoms of an allergic reaction as well as a review of common and important side effects associated with Opdivo/Yervoy. It explains that you may provide pages on specific side effects that you are concerned about—thus creating customized content for each patient.

Download The TAKING THE MEDICATION PAGE

LUNG AND BREATHING PROBLEMS

This page discusses lung problems and is the first of the detailed pages on side effects associated with Opdivo/Yervoy. It defines some of the symptoms suggestive of pneumonitis and instructs the patient about what to report to your team. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Lungs lists things patients can do to keep their lungs healthy during treatment.

Download The LUNG AND BREATHING PROBLEMS PAGE

DIGESTIVE/STOMACH PROBLEMS

This page discusses the GI toxicities of diarrhea and colitis, immune-related adverse events that have been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy. It defines the relevant GI symptoms and instructs the patient about what to report to your team. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Digestive System lists things patients can do to keep their GI system healthy during treatment and reinforces the importance of reporting any episodes of diarrhea immediately.

Download The DIGESTIVE/STOMACH PROBLEMS PAGE

KIDNEY PROBLEMS

This page discusses nephritis, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. It defines the symptoms of nephritis and instructs the patient about what to report to your team. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Kidneys lists things patients can do to keep their kidneys healthy during treatment.

Download The KIDNEY PROBLEMS PAGE

SKIN CHANGES

This page discusses skin changes that can occur with Opdivo/Yervoy, including rash, pruritus, and blistering. The Red Flags section describes skin symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Skin provides specific steps patients can take to prevent skin toxicities as well as self-management strategies they can implement at home.

Download The SKIN CHANGES PAGE

MOUTH PROBLEMS

This page discusses oral issues that occur with Opdivo/Yervoy, including mucositis and xerostomia. The Red Flags section describes oral symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Mouth lists steps patients can take to manage these immune-related adverse events at home.

Download The MOUTH PROBLEMS PAGE

LIVER PROBLEMS

This page discusses hepatotoxicity, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of hepatotoxicity that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Liver lists things patients can do to keep their liver healthy during treatment.

Download The LIVER PROBLEMS PAGE

PITUITARY GLAND PROBLEMS

This page discusses hypophysitis, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of hypophysitis that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Pituitary Gland lists things patients can do to keep their pituitary gland healthy during treatment.

Download The PITUITARY GLAND PROBLEMS PAGE

THYROID PROBLEMS

This page discusses thyroiditis, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of thyroiditis that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Thyroid Gland lists things patients can do to keep their thyroid healthy during treatment.

Download The THYROID PROBLEMS PAGE

DIABETES

This page discusses type 1 diabetes mellitus, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of diabetes that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Taking Care of Your Pancreas lists specific steps patients can take to keep their pancreas healthy during treatment.

Download The DIABETES PAGE

NERVE PROBLEMS

This page discusses neuropathy, an immune-related adverse event that has been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of neuropathy that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department.

Download The NERVE PROBLEMS PAGE

JOINT PAIN, SWELLING, OR STIFFNESS

This page discusses arthritis and arthralgia, immune-related adverse events that have been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. The Red Flags section describes symptoms of arthritis and arthralgia that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects lists steps patients can take to keep their joints healthy during treatment, including home remedies for these joint issues.

Download The JOINT PAIN, SWELLING, OR STIFFNESS PAGE

OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR

This section provides a list of additional side effects that have been associated with Opdivo/Yervoy. You can customize this page by checking off specific side effects that you are concerned about, given the patient’s comorbidities, prior treatments, or other issues. The side effects are listed in alphabetical order and again, there are instructions about red-flag symptoms that prompt immediate action.

Download The OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR PAGE 1 OF 2

 

Download The OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR PAGE 2 OF 2

RESOURCES

This page provides specific phone and internet resources provided by Merck for patients taking Opdivo/Yervoy. It also includes additional immunotherapy resources from AIM at Melanoma Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Download The RESOURCES PAGE