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Overview: Opdualag is used to treat a type of skin cancer called melanoma. It works by helping your immune system find and attack cancer cells. Common side effects include muscle or bone pain, tiredness, rash, itchiness, and diarrhea. Contact your health care provider if you have new or worsening cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or changes in urination. Get help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic or infusion reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, or severe dizziness during or after your infusion.

Uses

What is Opdualag used for?

Opdualag (nivolumab/relatlimab-rmbw) is commonly used to treat a type of skin cancer called melanoma. 

Learn more about Opdualag for melanoma.

Opdualag may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Opdualag work (mechanism of action)?

Opdualag is a type of medicine called immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works by helping body’s own immune system find and attack cancer cells. 

How is Opdualag supplied (dosage forms)?

Opdualag is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Opdualag?

Opdualag is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Opdualag?

The most common side effects of Opdualag are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Tiredness
  • Rash
  • Itching 
  • Diarrhea
  • Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) 
  • Low red blood cell levels (anemia) and white blood cell levels
  • Liver damage (see below)

There may be other side effects of Opdualag that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Opdualag?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Opdualag are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Opdualag may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Infusion Reactions. Opdualag can cause infusion reactions that can be serious and even life-threatening when it is given to you. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms during or after your infusion.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Itching, rash, or flushing
  • Fever, chills, or shaking
  • Back or neck pain

Immune System Reactions. Opdualag may cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues or organs, causing inflammation. When tissues or organs become inflamed, they may not work as well as they should. These side effects of immunotherapy can lead to serious or even life-threatening problems. You may be able to prevent these problems from getting more serious if you get medical help right away. Keep all appointments to check your blood work. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, even if you are no longer taking this medicine.

  • Inflamed lungs (pneumonitis): Chest pain, shortness of breath, or new or worsening cough
  • Inflamed intestines (colitis): Severe stomach pain, diarrhea, blood or mucus in your stool or black, tarry stools
  • Inflamed liver (hepatitis): Severe nausea or vomiting, stomach pain on your right side, yellowish eyes or skin, dark urine (pee), or easy bleeding or bruising
  • Inflamed hormone glands (adrenal insufficiency, thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes): Headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, tiredness, weight gain or loss, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior, peeing more than usual, feeling cold
  • Inflamed kidneys (nephritis): Peeing less than usual, bloody urine (pee), or swelling in your ankles
  • Skin inflammation (dermatitis): Skin rash, itching, blistering, or peeling or painful sores in your mouth, nose, throat, or genitals
  • Heart or blood vessel inflammation: Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Inflamed nerves: Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms or legs 
  • Inflamed muscles or joints: Pain, swelling, or stiffness in your muscles or joints
  • Inflamed eye (uveitis): Blurred or double vision, eye pain or redness, sensitivity to light, vision loss
  • Inflamed brain (encephalitis): Stiff neck, balance or memory problems, or confusion

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Opdualag?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Opdualag.

  • Opdualag
  • Nivolumab
  • Relatlimab-rmbw
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Opdualag.

What should I know about Opdualag before using it?

Opdualag will be given to you by a health care provider through an intravenous (IV) infusion that goes into your vein. Your health care provider will tell you how many treatments you will need. 

Keep all appointments to check your blood work so that your health care provider can check for side effects.

Do not use Opdualag unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. 

Opdualag will be given to you by a health care provider in a hospital, clinic, or infusion center. They will store and prepare the medicine for your dose.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Opdualag?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Opdualag is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Organ Transplant. Tell your health care provider if you have received an organ transplant. 

Stem Cell Transplant. Tell your health care provider if you have received or plan on receiving a stem cell transplant that uses donor cells (allogeneic).

Pregnancy. Opdualag may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using Opdualag and for at least 5 months after your last dose. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Opdualag passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while using Opdualag and for 5 months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

How can I get more information about Opdualag?

For more information about Opdualag, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.opdualag.com or call them at 855-OPDUALAG (855-673-8252).

Interactions

Does Opdualag interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Opdualag and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Opdualag.

Does Opdualag interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Opdualag and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Opdualag?

If you or someone else has used too much Opdualag, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Opdualag?

Opdualag is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Opdualag as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your Opdualag dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.