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YERVOY

ipilimumab · Injection

Prescription Biologic BLA Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
YERVOY
Generic name
ipilimumab
Dosage form
Injection
Route
Intravenous
Marketing category
BLA · BLA
Labeler
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
2
Packages
2
Data completeness
74% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Ipilimumab 5 mg/mL 1657005 —

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Injection
Route of administration
Intravenous
Presentations
4

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
CTLA-4-directed Antibody Interactions [MoA] MoA 2 members — no class page
CTLA-4-directed Blocking Antibody [EPC] EPC 2 members — no class page
Increased T Lymphocyte Activation [PE] PE 2 members — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
125377
Application type
BLA · Biologics License Application
Approval date
March 25, 2011
Sponsor
BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
40
Products approved under application 125377.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
125377-001 YERVOY INJECTABLE IPILIMUMAB Prescription —

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 125377.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 140 Labeling Approved August 31, 2026 Standard
Supplement 138 Labeling Approved June 12, 2026 Standard
Supplement 136 Efficacy Approved May 23, 2025 Priority
Supplement 133 Efficacy Approved April 11, 2025 Standard
Supplement 135 Efficacy Approved April 8, 2025 Priority
Supplement 132 Efficacy Approved January 28, 2025 Standard
Supplement 129 Efficacy Approved February 15, 2023 Priority
Supplement 130 Labeling Approved November 23, 2022 Standard
Supplement 122 Efficacy Approved May 27, 2022 Standard
Supplement 124 Efficacy Approved May 11, 2022 Standard
Supplement 127 Labeling Approved February 25, 2022 Standard
Supplement 126 Labeling Approved February 25, 2022 Standard
Supplement 121 Efficacy Approved May 25, 2021 Standard
Supplement 119 Labeling Approved November 13, 2020 Standard
Supplement 115 Efficacy Approved October 2, 2020 Priority
Supplement 112 Efficacy Approved September 18, 2020 Standard
Supplement 111 Labeling Approved August 13, 2020 Standard
Supplement 106 Labeling Approved June 29, 2020 Standard
Supplement 110 Efficacy Approved May 26, 2020 Priority
Supplement 109 Efficacy Approved May 15, 2020 Priority
Supplement 108 Efficacy Approved March 10, 2020 Priority
Supplement 104 Labeling Approved September 20, 2019 Standard
Supplement 102 Labeling Approved May 8, 2019 Standard
Supplement 96 Efficacy Approved July 10, 2018 Priority
Supplement 94 Efficacy Approved April 16, 2018 Priority
Supplement 93 Labeling Approved February 8, 2018 Standard
Supplement 91 Labeling Approved December 13, 2017 Standard
Supplement 86 Efficacy Approved October 20, 2017 Standard
Supplement 87 Efficacy Approved July 21, 2017 Standard
Supplement 84 Labeling Approved March 3, 2017 Standard
Supplement 73 Efficacy Approved October 28, 2015 Standard
Supplement 74 Labeling Approved August 17, 2015 Standard
Supplement 72 Labeling Approved March 19, 2015 Standard
Supplement 71 REMS Approved March 16, 2015 N/A
Supplement 55 Labeling Approved December 5, 2013 Standard
Supplement 44 Labeling Approved May 22, 2013 Standard
Supplement 33 Labeling Approved October 26, 2012 Standard
Supplement 16 Labeling Approved February 16, 2012 Standard
Supplement 8 Labeling Approved July 28, 2011 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved March 25, 2011 Priority

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 2, 2026
  • 0 · Supplement · September 1, 2026
  • 0 · Supplement · June 29, 2026
  • 0 · Supplement · June 16, 2026
  • 0 · Supplement · June 16, 2026
  • 0 · Supplement · June 2, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · June 2, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · April 25, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · April 21, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · April 9, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · April 8, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · February 7, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · February 5, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · February 17, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · February 16, 2023
  • 0 · Supplement · November 27, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · November 25, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · May 31, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · May 31, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · May 12, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · May 12, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · March 3, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · February 28, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · February 28, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · February 28, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · December 20, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · May 25, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · May 24, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · December 21, 2020
  • 0 · Supplement · November 16, 2020

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260820). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260820

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

Indications and Usage ( 1 ) 6/2026 Dosage and Administration (2) 6/2026 Warnings and Precautions (5) 8/2026

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE YERVOY is a human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)-blocking antibody indicated for: Melanoma • Treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older as a single agent or in combination with nivolumab. (1.1) • Adjuvant treatment of adult patients with cutaneous melanoma with pathologic involvement of regional lymph nodes of more than 1 mm who have undergone complete resection, including total lymphadenectomy. (1.2) Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) • Treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma, as first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab. (1.3) Colorectal Cancer • Treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-authorized test in combination with nivolumab. (1.4) Hepatocellular Carcinoma • adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab. ( 1.5 ) • in combination with nivolumab in adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib. (1.5) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) • Treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer expressing PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-authorized test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, as first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab. (1.6) • Treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations as first-line treatment, in combination with nivolumab and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy. (1.6) Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma • Treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, as first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab. (1.7) Esophageal Cancer • Treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as first line treatment in combination with nivolumab whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1). (1.8) 1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma YERVOY, as a single agent or in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. 1.2 Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma YERVOY is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with cutaneous melanoma with pathologic involvement of regional lymph nodes of more than 1 mm who have undergone complete resection, including total lymphadenectomy. 1.3 Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma YERVOY, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 1.4 Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer • YERVOY, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-authorized test . 1.5 Hepatocellular Carcinoma • YERVOY, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). • YERVOY, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib. 1.6 Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer YERVOY, in combination with nivolumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-authorized test [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] , with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. YERVOY, in …

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer by intravenous infusion after dilution based upon recommended infusion rate for each indication. (2) • Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma : ∘ YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 doses. (2.2) ∘ YERVOY 3 mg/kg immediately following nivolumab 1 mg/kg on the same day, every 3 weeks for 4 doses. After completing 4 doses of the combination, administer nivolumab as a single agent as recommended in the Full Prescribing Information for nivolumab. (2.2) • Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma : YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses, followed by 3 mg/kg every 12 weeks for up to 4 additional doses. (2.2) • Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma : YERVOY 1 mg/kg immediately following nivolumab 3 mg/kg on the same day, every 3 weeks for 4 doses. After completing 4 doses of the combination, administer nivolumab as a single agent as recommended in Full Prescribing Information for nivolumab. (2.2) • Treatment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer in combination with nivolumab : ∘ Adult and pediatric patients weighing 40 kg or greater: YERVOY 1 mg/kg immediately following nivolumab 240 mg on the same day every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 doses. After completing the combination, administer nivolumab as a single agent as recommended in Full Prescribing Information for nivolumab. (2.2) ∘ Pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg: YERVOY 1 mg/kg immediately following nivolumab 3 mg/kg on the same day every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 doses. After completing the combination, administer nivolumab as a single agent as recommended in Full Prescribing Information for nivolumab. ( 2.2 ) • Hepatocellular Carcinoma : YERVOY 3 mg/kg intravenously over 30 minutes immediately following nivolumab 1 mg/kg intravenously over 30 minutes on the same day, every 3 weeks for up to 4 doses. After completing up to 4 doses of the combination, administer nivolumab as a single agent as recommended in Full Prescribing Information for nivolumab. (2.2) • Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer : ∘ YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks. (2.2) ∘ YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy. (2.2) • Malignant pleural mesothelioma : YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks. (2.2) • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 360 mg every 3 weeks. (2.2) • See full Prescribing Information for preparation and administration instructions and dosage modifications for adverse reactions. 2.1 Patient Selection Information on FDA-authorized tests for patient selection is available at: https://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer • Select patients with metastatic NSCLC for treatment with YERVOY in combination with nivolumab based on PD-L1 expression [see Clinical Studies (14.6) ] . Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer • Select patients with metastatic colorectal cancer for treatment with YERVOY in combination with nivolumab based on the presence of MSI-H or dMMR status in tumor specimens [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . Esophageal Cancer • Select patients with unresectable or advanced or metastatic ESCC for treatment with YERVOY in combination with nivolumab based on PD-L1 expression [see Clinical Studies (14.8) ] . ∘ An FDA-authorized companion diagnostic for the detection of PD-L1 expression in patients with advanced or metastatic ESCC is not available. 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosages of YERVOY as a single agent are presented in Table 1. Administer YERVOY as a 30-minute intravenous infusion [see Preparation and Administration (2.4) ] . Table 1: Recommended Dosages for YERVOY as a Single Agent Indication Recommended YERVOY Dosage Duration of Therapy Unresectable or metastatic melanoma 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks Maximum of 4 doses Ad …

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL) and 200 mg/40 mL (5 mg/mL) as a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale-yellow solution in a single-dose vial. • Injection: 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL) and 200 mg/40 mL (5 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial. (3)

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. • None. (4)

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions : Immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMAR) can occur in any organ system or tissue, including the following: immune-mediated colitis, immune-mediated hepatitis, immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions, immune-mediated endocrinopathies, immune-mediated pneumonitis, and immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction, and can occur at any time during treatment or after discontinuation. Monitor for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of IMAR. Evaluate clinical chemistries including liver enzymes, creatinine, adrenocorticotropic hormone level and thyroid function including at baseline and before each dose. In general, withhold YERVOY for severe (grade 3) and permanently discontinue for life-threatening (grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reactions. See Full Prescribing Information for additional dosage modifications. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) • Infusion-Related Reactions : Discontinue for severe and life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with mild or moderate infusion-related reactions. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) • Complications of allogeneic HSCT : Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic HSCT before or after being treated with YERVOY. (5.3) • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise of potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception. ( 5.4 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions YERVOY is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks T-cell inhibitory signals induced by the CTLA-4 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response with the potential for induction of immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed herein may not be inclusive of all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time after starting YERVOY. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment, immune-mediated adverse reactions can also manifest after discontinuation of YERVOY. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of YERVOY. Monitor for signs and symptoms that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate clinical chemistries including liver enzymes, creatinine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function at baseline and before each dose. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate. Withhold or permanently discontinue YERVOY depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. In general, if YERVOY requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy. Immune-Mediated Colitis YERVOY can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may be fatal. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. YERVOY 3 mg/kg as a Single Agent Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 12% (62/511) of patients who received YERVOY 3 mg/kg as a single agent, including Grade 3-5 (7%) and Grade 2 (5%). Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of YERVOY in 4.3% and withholding of at least one dose of YERVOY in 0.2% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 74% (46/62) of patients with immune-mediated colitis. Fi …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . • Infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with YERVOY as a single agent are fatigue, diarrhea, pruritus, rash, nausea, and headache. (6.1) Most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with YERVOY in combination with nivolumab are fatigue, diarrhea, rash, pruritus, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, pyrexia, cough, decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, arthralgia, headache, hypothyroidism, constipation, decreased weight, and dizziness. (6.1) Most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with YERVOY in combination with nivolumab and platinum-doublet chemotherapy are fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, diarrhea, rash, decreased appetite, constipation, and pruritus. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described in the Warnings and Precautions section reflect exposure to YERVOY 3 mg/kg as a single agent (or in combination with an investigational gp100 peptide vaccine) in 511 patients in Study MDX010-20; YERVOY 1 mg/kg administered with nivolumab 3 mg/kg in 1,362 patients in CHECKMATE-214, CHECKMATE-142, CHECKMATE-227, and CHECKMATE-743; YERVOY 3 mg/kg administered with nivolumab 1 mg/kg in 456 patients enrolled in CHECKMATE-067, CHECKMATE-040, and another randomized trial; and to YERVOY 1 mg/kg, administered in combination with nivolumab and platinum-doublet chemotherapy in CHECKMATE-9LA. Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma The safety of YERVOY was evaluated in 643 previously treated patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma in Study MDX010-20 [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Study MDX010-20 excluded patients with active autoimmune disease or those receiving systemic immunosuppression for organ transplantation. Patients received YERVOY 3 mg/kg by intravenous infusion for 4 doses as a single agent (n=131), YERVOY with an investigational gp100 peptide vaccine (n=380), or gp100 peptide vaccine as a single agent (n=132). Patients in the trial received a median of 4 doses (range: 1 to 4 doses). The trial population characteristics were: median age 57 years (range: 19 to 90), 59% male, 94% White, and baseline ECOG performance status 0 (56%). YERVOY was discontinued for adverse reactions in 10% of patients. Table 4 presents adverse reactions from Study MDX010-20. Table 4: Selected Adverse Reactions (≥5%) in Patients Receiving YERVOY with a Difference Between Arms of >5% for All Grades and >1% for Grades 3 to 5 Compared to gp100 Peptide Vaccine in Study MDX010-20 Adverse Reactions YERVOY 3 mg/kg n=131 YERVOY 3 mg/kg and gp100 n=380 gp100 n=132 All Grades (%) Grade 3 to 5 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 to 5 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 to 5 (%) General and Administration-Site Conditions Fatigue 41 7 34 5 31 3 Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 32 5 37 4 20 1 Colitis 8 5 5 3 2 0 Dermatologic Pruritus 31 0 21 1 year. Serious adverse reactions (74%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (47%) or to dosing delays (58%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72%) occurred in patients treated with YERVOY and nivolumab. The most frequent (≥10%) serious adverse reactions in the YERVOY and nivolumab arm were diarrhea (13%), colitis (10%), and pyrexia (10%). The most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of both drugs in the YERVOY and nivolumab arm were colitis (10%), diarrhea (8%), increased ALT (4.8%), increa …

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS • Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] , YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There is insufficient human data for YERVOY exposure in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, administration of ipilimumab to cynomolgus monkeys from the onset of organogenesis through delivery resulted in higher incidences of abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery (with corresponding lower birth weight), and higher incidences of infant mortality in a dose-related manner (see Data ) . The effects of ipilimumab are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Human IgG1 is known to cross the placental barrier and ipilimumab is an IgG1; therefore, ipilimumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Report pregnancies to Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-844-593-7869. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In a combined study of embryo-fetal and peri-postnatal development, pregnant cynomolgus monkeys received ipilimumab every 3 weeks from the onset of organogenesis in the first trimester through parturition. No treatment-related adverse effects on reproduction were detected during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Beginning in the third trimester, administration of ipilimumab at doses resulting in exposures approximately 2.6 to 7.2 times the human exposure at a dose of 3 mg/kg resulted in dose-related increases in abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery (with corresponding lower birth weight), and an increased incidence of infant mortality. In addition, developmental abnormalities were identified in the urogenital system of 2 infant monkeys exposed in utero to 30 mg/kg of ipilimumab (7.2 times the humans exposure based on area under the curve at a dose of 3 mg/kg). One female infant monkey had unilateral renal agenesis of the left kidney and ureter, and 1 male infant monkey had an imperforate urethra with associated urinary obstruction and subcutaneous scrotal edema. Genetically engineered mice heterozygous for CTLA-4 (CTLA-4+/−), the target for ipilimumab, appeared healthy and gave birth to healthy CTLA-4+/− heterozygous offspring. Mated CTLA-4+/− heterozygous mice also produced offspring deficient in CTLA-4 (homozygous negative, CTLA-4−/−). The CTLA-4−/− homozygous negative offspring appeared healthy at birth, exhibited signs of multiorgan lymphoproliferative disease by 2 weeks of age, and all died by 3 to 4 weeks of age with massive lymphoproliferation and multiorgan tissue destruction. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of YERVOY in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or milk production. In monkeys, ipilimumab was present in milk (see Data ) . Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with YERVOY and for 3 months following the last dose. Data In monkeys treated at dose levels resulting in exposures 2.6 and 7.2 times higher than those in humans at a 3 mg/kg dose, ipilimumab was present in milk at concentrations of 0.1 mcg/mL and 0.4 mcg/mL, representing a ratio of up to 0.3% of the steady-state serum concentration of the drug. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating YERVOY [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Contraception YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with YERVOY and for 3 mo …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action CTLA-4 is a negative regulator of T-cell activity. Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to CTLA-4 and blocks the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands, CD80/CD86. Blockade of CTLA-4 has been shown to augment T-cell activation and proliferation, including the activation and proliferation of tumor infiltrating T-effector cells. Inhibition of CTLA-4 signaling can also reduce T-regulatory cell function, which may contribute to a general increase in T-cell responsiveness, including the anti-tumor immune response.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION Ipilimumab is a human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)-blocking antibody. Ipilimumab is a recombinant IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin with an approximate molecular weight of 148 kDa. Ipilimumab is produced in mammalian (Chinese hamster ovary) cell culture. YERVOY (ipilimumab) injection, for intravenous use is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale-yellow solution, which may contain a small amount of visible translucent-to-white, amorphous ipilimumab particulates. It is supplied in single-dose vials of 50 mg/10 mL or 200 mg/40 mL. Each milliliter contains 5 mg of ipilimumab and the following inactive ingredients: diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (0.04 mg), mannitol (10 mg), polysorbate 80 (vegetable origin) (0.1 mg), sodium chloride (5.85 mg), tris hydrochloride (3.15 mg), and Water for Injection, USP at a pH of 7.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING YERVOY (ipilimumab) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale-yellow solution. YERVOY is available as follows: Carton Contents NDC One 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL), single-dose vial NDC 0003-2327-11 One 200 mg/40 mL (5 mg/mL), single-dose vial NDC 0003-2328-22 Store YERVOY under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Protect YERVOY from light by storing in the original carton until time of use. Do not freeze or shake.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
42,912
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: IPILIMUMAB. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0003-2327-11 0003-2327 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0003-2327-11) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE March 25, 2011
0003-2328-22 0003-2328 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0003-2328-22) / 40 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE March 25, 2011
0003-2327 0003-2327 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. — March 25, 2011
0003-2328 0003-2328 E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C. — March 25, 2011

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts
Purple Book FDA Biologic licence classification

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