Opdivo (nivolumab) isn’t known to interact with supplements or other medications.

Opdivo is used in adults to treat certain types of cancer. These include:

Opdivo is also used in certain children to treat:

  • melanoma
  • colorectal cancer

An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions also can occur if you have certain health conditions.

Keep reading to learn more about interactions. For a detailed overview of this drug, check out this in-depth Opdivo article.

Opdivo hasn’t been reported to interact with other drugs. But this doesn’t mean that interactions aren’t possible. For example, new drugs may be developed that might interact with Opdivo.

Before you start treatment with Opdivo, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions.

To learn whether Opdivo interacts with herbs, vitamins, or supplements, see the “Are there other interactions with Opdivo?” section.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Opdivo isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But Opdivo and alcohol can cause some similar side effects, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. So, you may be more likely to experience these side effects if you drink alcohol during your Opdivo treatment.

Opdivo can sometimes cause liver damage as a side effect. Likewise, drinking large amounts of alcohol can also cause liver damage. So, drinking alcohol during Opdivo treatment may raise your risk of liver damage.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Opdivo treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Opdivo isn’t known to have interactions with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests.

Does Opdivo interact with supplements?

Before you start Opdivo treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you take. Opdivo isn’t known to have interactions with these products. But sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions that could occur later.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Opdivo and herbs

Opdivo currently has no reports of interacting with herbs. But this doesn’t mean that interactions with herbs won’t be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while receiving Opdivo.

Opdivo and vitamins

Opdivo currently has no reports of interacting with vitamins. But this doesn’t mean that interactions with vitamins won’t be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while receiving Opdivo.

Does Opdivo interact with food?

Currently, Opdivo has no reports of interacting with food. If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Opdivo, talk with your doctor.

Does Opdivo interact with vaccines?

Opdivo currently has no reports of interacting with vaccines. If you have questions about getting certain vaccines during your Opdivo treatment, talk with your doctor.

Does Opdivo interact with lab tests?

Currently, Opdivo has no reports of interacting with lab tests. If you have questions about having certain lab tests during your treatment with Opdivo, talk with the healthcare professional ordering the test.

Does Opdivo interact with cannabis or CBD?

Opdivo currently has no reports of interacting with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis with Opdivo.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Opdivo. Before starting Opdivo treatment, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Opdivo is right for you.

Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Opdivo include:

Autoimmune conditions: Opdivo may worsen autoimmune conditions. These are conditions caused by the immune system attacking the body’s healthy tissues. Examples include:

If you have an autoimmune condition, ask your doctor whether Opdivo is right for you.

Nervous system conditions: Opdivo may worsen nervous system conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or myasthenia gravis. If you have a nervous system condition, ask your doctor whether Opdivo is right for you.

Past radiation therapy: Opdivo sometimes can cause lung inflammation. If you’ve ever had radiation therapy to your chest area, you may have a raised risk of this side effect. Talk with your doctor about whether Opdivo is right for you.

Past organ transplant: If you’ve ever had an organ transplant, receiving Opdivo could cause your body to reject the transplanted organ. Talk with your doctor about whether Opdivo is right for you.

Past or planned stem cell transplant: Let your doctor know whether you’ve ever had an allogeneic (donor) hematopoietic stem cell transplant or plan to have this treatment. Receiving Opdivo can raise your risk of complications with this type of transplant. Your doctor can discuss whether Opdivo is right for you.

Pregnancy: Opdivo is not safe to receive during pregnancy. The drug can harm a developing fetus or cause pregnancy loss. If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, talk with your doctor before receiving Opdivo. If you may become pregnant, use effective birth control during Opdivo treatment and for 5 months after your last dose.

Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to breastfeed during Opdivo treatment. Researchers don’t know whether the drug passes into breast milk. But if it were to, it could cause serious side effects in a breastfed child. Due to this possible risk, do not breastfeed during Opdivo treatment and for 5 months after your last dose. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Opdivo or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Opdivo. This is because receiving the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better for you.

Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Opdivo. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:

  • whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis
  • the list of medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs
  • what to do if you start taking a new drug during your Opdivo treatment

It’s also important to understand Opdivo’s label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. Colored stickers that describe interactions may be on the label. The paperwork, sometimes called the patient package insert or medication guide, may have other details about interactions.

If you didn’t get paperwork with Opdivo, ask your pharmacist to print a copy for you. If you have difficulty reading or understanding this information, your doctor or pharmacist can help.

Receiving Opdivo exactly as prescribed also can help prevent interactions.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.