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Immunotherapy and sex
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Immunotherapy and sex

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Immunotherapy and sex

  • Post
    • January 22, 2019 at 8:33 pm
    Zelda_Scotland
    Participant

      Has anyone else been told they need to adjust their sex lives while on Nivolumab? 

      I had my first infusion yesterday and was given a leaflet which said we had to use condoms for the next year of my treatment, plus for 6 months afterwards incase I pass any of the drug into my husband’s system. It was designed with Chemo patients in mind though and the nurse couldn’t really explain if it applied to me too. 

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        • January 22, 2019 at 8:45 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Zelda, I have a link to BMS the company that makes Opdivo (Nivo) and it doesn't go into any great detail other than it can harm the fetus if you get pregnant. With the link, just go down to section on pregnacy!!! Good luck with treatments!!! Ed https://www.bms.com/life-and-science/people/a-study-in-resilience.html

          • January 22, 2019 at 9:54 pm
          swalters1038
          Participant

            I'm on Tafinlar and Mekinist and my doctor told me the same thing.  He pretty much admitted that the real answer is they have no clue, but in the absence of real data and information its better to side on safety and precaution.

            • January 22, 2019 at 10:21 pm
            Hukill
            Participant

              When I started the ipi/nivo combo I was told the same thing and also not for my wife the eat or drink after me. About a year or so after the combo and still on nivo I again spoke with my pharmacist who mixed my drugs who actually knew way more than the oncologist and said we could stop the condoms. It has been about 18 months and my wife has not had any signs of the ipi/nivo affecting her immune system. I started therapy in 06/2016 and I have not been sick since, no colds, flu, stomach bugs or anything. It was wierd at the age of 58 going through the register with just condoms.

              • January 23, 2019 at 12:02 am
              skfitz
              Participant

                My husband and I have not had any problems, nor were we told to avoid unprotected sex. We were definitely warned about pregnancy but that was it. He was on the ipi/nivo combo for 12 weeks and has now been on Taf/Mek for over 6 months. No issues on my end whatsoever. Hope this helps!

                • January 23, 2019 at 10:57 pm
                Zelda_Scotland
                Participant

                  I think it's exactly as Steven said, they really don't know. The nurse I spoke to basically said, "that's what we tell the chemo patients". Nobody mentioned anything about this before the treatment started and there was nothing online about this being one of the possible side effects so it kind of took us by surprise.

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