Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had: 

• liver, kidney, heart or lung problems

• immune conditions (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or lupus)

• problems with hormone producing glands (such as your thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, or pancreas)

• an organ transplant

• active infections

• diabetes, or

• any allergies

Remember to:

• Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking, especially if you are taking corticosteroids (such as prednisone).
• Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.

You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.

• This drug is given through an IV (injected into a vein). It is usually given as a single dose. Talk to your health care team about your treatment schedule. 
   
• If you missed your treatment appointment, talk to your health care team to find out what to do.

Will this medication interact with other medications or natural health products?

• Although this medication is unlikely to interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products, tell your health care team about all of your:

  • prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)

  • natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements

• Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.

What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?

• Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®)).

  • Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.

  • If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
     

How to check for fever:

Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).

• You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
   
  • 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
    
    OR
     
  • 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

If you do have a fever:

• Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
• Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information. 
   

If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:

• Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.

• Talk to your health care team before you start taking Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.

• Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.

What to DO while on this medication:

• DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
   
• DO tell your health care team about ANY new symptom you develop. You may need urgent medical treatment.

What NOT to DO while on this medication:

• DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.

The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting tremelimumab. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.

• Tremelimumab makes your immune system work harder. Your immune system is what fights infections and your cancer.
• When your immune system is working harder, you may have side effects in your bowels, liver, lungs, skin, kidneys, hormones and other organs.
• These side effects may be mild or may become serious or life-threatening in rare cases.
• They may happen during your treatment or weeks to months after your treatment ends.
• Some things to watch for are:
  • diarrhea
  • a new cough
  • problems with breathing
  • rash
  • any other new symptom

If you have side effects, you must talk to your health care team right away. You may need urgent treatment.

Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on tremelimumab.

Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:

• New cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood.
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as fever, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, or chest and throat tightness
• Peeing more often than normal and feeling very thirsty

Other Notes:

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April 2024 New patient information sheet