When Yervoy Isn't Available: What Are Your Options?

Being prescribed an immunotherapy drug like Yervoy (Ipilimumab) means your oncologist believes it's the best weapon against your cancer. But what happens when you can't get it? Whether the issue is insurance denial, supply delays, or cost barriers, knowing your alternatives can bring peace of mind and keep your treatment moving forward.

This guide walks you through what Yervoy is, how it works, and the real alternatives your doctor may consider if Yervoy isn't an option for you right now.

What Is Yervoy?

Yervoy is the brand name for Ipilimumab, a biologic drug manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb. It was first approved by the FDA in 2011 and has since been approved for multiple cancer types, including melanoma, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and esophageal cancer.

It's typically administered as an IV infusion every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the indication. For a complete overview, see our guide to Yervoy uses and dosage.

How Does Yervoy Work?

Yervoy is a CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Here's what that means in plain language:

Your immune system has "brakes" — proteins that prevent it from attacking too aggressively. One of these brakes is a protein called CTLA-4. Cancer cells can take advantage of this brake to hide from your immune system.

Yervoy blocks CTLA-4, essentially releasing the brake and allowing your T-cells (immune cells) to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. For a deeper dive, read our mechanism of action explainer.

Alternatives to Yervoy

If you can't access Yervoy, your oncologist may recommend one of the following immunotherapy drugs. All of these are FDA-approved and widely used in cancer treatment. Important: Never switch medications on your own. Always discuss alternatives with your oncologist, who can evaluate which option is best for your specific cancer type, stage, and treatment history.

1. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Drug class: PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor
Manufacturer: Merck
FDA-approved for: Melanoma, NSCLC, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer, MSI-H cancers, and many more (Keytruda has the broadest range of approved indications of any checkpoint inhibitor).

Keytruda works differently from Yervoy — it blocks PD-1 instead of CTLA-4. While the targets are different, the goal is the same: unleashing the immune system to fight cancer. Keytruda is one of the most widely prescribed immunotherapy drugs in the world and may be a suitable alternative for many of the cancers Yervoy treats.

How it's given: IV infusion every 3 or 6 weeks.
Key consideration: Keytruda is often used as a first-line monotherapy, while Yervoy is frequently used in combination with Nivolumab. Your doctor will determine if switching to Keytruda alone makes sense for your situation.

2. Nivolumab (Opdivo)

Drug class: PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor
Manufacturer: Bristol Myers Squibb
FDA-approved for: Melanoma, NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal cancer, and more.

Nivolumab is frequently used with Yervoy as a combination therapy. But if Yervoy isn't available, your oncologist may consider using Nivolumab as a standalone treatment. Nivolumab targets PD-1 and has strong clinical evidence as monotherapy for many of the same cancers.

How it's given: IV infusion every 2 or 4 weeks.
Key consideration: If you were prescribed the Yervoy + Opdivo combination, switching to Opdivo alone may change your treatment outcomes. Discuss the risks and benefits thoroughly with your doctor.

3. Tremelimumab (Imjudo)

Drug class: CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor
Manufacturer: AstraZeneca
FDA-approved for: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (in combination with Durvalumab), and metastatic NSCLC (in combination with Durvalumab and chemotherapy).

Tremelimumab is the closest alternative to Yervoy because it targets the same protein — CTLA-4. It was approved by the FDA in 2022 and is used in combination with Durvalumab (Imfinzi), a PD-L1 inhibitor. If your cancer type is covered by Imjudo's approved indications, this may be the most pharmacologically similar option to Yervoy.

How it's given: Single IV infusion as part of a combination regimen.
Key consideration: Imjudo has a narrower range of approved indications than Yervoy. It's not approved for melanoma, kidney cancer, or colorectal cancer.

4. Durvalumab (Imfinzi)

Drug class: PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor
Manufacturer: AstraZeneca
FDA-approved for: NSCLC (stage III, unresectable), extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, biliary tract cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (with Tremelimumab), and endometrial cancer.

Durvalumab blocks PD-L1, the partner protein of PD-1. It's often used alongside Tremelimumab (Imjudo) in a combination that parallels the Yervoy + Opdivo approach but with different specific agents. For lung cancer and liver cancer patients who can't access Yervoy, the Imfinzi + Imjudo combination may be a viable alternative.

How it's given: IV infusion every 2, 3, or 4 weeks depending on indication.
Key consideration: Like all checkpoint inhibitors, Durvalumab carries risks of immune-mediated side effects. Discuss your full medical history with your oncologist.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

If you're considering switching from Yervoy to another immunotherapy, here are some questions to bring to your appointment:

• Is there another checkpoint inhibitor approved for my specific type of cancer?
• Will switching from Yervoy affect my treatment outcomes?
• Are the side effect profiles different between Yervoy and the alternative?
• Will my insurance cover the alternative, and will it require a new prior authorization?
• Can I restart Yervoy later if it becomes available?

For more about Yervoy's side effects compared to alternatives, see our side effects guide.

Final Thoughts

Losing access to your prescribed cancer treatment is frightening, but there are real, FDA-approved alternatives to Yervoy that your oncologist can consider. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Nivolumab (Opdivo), Tremelimumab (Imjudo), and Durvalumab (Imfinzi) are all proven immunotherapy options depending on your cancer type.

Before exploring alternatives, try using Medfinder to find Yervoy in stock near you. And if cost is the main barrier, our savings guide may help you access the treatment you were originally prescribed.