Metformin Hydrochloride and Nivolumab

• Generic Name: metformin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Riomet, Glumetza. Riomet

Used as an adjunct to diet and exercise for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

May be used in combination with a sulfonylurea, repaglinide, a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 [DPP-4] inhibitor, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, or a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 [SGLT2] inhibitor for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients who do not achieve adequate glycemic control on monotherapy with metformin or any of these drugs. Also used concomitantly with nateglinide.

May be used with insulin to improve glycemic control and/or decrease the required dosage of insulin.

Commercially available in fixed combination with glyburide or glipizide for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. May add a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent if patient has inadequate glycemic control with fixed-combination metformin/glyburide therapy.

Commercially available in fixed combination with rosiglitazone for use when treatment with both rosiglitazone and metformin is appropriate.

Commercially available in fixed combination with pioglitazone (as immediate- or extended-release tablets) for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have inadequate glycemic control with pioglitazone or metformin monotherapy or in those who are already receiving pioglitazone and metformin concurrently as separate components.

Commercially available in fixed combination with repaglinide for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are already receiving repaglinide and metformin concurrently as separate components or in those who have inadequate glycemic control with repaglinide or metformin monotherapy.

Commercially available in fixed combination with the DPP-4 inhibitors alogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, or sitagliptin for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise when treatment with both drug components is appropriate.

Commercially available in fixed combinations with the SGLT2 inhibitors canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, or ertugliflozin for use when treatment with both drugs components is appropriate.

Metformin generally is the preferred initial oral antidiabetic agent for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Potential advantages of metformin compared with sulfonylureas or insulin include minimal risk of hypoglycemia, more favorable effects on serum lipids, reduction of hyperinsulinemia, and weight loss or lack of weight gain.

Not effective as sole therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by acidosis, ketosis, or coma.

Has been used in the management of metabolic and reproductive abnormalities associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Generic Name: nivolumab
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Opdivo

Nivolumab is a cancer medicine that is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat:

• advanced skin cancer (melanoma);

• non-small cell lung cancer;

• kidney cancer;

• classical Hodgkin lymphoma;

• squamous cell cancer of the head and neck;

• bladder cancer;

• liver cancer; or

• a type of colorectal cancer that laboratory testing proves to have certain specific DNA mutations.

Nivolumab is often given when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or cannot be surgically removed, or has come back after prior treatment.

For some types of cancer, nivolumab is given only if your tumor has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" gene).

Nivolumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.