Nivolumab/Relatlimab treatment for Stage3c Melanoma

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I am about to have my third treatment of the above combination drugs. My only side effect so far has been mild fatigue, which is intermittent and easily managed. I understand these drugs have accumulative effects but, obviously, each individual reacts differently. I enjoy a G&T most weekday evenings and occasionally a glass of red wine but I try to stick to NHS guidelines and have at least two alcohol-free days each week. I’ve been reluctant to ask the medical team whether it is advisable to drink alcohol during this treatment. Just wondered if anyone on similar treatment can give any advice on this?

  • Your medical team are best placed to advise re liver impacts and you really should ask for guidance without embarrassment.

    As a mother who could have lost a child to a rare liver reaction with medication that had similar advice to yours (the actual medication was immunosuppressant rather than booster but very similar guidance on alcohol, I believe), am horribly aware both that reactions can be highly individual but also liver load matters and you are adding to your liver stress.

    To sum up, I think it is the case that alcohol raises the risk of an interaction and it sounds to me as if you may be over-doing it especially (possibly even regardless of – I am not familiar with your exact medication) whether you take other medications/supplements.

    Fatigue can actually be a sign that the liver is under stress. 

    In a nutshell, no one on here will be exactly similar to you because they don't have full picture regarding your medications, liver status etc. But as a mother who has been through the horror of bad liver numbers with a much younger relative who was drinking well within guidelines yet whose liver numbers ended up matching those of a severe alcoholic (took many months to recover and can never have that medication again now), I feel passionately you should speak to your team about this rather than carry on blindly.

    Rose x