Nubeqa
Nubeqa (darolutamide) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of prostate cancer in adults. You usually take it along with other hormone treatments, with chemotherapy, or after surgery to remove the testicles. As an androgen receptor inhibitor, it blocks testosterone from helping prostate cancer grow. You take the tablet by mouth twice a day with food. Common side effects include low white blood cell count, tiredness, and rash.
What is Nubeqa (darolutamide)?
What is Nubeqa (darolutamide) used for?
- Non-metastatic prostate cancer that's castration-resistant
- Metastatic prostate cancer that's hormone-sensitive, taken alone
- Metastatic prostate cancer that's hormone-sensitive, used together with a chemotherapy medication called docetaxel
How Nubeqa (darolutamide) works
Nubeqa (darolutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor. It works by blocking testosterone in prostate cancer cells. Since testosterone helps prostate cancer grow, this medication reduces its effects to slow or stop the cancer from growing or spreading.
Drug facts
Side effects of Nubeqa (darolutamide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Non-metastatic prostate cancer:
- Rise in liver enzymes (up to 23%)
- Lower white blood cell count (20%)
- Tiredness (16%)
Metastatic prostate cancer (when taken alone):
- Rise in liver enzymes (up to 32%)
- Lower white blood cell count (16%)
Metastatic prostate cancer (when taken with docetaxel):
- Lower red blood cell count (72%)
- Higher blood sugar levels (57%)
- Lower white blood cell count (up to 52%)
- Rise in liver enzymes (up to 40%)
- Low calcium levels (31%)
- Constipation (23%)
- Rash (20%)
Less Common Side Effects
Non-metastatic prostate cancer:
- Rash
- Pain in the arms or legs
Metastatic prostate cancer (when taken alone):
- Urinary tract infection
Metastatic prostate cancer (when taken with docetaxel):
- Reduced appetite
- Bleeding
- Weight gain
- High blood pressure
Nubeqa (darolutamide) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart problems: chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath
- Seizures: sudden jerking or shaking, loss of consciousness, confusion, trouble speaking
The following Nubeqa (darolutamide) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Seizures
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Nubeqa (darolutamide)
Pros
- Available as a pill you take by mouth
- Recommended option for certain types of prostate cancer
- Might cause fewer brain-related side effects than similar medications
Cons
- Need to take it twice a day
- Must take your dose with food
- Can interact with many medications and products
Pharmacist tips for Nubeqa (darolutamide)
- Take two tablets of Nubeqa (darolutamide) twice a day with food so your body can absorb the medication properly. Swallow each tablet whole. Don’t cut, crush, or chew them.
- If you miss a dose of Nubeqa (darolutamide), take it as soon as you remember before your next scheduled dose. Don’t take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
- You’ll usually take Nubeqa (darolutamide) with other hormone treatments or chemotherapy, unless you’ve had surgery to remove both testicles. Don’t stop these treatments unless your oncologist tells you to.
- Nubeqa (darolutamide) can increase your risk of heart problems. Call your care team right away if you have chest pain, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath.
- Nubeqa (darolutamide) can increase your risk of seizures. Avoid activities where sudden loss of consciousness could be dangerous. Call your care team right away if you have a seizure or faint.
- If your partner can become pregnant, use birth control such as condoms while taking Nubeqa (darolutamide) and for 1 week after your last dose. This medication might not be safe in pregnancy.
Common questions about Nubeqa (darolutamide)
Nubeqa (darolutamide) isn’t chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills all fast-growing cells in the body, including healthy ones, which often leads to more side effects. Nubeqa (darolutamide) works differently since it’s a targeted hormone therapy that specifically blocks testosterone from working to feed prostate cancer cells.
Yes. Nubeqa (darolutamide) is a hormonal therapy used for certain types of prostate cancer. It belongs to a group of medications called androgen receptor inhibitors, which work by blocking signals from testosterone. Since most prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow, blocking it helps slow down the cancer.
Yes, weight gain is a common side effect of Nubeqa (darolutamide) when it’s taken with docetaxel, a type of chemotherapy. If you notice your weight going up while on this treatment, let your oncology team know so they can check for causes and help you manage it.
How long you take Nubeqa (darolutamide) depends on how well it works and how well you tolerate side effects. Your oncologist will monitor your progress with scans and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. They’ll also check in with you regularly to see if symptoms of prostate cancer, such as trouble urinating or blood in the urine, are improving. Don’t stop taking this medication without talking to your oncologist first.
Nubeqa (darolutamide) and Xtandi (enzalutamide) are both oral medications used to treat certain types of prostate cancer. One difference is that Nubeqa (darolutamide) is often better tolerated and might cause fewer problems with the brain and nervous system, such as confusion, falls, or seizures, because it doesn’t enter the brain as much as Xtandi (enzalutamide). Another difference is how you take them: Nubeqa (darolutamide) is usually taken twice a day with food, while Xtandi (enzalutamide) is taken once a day and can be taken with or without food. Talk to your oncologist if you have questions comparing the two.
Nubeqa (darolutamide) can interact with other medications. Some medications, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and rifampin, can make Nubeqa (darolutamide) work less well. It can also raise the levels of certain medications, such as ketoconazole and clarithromycin, which might raise side effects. Always tell your oncologist about all the medications, supplements, and over-the-counter products you take so they can check for interactions and adjust your treatment if needed.
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Risks and warnings for Nubeqa (darolutamide)
Nubeqa (darolutamide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart problems
- Risk factors: High blood pressure | Diabetes | High cholesterol
Rarely, Nubeqa (darolutamide) can cause blocked arteries in the heart called ischemic heart disease. If this happens and your symptoms are severe, you’ll need to stop taking this medication. Call your oncologist right away if you have chest pain, chest discomfort during rest or activity, or shortness of breath, since these might be signs of heart problems.
Seizure
Though rare, Nubeqa (darolutamide) can raise your risk of seizures. In studies, seizures were reported as early as 1 month after starting treatment and as late as several years later. Tell your oncologist right away if you think you've had a seizure. Early warning signs can include unusual smells or tastes, nausea, anxiety, or a fluttering feeling. Because losing consciousness can be dangerous, avoid activities where a sudden seizure could put you or others at risk. If you do have a seizure, you might need to stop taking this medication altogether and switch to something else.
Harm to unborn baby
It’s possible for Nubeqa (darolutamide) to harm an unborn baby. If your partner can get pregnant, use birth control such as condoms while taking this medication and for 1 week after your last dose. Let your oncologist know right away if your partner becomes pregnant during this time.
Nubeqa (darolutamide) dosage
Typical dosage for Nubeqa (darolutamide)
The typical dose is 600 mg taken by mouth twice a day with food.
Your dose might be different if you experience serious side effects or have kidney or liver problems.
What are alternatives to Nubeqa (darolutamide)?
