Nubeqa (darolutamide) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain forms of prostate cancer in adults. Nubeqa comes as a tablet that’s typically taken twice per day. The dosage can vary depending on your side effects.
Nubeqa is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
- metastatic* hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with docetaxel
Nubeqa belongs to a drug class called anti-androgens. Nubeqa is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Nubeqa, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Nubeqa, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Nubeqa provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Nubeqa, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
*Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread to other parts of your body.
The typically recommended dosages for Nubeqa are described below.
Nubeqa form
Nubeqa comes as an oral tablet.
Nubeqa strength
Nubeqa comes in one strength of 300 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Doctors may prescribe Nubeqa to treat nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). The drug is typically taken with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog drug.
If your doctor prescribes Nubeqa for your nmCRPC, your starting dose will likely be 600 mg (2 tablets) two times per day. This is the typical recommended dosage of Nubeqa for people with nmCRPC. This is also the maximum dose of Nubeqa that’s recommended. If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor will assess your symptoms and help figure out a plan for you.
Dosage for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in combination with docetaxel
Doctors may prescribe Nubeqa to treat metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The drug is typically taken with the drug docetaxel and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog.
If your doctor prescribes Nubeqa for your mHSPC, your starting dose will likely be 600 mg (2 tablets) two times per day. This is the typical recommended dosage of Nubeqa for people with mHSPC. This is also the maximum dose of Nubeqa that’s recommended. If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor will assess your symptoms and help figure out a plan for you.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Nubeqa is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Nubeqa is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Nubeqa, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Nubeqa dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how your body responds to Nubeqa
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Nubeqa
- your liver function
- your kidney function
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Nubeqa dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A* inhibitors or inducers. You may also need to adjust your dosage if you take drugs that depend on the P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 transport proteins*. These drugs can affect the level of Nubeqa in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Nubeqa, see this article.
Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or kidney disease. Typically, your doctor will prescribe a lower dosage, depending on what type of kidney or liver disease you have.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
* CYP3A is an enzyme (a type of protein) in your liver that breaks down medications.
* Transport proteins move drugs in and out of cells in your body.
Nubeqa comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole and take with food. Do not divide, crush, or chew the tablets.
It may be helpful to take Nubeqa around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Nubeqa can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Nubeqa in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Nubeqa, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you don’t take more Nubeqa than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Nubeqa
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Nubeqa. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Nubeqa.
How long does it take for Nubeqa to start working?
Nubeqa starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Nubeqa treatment.
What is the recommended maximum dosage of Nubeqa?
The maximum dosage of Nubeqa that’s recommended is 600 milligrams (mg) two times per day. This comes out to 1,200 mg per day. No additional benefits are seen with doses larger than 1,200 mg per day. For details about Nubeqa dosages, see the “Nubeqa dosage” section above.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Nubeqa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Nubeqa for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Nubeqa without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Nubeqa that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Nubeqa. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Nubeqa: For information about other aspects of Nubeqa, refer to this article.
- Details about prostate cancer: For details about prostate cancer, see our prostate cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.