Nubeqa (darolutamide) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for certain types of prostate cancer in adults. As with other drugs, darolutamide may cause side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and rash.
Nubeqa can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Nubeqa in clinical trials:
- fatigue
- pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
- nausea
- skin rash
- constipation
Mild side effects can occur with Nubeqa use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. Also, side effects may vary depending on the condition being treated. For more information, you can refer to the Nubeqa prescribing information.
More common mild side effects reported by people with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer taking Nubeqa include:
- fatigue
- pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
- skin rash
- low level of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell)
- increase in liver enzymes
- diarrhea
More common mild side effects reported by people with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer taking Nubeqa (in combination with docetaxel) include:
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- skin rash
- low level of neutrophils
- increase in liver enzymes
- increase in weight
- anemia
- high blood sugar level
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Nubeqa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Nubeqa may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Nubeqa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- seizures, which may include symptoms such as:
- staring into space
- a dazed or confused state
- shaking
- loss of consciousness
- high blood pressure, which typically doesn’t cause symptoms
- urinary retention (difficulty completely emptying the bladder)
- blood in the urine
- heart problems
- pneumonia
Some of these side effects are discussed in more depth in the “Side effect specifics” section below.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Nubeqa tablets can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Nubeqa, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Nubeqa may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Nubeqa?
No, you shouldn’t drink alcohol during treatment with Nubeqa. Although there are no reports of interactions between alcohol and Nubeqa, consuming alcohol can raise your risk of certain side effects. Some Nubeqa side effects that alcohol can worsen include:
Alcohol consumption may also increase your risk of liver problems. The liver helps remove drugs, including Nubeqa, from your body. If your liver isn’t working well, you may have an increased risk of side effects with Nubeqa. It also may not be safe for you to take Nubeqa if you have liver damage.
Talk with your doctor for more information if you have questions about alcohol and Nubeqa.
Does Nubeqa cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible. Long-term side effects with Nubeqa can happen, but they aren’t common.
Nubeqa can cause heart problems, such as heart failure or ischemic heart disease. These conditions may require long-term treatment or management. (To learn more, see “Side effect specifics” below.)
Seizures can occur during treatment with Nubeqa. If you have a seizure while taking Nubeqa, your doctor will likely recommend you stop taking the drug.
If you have questions about the long-term side effects of Nubeqa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Nubeqa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Nubeqa.
Heart problems
Nubeqa can cause serious heart problems, but they aren’t common. Specifically, ischemic heart disease and heart failure were reported in clinical trials of the drug.
Ischemic heart disease is when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the heart become too narrow. In some cases, this can lead to a heart attack and, rarely, death. The most common symptom of ischemic heart disease is angina. You may feel pressure or heaviness in your chest.
You may also experience:
- shortness of breath
- heartburn
- sweating
- nausea
Heart failure is when your heart doesn’t pump blood around the body efficiently. The cells in your body don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients to work properly. Symptoms of heart failure may include:
Certain health conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, may increase the risk of heart problems during treatment with Nubeqa.
What you can do
If you notice any symptoms of heart problems during treatment with Nubeqa, talk with your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your risk of heart problems while taking Nubeqa. If you have health factors that increase your risk of heart problems, your doctor can recommend ways to manage them. This may include taking medications and maintaining a diet and exercise plan that’s healthy for you.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia was a serious side effect reported in clinical trials of Nubeqa. Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs, typically caused by an infection.
Treatment with Nubeqa can weaken your immune system. In turn, this may increase the risk of developing pneumonia and serious complications from it.
Symptoms of pneumonia may include:
- cough that may produce green or yellow phlegm
- fever, sweating, or chills
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- chest pain
What you can do
If you notice symptoms of pneumonia, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Your doctor can recommend over-the-counter medications to manage your symptoms. They may also prescribe medication to treat your infection.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Nubeqa.
Before taking Nubeqa, discuss your health history with your doctor. Nubeqa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart problems
- lipid disorders such as high cholesterol
- kidney or liver problems
- history of seizures or risk factors for seizures
- previous allergic reaction to Nubeqa or a similar drug
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- alcohol consumption
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.