Cancer drugs A to Z list
Darolutamide is also known as Nubeqa. You are likely to have it with other cancer drugs.
You might have darolutamide with other types of hormone therapy if your cancer has not spread to other parts of the body and other hormone treatments have stopped working.
You may have darolutamide with other hormone therapy and chemotherapy if you have prostate cancer that has spread.
Find out more about prostate cancer
Most prostate cancers need the hormone testosterone to grow. The make almost all testosterone in men. There are 2 , one above each . The adrenal glands also make a small amount of testosterone.
Darolutamide is a hormone treatment that blocks testosterone from reaching prostate cancer cells. This can slow the growth of the cancer. You might hear it called an androgen receptor blocker (inhibitor).
You have darolutamide as tablets. You swallow them whole with food.
Speak to your pharmacist if you have problems swallowing the tablets.
Whether you have a full or an empty stomach can affect how much of a drug gets into your bloodstream.
You should take the right dose, no more or less.
Talk to your healthcare team before you stop taking a cancer drug or if you miss a dose.
You take darolutamide twice a day, morning, and evening.
You usually carry on taking darolutamide for as long as the treatment is working, and you are not experiencing too many side effects.
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Side effects can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatments you're having.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:
you have severe side effects
your side effects aren’t getting any better
your side effects are getting worse
Early treatment can help manage side effects better.
We haven't listed all the side effects here. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any new symptoms that you think might be a side effect of your treatment.
Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects. But you might have some of them at the same time.
These side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
Tiredness and weakness (fatigue) can happen during and after treatment. Doing gentle exercises each day can keep your energy up. Don't push yourself, rest when you start to feel tired and ask others for help.
Increased risk of getting an infection is due to a drop in white blood cells. Symptoms include a change in temperature, aching muscles, cough, headaches, feeling cold and shivery, pain or a burning feeling when peeing, or generally feeling unwell. You might have other symptoms depending on where the infection is.
Infections can sometimes be life threatening. You should contact your advice line urgently if you think you have an infection.
You might have liver changes that are usually mild and unlikely to cause symptoms. They usually go back to normal when treatment finishes.
You have regular blood tests to check for any changes in the way your liver is working.
These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
a build up of fatty substances in the arteries, causing a blockage (ischemic heart disease)
heart failure - you might feel breathless after activity or when resting, feel very tired, feel faint or have swollen ankles and legs
skin rash
pain in your arms, legs, feet or hands
pain in your muscles or joints
breaks in the bones (fractures)
finding it difficult to wee
blood in your wee
infection in the lung (pneumonia) - you might have a cough, feel breathless and have a high temperature
We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them.
Read more about how to cope with side effects
Cancer drugs can interact with medicines, herbal products, and some food and drinks. We are unable to list all the possible interactions that may happen. An example is grapefruit or grapefruit juice which can increase the side effects of certain drugs.
Tell your healthcare team about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Also let them know about any other medical conditions or allergies you may have.
This treatment might harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to get someone pregnant while you are having treatment and for one week afterwards. Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. Let them know straight away if your partner falls pregnant while you're having treatment.
It is not known whether this treatment affects in people. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future.
Don’t breastfeed during this treatment because the drug may come through into your breast milk.
If you are having tests or treatment for anything else, always mention your cancer treatment. For example, if you are visiting your dentist.
For further information about this treatment and possible side effects go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. You can find the patient information leaflet on this website.
You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme.
Last reviewed: 13 Jul 2023
Next review due: 13 Jul 2026
Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of hormones in the body to stop or slow down the growth of cancer.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
Cancer drugs have side effects and these can vary from person to person. But there are things that you can do to help you cope.
Coping with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
