Rx only
Fact box
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-androgens
- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Prescription (Rx)
Available as
300 MG · Oral Tablet
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE NUBEQA is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). ( 1 ) metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). ( 1 ) metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in combination with docetaxel. ( 1 ) NUBEQA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in combination with docetaxel.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Darolutamide is an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor. Darolutamide competitively inhibits androgen binding, AR nuclear translocation, and AR-mediated transcription. A major metabolite, ketodarolutamide, exhibited similar in vitro activity to darolutamide. In addition, darolutamide functioned as a progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist in vitro (approximately 1% activity compared to AR). Darolutamide decreased prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of prostate cancer.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Dosage : NUBEQA 600 mg (two 300 mg tablets) administered orally twice daily. Swallow tablets whole. Take NUBEQA with food. ( 2.1 ) For patients with mCSPC treated with NUBEQA in combination with docetaxel, administer the first cycle of docetaxel within 6 weeks after the start of NUBEQA treatment. ( 2.1 ) Patients should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or antagonist concurrently or have had bilateral orchiectomy. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dose of NUBEQA is 600 mg (two 300 mg tablets) taken orally, twice daily, with food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Patients receiving NUBEQA should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or antagonist concurrently or have had a bilateral orchiectomy. When used in combination with docetaxel for mCSPC, administer the first of 6 cycles of docetaxel within 6 weeks after the start of NUBEQA treatment. Refer to docetaxel prescribing information for additional dosing information, including dosage modifications. Treatment with NUBEQA may be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, even if a cycle of docetaxel is delayed, interrupted, or discontinued [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Advise patients to swallow tablets whole with food, to take any missed dose as soon as they remember prior to the next scheduled dose, and not to take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. 2.2 Dosage Modification If a patient experiences a greater than or equal to Grade 3 or an intolerable adverse reaction, withhold NUBEQA or reduce dosage to 300 mg twice daily until symptoms improve. NUBEQA may be resumed at a dose of 600 mg twice daily, when adverse reaction returns to baseline [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Dosage reduction below 300 mg twice daily is not recommended. For patients who experience ischemic heart disease or seizure, additional dose modifications may be required [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 and 5.2) ]. 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Severe Renal Impairment For patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) not receiving hemodialysis, the recommended dose of NUBEQA is 300 mg twice daily [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.4 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Moderate Hepatic Impairment For patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), the recommended dose of NUBEQA is 300 mg twice daily [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS In nmCRPC and mCSPC : The most common adverse reactions (>10% with a ≥2% increase over placebo), including laboratory test abnormalities, are increased AST, decreased neutrophil count, increased bilirubin, fatigue, and increased ALT. ( 6.1 ) In mCSPC in combination with docetaxel : The most common adverse reactions (≥10% with a ≥2% increase over placebo) are constipation, rash, decreased appetite, hemorrhage, increased weight, and hypertension. The most common laboratory test abnormalities (≥30%) are anemia, hyperglycemia, decreased lymphocyte count, decreased neutrophil count, increased AST, increased ALT, and hypocalcemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-842-2937 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or WWW.FDA.GOV/MEDWATCH. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The pooled data in WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS reflect two randomized clinical trials [ARAMIS, ARANOTE] in patients with nmCRPC (N = 954) and mCSPC (N = 445) treated with NUBEQA. In these trials, the median duration of treatment was 18.2 months (range 0.03 to 44.3) for patients who received NUBEQA [ see Clinical Studies (14) ]. In this pooled safety population, the most common adverse reactions (>10% with a ≥2% increase over placebo), including laboratory test abnormalities were increased AST, decreased neutrophil count, increased bilirubin, fatigue and increased ALT. The safety of NUBEQA in combination with docetaxel in mCSPC is based on data from 1302 patients of whom 652 received at least one dose of NUBEQA in the ARASENS study [ see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Non-Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ARAMIS The safety of NUBEQA in nmCRPC patients was evaluated in ARAMIS, a randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Patients received either NUBEQA at a dose of 600 mg, or a placebo, twice a day. All patients in the ARAMIS study received a concomitant gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog or had a bilateral orchiectomy. Among patients who received NUBEQA, the median duration of exposure was 14.8 months (range: 0 to 44.3 months). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients receiving NUBEQA and in 20% of patients receiving placebo. Serious adverse reactions in ≥1% of patients who received NUBEQA included urinary retention, pneumonia and hematuria. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.9% of patients receiving NUBEQA and 3.2% of patients receiving placebo. Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2 patients who received NUBEQA included death (0.4%), cardiac failure (0.3%), cardiac arrest (0.2%), general physical health deterioration (0.2%), and pulmonary embolism (0.2%). Permanent discontinuation of NUBEQA due to adverse reactions occurred in 9% of patients receiving NUBEQA. The most common adverse reactions requiring permanent discontinuation in patients who received NUBEQA included cardiac failure (0.4%), and death (0.4%). Dosage interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 13% of patients treated with NUBEQA. The most common adverse reactions requiring dosage interruption in patients who received NUBEQA included hypertension (0.6%), diarrhea (0.5%), and pneumonia (0.5%). Dosage reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients treated with NUBEQA. The most common adverse reactions requiring dosage reduction in patients treated with NUBEQA included fatigue (0.7%), hypertension (0.3%), and nausea (0.3%). The most common (>2% with a ≥2% increase compared to placebo) adverse reactions, including laboratory test abnormalities, were increased AST, decreased neutrophil count, fatigue, increased bilirubin, pain in extremity, and rash. Tab
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of NUBEQA have not been established in females. Based on its mechanism of action, NUBEQA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ]. Animal embryo-fetal developmental toxicology studies were not conducted with darolutamide. There are no human data on the use of NUBEQA in pregnant females.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of NUBEQA have not been established in females.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…2.3 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Severe Renal Impairment For patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) not receiving hemodialysis, the recommended dose of NUBEQA is 300 mg twice daily [see Use in Specific…
LiverConsult your doctor
…2.4 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Moderate Hepatic Impairment For patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), the recommended dose of NUBEQA is 300 mg twice daily [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Ischemic Heart Disease : Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors. Monitor for signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease. Discontinue NUBEQA for Grade 3-4 events. ( 5.1 ) Seizure : Consider discontinuation of NUBEQA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. ( 5.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : NUBEQA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception. ( 5.3 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Ischemic Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease, including fatal cases, occurred in patients receiving NUBEQA. In a pooled analysis of ARAMIS and ARANOTE, ischemic heart disease occurred in 3.4% of patients receiving NUBEQA and 2.2% receiving placebo, including Grade 3-4 events in 1.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients receiving NUBEQA and 0.4% receiving placebo. In ARASENS, ischemic heart disease occurred in 3.2% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel and 2% receiving placebo with docetaxel, including Grade 3-4 events in 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Ischemic events led to death in 0.3% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel and 0% receiving placebo with docetaxel. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue NUBEQA for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease. 5.2 Seizure Seizure occurred in patients receiving NUBEQA. In a pooled analysis of ARAMIS and ARANOTE, Grade 1-3 seizure occurred in 0.2% of patients receiving NUBEQA. Seizure occurred from 261 to 665 days after initiation of NUBEQA. In ARASENS, seizure occurred in 0.8% of patients receiving NUBEQA with docetaxel, including two Grade 3 events. Seizure occurred from 38 to 1754 days after initiation of NUBEQA. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with NUBEQA. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while receiving NUBEQA and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause harm to themselves or others. Consider discontinuation of NUBEQA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. 5.3 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity The safety and efficacy of NUBEQA have not been established in females. Based on its mechanism of action, NUBEQA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of NUBEQA [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Pediatric use
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of NUBEQA in pediatric patients have not been established.
⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.
Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Combined P-gp and Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers : Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.1 ) Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A Inhibitors : Monitor patients more frequently for NUBEQA adverse reactions. ( 7.1 ) BCRP Substrates : Avoid concomitant use with drugs that are BCRP substrates where possible. If used together, monitor patients more frequently for adverse reactions and consider dose reduction of the BCRP substrate drug. ( 7.2 ) OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 Substrates : Concomitant use of NUBEQA may increase the plasma concentrations of OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 substrates. If used together, monitor patients more frequently for adverse reactions and consider dose reduction of these drugs. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on NUBEQA Combined P-gp and Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducer Concomitant use of NUBEQA with a combined P-gp and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer decreases darolutamide exposure which may decrease NUBEQA activity [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Avoid concomitant use of NUBEQA with combined P-gp and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Concomitant use of NUBEQA with a combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases darolutamide exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] which may increase the risk of NUBEQA adverse reactions . Monitor patients more frequently for NUBEQA adverse reactions and modify NUBEQA dosage as needed [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . 7.2 Effects of NUBEQA on Other Drugs Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) and Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 Substrates NUBEQA is an inhibitor of BCRP transporter. Concomitant use of NUBEQA increases the AUC and C max of BCRP substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ], which may increase the risk of BCRP substrate-related toxicities. Avoid concomitant use with drugs that are BCRP substrates where possible. If used together, monitor patients more frequently for adverse reactions, and consider dose reduction of the BCRP substrate drug. NUBEQA is an inhibitor of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 transporters. Concomitant use of NUBEQA may increase the plasma concentrations of OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 substrates. Monitor patients more frequently for adverse reactions of these drugs and consider dose reduction while patients are taking NUBEQA [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , Review the prescribing information of the BCRP, OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 substrates when used concomitantly with NUBEQA.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no known specific antidote for darolutamide overdose. The highest dose of NUBEQA studied clinically was 900 mg twice daily, equivalent to a total daily dose of 1800 mg. No dose limiting toxicities were observed with this dose. Considering the saturable absorption and the absence of evidence for acute toxicity, an intake of a higher than recommended dose of darolutamide is not expected to lead to systemic toxicity in patients with intact hepatic and renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In the event of intake of a higher than recommended dose in patients with severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment, if there is suspicion of toxicity, interrupt NUBEQA treatment and undertake general supportive measures until clinical toxicity has been diminished or resolved. If there is no suspicion of toxicity, NUBEQA treatment can be continued with the next dose as scheduled.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
2 marketed products on record (RxNorm)
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.