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Nubeqa (darolutamide)
Starting Nubeqa can bring up a lot of questions, for you and for the people who love you. Here you'll find what to expect, how to feel your best day to day and where to get help, so you can focus on your life and time together.
ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
Hormone therapy (androgen receptor inhibitor) · Used for: Prostate cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Hormone therapy (androgen receptor inhibitor)
The quick guide
What it is: Hormone therapy (androgen receptor inhibitor).
How it's given: Tablets by mouth twice a day with food.
How it works: Nubeqa blocks the androgen receptor. Used for non-metastatic castration-resistant and metastatic castration-sensitive (hormone-sensitive) prostate cancer, alone or with docetaxel.
Side effects you may notice, and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | Short walks and planned rest. |
| Pain in arms or legs | Tell your care team; they can help. |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) | Thick fragrance-free moisturizer, sunscreen, gentle soap. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Rash
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ Each day on treatment
- Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
- If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | ☐ | |
| Pain in arms or legs | ☐ | |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) | ☐ |
Help paying for Nubeqa (darolutamide)
Nubeqa (darolutamide) is made by Bayer.
Official manufacturer program:
- Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation: Free Bayer medicines for people who qualify, plus copay help.
Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:
- PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
- Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
- NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.
📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Help from drug makers · Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support for you and your family
- ZERO Prostate Cancer: Patient navigation (ZERO360), financial help and support
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Questions people often ask
How does Nubeqa work?
Nubeqa blocks the androgen receptor.
How is Nubeqa given?
Tablets or capsules by mouth twice a day with food.
📄 The official FDA label for Nubeqa (darolutamide), including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write