What is this medication for?
Durvalumab is a therapy that increases the immune response, and is used to treat certain types of cancer. It works with your body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells.
How should I take or use this medication?
Durvalumab is given via an injection into the vein, as an infusion (drip).
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You are taking steroids or have an auto-immune condition.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
- Mild itch, rashes that resolves within a few days
- Mild diarrhea
- Muscle ache, feeling tired
These side-effects are usually mild and may occur within a few weeks after the first dose.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
- Allergic reactions may develop during the first few infusions. Symptoms may include feeling very cold, shivering, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, flushing or itch.
- Alert your nurse if you experience any of the above during the infusion.
- Severe skin rashes that are painful or peeling, or affect a large area of the body.
- Symptoms of liver or gut problems such as having severe diarrhea, black sticky stools or stools with blood or mucus, dark-coloured urine, severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, easy bruising, severe nausea or vomiting or loss of appetite.
- Symptoms of thyroid problems such as extreme tiredness, abnormal intolerance of cold or heat, feeling irritable, unusual weight gain or loss
- Symptoms of high blood sugar such as always feeling hungry or thirsty, having to pass urine often
- Symptoms of eye problems such as having blurred vision, double vision, eye pain or redness, or any other problems with vision
- Severe pain in muscle or joints that affect walking or sleeping
- Persistent shortness of breath or dry cough
- Being unable to pass urine
Disclaimer
The content of this article does not replace the information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS).
The images and video in this article has been developed by the Singapore National Asthma Programme (SNAP) and have been reviewed by the PSS-National Medication Information workgroup.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore