Durvalumab Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 5, 2023.

Applies to durvalumab: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before receiving this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor right away if you have a cough, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem with this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem (eg, pneumonitis).

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, a loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Colitis (inflammation of the colon) may occur with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have stomach pain or tenderness, watery or bloody diarrhea, or a fever after receiving the medicine.

Adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid gland problems may occur while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have changes in mood or behavior, constipation, dry skin or hair, feeling cold, sensitivity to heat, sweating, trouble sleeping, or weight changes.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Serious skin reactions (eg, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS), or toxic epidermal necrolysis) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, severe acne or a skin rash, sore throat, sores or ulcers on the skin, mouth, or lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness with this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you have severe headache, drowsiness, confusion, general feeling of illness, or stiff neck or back while you are receiving this medicine. These may be symptoms of meningitis.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have a cough that won't go away, weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, painful or difficult urination, or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, blurred vision, or feeling generally ill. These may be signs that you have an infection.

This medicine may cause inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium) called myocarditis. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, fever, chills, a fast heartbeat, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may cause thrombocytopenic purpura. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blood in the urine, bloody nose, fever, heavier menstrual periods, pinpoint red spots on the skin, skin rash, unusual bleeding or bruising or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Call your doctor right away if you have difficulty with breathing, swallowing, or talking, muscle weakness, severe tiredness, or sudden numbness and weakness in the arms or legs. These could be symptoms of a nervous system problem.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious type of an allergic reaction called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a skin rash, dizziness, trouble breathing, chest tightness, swelling in your face or hands, fever or chills while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk for possible organ transplant rejection. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Serious side effects of durvalumab

Along with its needed effects, durvalumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking durvalumab:

Other side effects of durvalumab

Some side effects of durvalumab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to durvalumab: intravenous solution.

Endocrine adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Immune-mediated endocrinopathies (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypophysitis/hypopituitarism)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (dermatitis, dermatitis acneiform, dermatitis psoriasiform, psoriasis, rash maculopapular, rash pruritic, rash papular, rash pustular, skin toxicity, eczema, erythema, erythema multiforme, rash erythematous, acne, lichen planus) (11%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Immune-related myocarditis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (e.g., cystitis, candiduria, urosepsis) (15%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (21%), nausea (16%), abdominal pain (upper, lower, flank) (14%), diarrhea/colitis (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration
• Frequency not reported: Immune-mediated colitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver injury, immune-mediated hepatitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased ASO, increased ALT, hyperbilirubinemia
• Frequency not reported: Immune-mediated hepatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite/hypophagia (19%), hyponatremia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Deterioration of general physical health, increased alkaline phosphatase, hypermagnesemia, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, neutropenia, hyperkalemia, hypoalbuminemia^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion-related reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Infections (e.g., sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uveitis and keratitis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (e.g., back pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, myalgia, neck pain) (24%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia/tumor associated fever
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Immune-related aseptic meningitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (e.g., asthenia, lethargy, malaise) (39%), peripheral edema (e.g., edema, localized edema, edema peripheral, lymphedema, peripheral swelling, scrotal edema, scrotal swelling) (15%), pyrexia/tumor associated fever (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Embryofetal toxicity^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Acute kidney injury, increased creatinine^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea/exertional dyspnea (24%), cough/productive cough (10%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Immune-mediated pneumonitis^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What type of drug is Imfinzi?

Further information

Durvalumab side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer