If you have lung cancer, your doctor might suggest Imfinzi (durvalumab) as a treatment option for you.

Imfinzi is a prescription medication that is used by some adults.

Imfinzi comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection into a vein over a period of time. You’ll receive Imfinzi infusions at a clinic or in the hospital.

Depending on the type of cancer you are treating and how well the drug works, the length of your Imfinzi treatment will be dependent. Imfinzi can be used for up to 12 months by people with the disease. Imfinzi is a drug that can be used by people with the disease.

Imfinzi is an immunotherapy drug, which means it works with your immune system to attack cancer cells. It belongs to a group of medications called biologics, which are drugs made from living cells.

For more information about Imfinzi, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Imfinzi can cause mild or serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Below are some of the more common side effects reported by people who took Imfinzi in studies. These side effects can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Imfinzi for non-small cell lung cancer include:

More common side effects in people taking Imfinzi for small cell lung cancer include:

See the side effects explained below for more information.

Some people can have mild side effects from Imfinzi. Depending on the condition Imfinzi is being used to treat, the side effects can vary.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Imfinzi when used for non-small cell lung cancer include:

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Imfinzi when used for small cell lung cancer include:

  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • hair loss

See the side effects explained below for more information.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop using Imfinzi.”

Imfinzi may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See Imfinzi’s prescribing information.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Imfinzi, visit MedWatch.

Some people may experience serious side effects from Imfinzi. There have been serious side effects reported with Imfinzi.

  • The reactions are infused.
  • immune system side effects, which may cause inflammation in your bowels, liver, eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, and other organs
  • breathing problems
  • allergic reaction†

If you develop serious side effects while taking Imfinzi, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Imfinzi. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

There are some side effects Imfinzi may cause.

Note: Imfinzi is usually given with chemotherapy drugs. The side effects reported in studies occurred in people who received Imfinzi with chemotherapy. So it’s unknown whether Imfinzi or the chemotherapy caused certain side effects. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.

Skin rash

Some people may develop a rash during Imfinzi treatment. In studies, rash was one of the most common side effects that people reported.

In some rare cases, Imfinzi may cause a very serious rash, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). These conditions can even be life threatening, so it’s important to treat them right away if they develop. Symptoms may include:

  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever..
  • It was in your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • A rash that is red, purple, or discolored.

What might help

If you develop a rash, see your doctor. They can recommend creams or other medications to treat the rash. They can determine how serious your rash is.

If you develop a more serious rash, such as DRESS, you may need to be hospitalized. These conditions can be life threatening. If you stop using Imfinzi, your doctor may recommend a different treatment.

If you have questions about the rash that develops during Imfinzi treatment, talk to your doctor.

Hair loss

Some people may experience hair loss during Imfinzi treatment. In studies, this was a common side effect reported in people receiving Imfinzi along with chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. It is not known if Imfinzi caused the hair loss or if it was due to the chemotherapy.

In studies, hair loss wasn’t reported in people receiving Imfinzi for non-small cell lung cancer.

What might help

If you experience hair loss during your Imfinzi treatment, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine the cause and the best ways to treat it.

Infusion reactions

In rare cases, Imfinzi can cause reactions. These reactions cause symptoms similar to an allergic reaction. They can happen during or after your injection.

Keep in mind that Imfinzi is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection into a vein over a period of time.

These reactions may be life threatening in some cases. Symptoms may include:

  • “It’s cold.”
  • It is rash or itching.
  • breathing problems
  • dizziness
  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever..
  • “It’s pain in your neck or back.”

What might help

If you experience an reaction to an injection, you should immediately tell your doctor. These reactions can be life threatening in some cases.

Your doctor may recommend that you stop your current infusion until your symptoms improve. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you stop Imfinzi treatment and switch to a different medication.

Cough

Imfinzi may cause a cough in some people. In studies, coughing was a common side effect reported in people receiving Imfinzi.

What might help

If you develop a cough, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll check to make sure your cough isn’t from an immune system condition called pneumonitis (swelling in your lungs). Your doctor can determine the cause of your cough and the best way to treat it.

If you have concerns about developing a cough during Imfinzi treatment, talk to your doctor.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Imfinzi can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Mild or serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Imfinzi, they will decide if you should continue with the treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or breathing problems, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Imfinzi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Keep notes on any side effects you have during your Imfinzi treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • What dose of drug did you take when you had the side effect?
  • How soon after starting that dose did you experience side effects?
  • What were your symptoms after the side effect?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help him learn more about how this drug affects you. If needed, your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Get answers to questions about Imfinzi.

Will I have side effects after stopping Imfinzi?

It’s not likely. Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in Imfinzi’s studies. These are symptoms that happen when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. (With dependence, your body needs a drug in order function like usual.)

If you stop treatment with Imfinzi before your doctor tells you to, your condition may get worse. Before you stop treatment, be sure to talk with your doctor. They can tell you if this is the best option.

How long will I have side effects from Imfinzi?

That can be different between people. The drug can stay in your body for about 3 months after you receive your last dose. Your body will break down most of the drug in your system during this time.

The side effects of Imfinzi may go away before this time. Some people may have side effects until they clear the drug.

If you have questions about how long you might have side effects from Imfinzi, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have a medical condition that affects your health, Imfinzi may not be right for you. Before you take Imfinzi, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Organ or stem cell transplant. If you’ve recently received or plan to receive an organ transplant or stem cell transplant, tell your doctor before starting Imfinzi treatment. Although rare, it’s possible that Imfinzi may cause your body to attack the transplanted cells or organ. Talk with your doctor about whether Imfinzi is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Imfinzi or any of its ingredients, you should not take Imfinzi. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Immune system problems. If you have any immune system problems, such as Crohn’s disease or lupus, tell your doctor before you start Imfinzi. This drug may cause the symptoms of your immune system condition to get worse. Your doctor can determine if Imfinzi is a safe option for you.

Liver or breathing problems. It’s rare, but Imfinzi can cause damage to your lungs and liver. If you already have problems breathing or problems with your liver, talk with your doctor. They can recommend if Imfinzi is safe for you.

Past radiation treatment. Sometimes, non-small cell lung cancer is treated with radiation. This condition is also treated with Imfinzi. If you have radiation before Imfinzi treatment, the radiation may increase your risk for serious inflammation in your lungs. If you’ve had radiation to your chest area, let your doctor known before starting Imfinzi. Your doctor may delay your Imfinzi treatment until the effects of the radiation have worn off.

Infection. Some infections need to be cleared before you can safely start Imfinzi treatment. Tell your doctor about any infections you have before you start receiving Imfinzi.

Alcohol use and Imfinzi

There are no known interactions between Imfinzi and alcohol. But alcohol may make some side effects of Imfinzi worse. Examples of these side effects include nausea and fatigue (lack of energy), and serious conditions such as liver disease.

If you drink alcohol, you should talk to your doctor about how much you should drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Imfinzi

Receiving Imfinzi while pregnant is not recommended. Studies haven’t looked at the drug’s use during pregnancy in humans. But based on the way the medication works and the results of animal studies, it’s believed that Imfinzi could harm a fetus.

Because of this risk, your doctor may recommend that you use birth control during Imfinzi treatment if you’re able to become pregnant. You’ll also need to use birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

It is not recommended to Breastfeeding during Imfinzi treatment. Imfinzi has not been studied to see what effects it may have on a breastfed child. breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment or for at least 3 months after receiving the last dose due to possible risks.

Before you receive treatment with Imfinzi, you should talk with your doctor about your pregnancies, breastfeeding, and other plans.

Imfinzi can be an effective treatment option for certain types of lung cancer. But some people may experience side effects from the drug.

Before you start your Imfinzi treatment, talk to your doctor about your risk for side effects. Some questions you may want to ask.

  • How should I treat side effects from Imfinzi?
  • Which symptoms should I watch for, and when should I contact you?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Imfinzi?
  • Will my other medical conditions increase my risk for side effects?

Q:

Do I have a higher risk for side effects if I’m taking Imfinzi along with other medications, such as chemotherapy drugs?

Anonymous

A:

It depends. Imfinzi is usually taken with other chemotherapy drugs. In studies of Imfinzi, the reported rates of side effects are in people who received Imfinzi with chemotherapy. But if you’re receiving a different type of chemotherapy than those used in studies, you may have different side effects. You may also have a higher risk for certain side effects.

If you have questions about your risk for side effects, talk to your doctor.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.