Researchers looked at 18 reported cases of patients with prostate cancer who developed severe skin reactions while taking the drug apalutamide. They wanted to understand what types of reactions occurred and how they were managed. The patients were from around the world, though most reported cases came from East Asia.
The main finding was that the most frequent severe reaction was Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), which appeared in 14 of the 18 cases. These reactions are serious and can be life-threatening. On average, symptoms started about 40 days after patients began taking the drug.
It is very important to understand that this review only looked at existing case reports. This means we cannot tell how often these reactions actually happen in the wider population of people taking the drug. The study suggests that if a severe rash develops, stopping the drug immediately is the most critical step. Patients should contact their doctor right away if they notice any new or worsening skin issues while on this medication.
