Lurbinectedin
Say it: lur-bih-NEK-teh-din · Brand names: Zepzelca
Lurbinectedin is a chemotherapy medicine that binds to DNA in cancer cells and stops them from making the proteins they need to grow.
What it is
Lurbinectedin attaches to DNA inside cancer cells. This blocks the cell from reading its genes and damages the DNA. The cancer cells then die.
Often used for
- small cell lung cancer that has spread and came back after platinum chemotherapy
- small cell lung cancer, as ongoing (maintenance) treatment with atezolizumab after first treatment
How you get it
Lurbinectedin is given through a vein (IV) over about 1 hour. It is usually given once every 3 weeks. You get anti-nausea medicine before each dose. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Feeling tired. Rest and short walks can help.
- Low blood counts, which raise your risk of infection and bleeding. Wash your hands often.
- Nausea and vomiting. Take your anti-nausea medicine as your team tells you.
- Poor appetite. Try small meals and snacks.
- Muscle or joint aches. Ask your team which pain medicine is safe.
- Constipation. Drink fluids and eat fiber.
- Shortness of breath or cough. Tell your team if it is new or worse.
Call your care team right away if you have
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills
- Pain, swelling, or redness where the IV went in
- Severe muscle pain or weakness, or dark brown urine
- Yellow skin or eyes or dark urine
- Bleeding or bruising that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or blood in your urine
Before you start, tell your team
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If you have liver problems
- All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take, especially antibiotics, antifungals, seizure medicines, or St. John's wort
Good to know
- You will have blood tests before each dose to check your blood counts and liver.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. They can raise the amount of medicine in your body.
- If the medicine leaks out of the vein, it can damage the skin. Tell your nurse about any burning.
- Rarely, it can damage muscles.
- It can harm an unborn baby. Women and men should use birth control during treatment and for a time after.
Questions to ask
- How many treatments will I get?
- Do I need a port for this medicine?
- Which foods and medicines should I avoid?
- What should I do if I get a fever?
Side effect guides
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Appetite loss and weight loss
- Low white blood cells and infection risk
- Low platelets and bleeding
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Pain
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Lurbinectedin?
- Lurbinectedin is a chemotherapy medicine that binds to DNA in cancer cells and stops them from making the proteins they need to grow. Brand names: Zepzelca.
- What is Lurbinectedin used for?
- small cell lung cancer that has spread and came back after platinum chemotherapy; small cell lung cancer, as ongoing (maintenance) treatment with atezolizumab after first treatment.
- How is Lurbinectedin given?
- Lurbinectedin is given through a vein (IV) over about 1 hour. It is usually given once every 3 weeks. You get anti-nausea medicine before each dose. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Lurbinectedin?
- Feeling tired. Low blood counts, which raise your risk of infection and bleeding. Nausea and vomiting. Poor appetite. Muscle or joint aches. Constipation. Shortness of breath or cough.
- When should I call my care team while taking Lurbinectedin?
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills; Pain, swelling, or redness where the IV went in; Severe muscle pain or weakness, or dark brown urine; Yellow skin or eyes or dark urine; Bleeding or bruising that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or blood in your urine.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.