Key facts about Olaparib
What dosages is Olaparib available in?
Olaparib is available as a 100 mg and 150 mg oral tablet.
What is Olaparib used for?
Olaparib is a PARP inhibitor that is used to treat:
- Advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
- HER2-negative early or metastatic breast cancer with inherited BRCA mutations, typically after initial treatment
- Pancreatic cancer with inherited BRCA mutations, after treatment with first-choice platinum-based chemotherapy
- Metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer with BRCA or HRR gene mutations
How does Olaparib work?
Olaparib is a PARP inhibitor, which means it stops the PARP protein in the body from working. The PARP protein normally helps cells, including cancer cells, grow and survive by fixing damaged DNA. By blocking PARP from working, it prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, which kills them.
How do I take Olaparib?
The typical dose of Olaparib is 300 mg by mouth twice a day, with or without food.
- Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems, take other medications that interact with Olaparib, or experience side effects from Olaparib
- Ovarian cancer: If Avastin (bevacizumab) was part of your previous treatment plan, it’s likely you’ll continue Avastin while taking Olaparib
- Prostate cancer: While you’re taking Olaparib, you’ll need to continue testosterone-lowering treatments, such as leuprolide (Lupron) or have had testicles removed (orchiectomy)
Is it safe for me to take Olaparib?
Olaparib is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Olaparib Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Olaparib:
- Lower blood cell counts
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Signs of kidney stress
Olaparib Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Olaparib. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Bone marrow problems or new cancers: feeling very weak or tired, bruising or bleeding easily, blood in the urine or stool, fevers, unexplained weight loss
- Lung problems: having trouble catching your breath, fever, cough, wheezing
- Blood clots: pain or swelling in the arms or legs, having trouble catching your breath, chest pain, weakness, trouble speaking
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Olaparib
The following medications may interact with Olaparib:
- Strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use
- If concomitant use cannot be avoided, reduce Olaparib dosage
- Strong or moderate CYP3A inducers: Avoid concomitant use
Who makes Olaparib?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Olaparib safe in pregnancy?
Olaparib can harm your unborn baby and may cause loss of
pregnancy (miscarriage). If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Olaparib. Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Olaparib and
for 6 months after the last dose of Olaparib. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant following treatment with Olaparib. Males with female partners who are pregnant or able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Olaparib and for 3 months after the last dose of Olaparib. Do not donate sperm during treatment with Olaparib and for 3 months after your last dose.
