Olaparib, Lynparza
Description: Antineoplastic Agent, PARP Inhibitor
CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship
How Does It Work
Olaparib, Lynparza is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme inhibitor, including PARP1, PARP2, and PARP3. PARP enzymes are involved in DNA transcription, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair.
Indications For Use
Breast cancer, metastatic; Ovarian cancer, advanced; Pancreatic cancer, metastatic; Prostate cancer, metastatic, castration-resistant
Precautions
Before starting Olaparib, Lynparza make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, if you have renal impairment, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Olaparib, Lynparza use has been associated with rare but serious adverse events such as bone marrow suppression, GI toxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, pulmonary toxicity, and secondary malignancies.
Usual Dosing
300-400mg twice daily
Pharmacist Tips On Using
How to Take: Administer approximately every 12 hours with or without food. Swallow tablets whole; do not chew, crush, dissolve, or divide tablet. Swallow capsules whole; do not chew, dissolve, or open capsule; do not administer if capsules appear deformed or show evidence of leakage. Olaparib is available in tablets and (in some regions) capsules. Due to differences in dosing and bioavailability, do not substitute capsules for tablets (or vice versa) on a mg-per-mg basis.
You Need to Avoid: Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, or Seville orange juice as they may increase olaparib plasma concentrations.
Side Effects
Skin rash, hypomagnesemia, abdominal pain, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, dysgeusia, dyspepsia, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, urinary tract infection, anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, influenza, dizziness, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, asthenia, back pain, myalgia, increased serum creatinine, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, nasopharyngitis, respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection
Note this is not a complete list of side effects, only the most common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would my physician prescribe a medication with such serious side effects?
Your physician takes the most recent clinical guidelines to make evidence-based decisions on what medication is appropriate in which situations. Your current medications, your allergies, age, cost of medication, comorbid conditions and many other factors will further complicate or limit which medications are appropriate. This medication is used for certain forms of cancer and your physician has determined the benefits outweigh the risks. Furthermore, they will be monitoring your bloodwork and symptoms closely to avoid many of the serious side effects and will keep you on the lowest effective dosage for the shortest amount of time possible.