Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is an oral medication used as targeted treatment for certain types of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. You take it as a pill by mouth, typically 2 tablets twice a day. And depending on the cancer you’re taking the medication for, you can use it alone or together with other anticancer treatments. Common side effects include nausea, upset stomach, and fatigue.
What is Lynparza (olaparib)?
What is Lynparza (olaparib) used for?
- 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 Lynparza (olaparib) works
Lynparza (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, Lynparza (olaparib) prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, which kills them.
Drug facts
Side effects of Lynparza (olaparib)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Lower blood cell counts (up to 87%)
- Nausea (77%)
- Fatigue (67%)
- Stomach pain (45%)
- Vomiting (40%)
- Diarrhea (37%)
- Signs of kidney stress (34%)
Note: Side effects above are reported in studies using Lynparza (olaparib) as a maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer. Side effects can vary based on the type of cancer and other medications you're taking.
Less Common Side Effects
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Colds and sinus infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Changes in taste
- Dizziness
- Lowered appetite
- Trouble breathing
Lynparza (olaparib) serious side effects
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
The following Lynparza (olaparib) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Lynparza (olaparib)
Pros
- A type of targeted therapy, so it works on specific cancer cells
- Pill are taken by mouth, so it’s convenient to take
- Recommended maintenance therapy for ovarian and pancreatic cancer
Cons
- Commonly causes bothersome nausea and fatigue
- Must have specific mutations in order to use the medication
- Interacts with many other medications, supplements, and other products (e.g. grapefruit juice)
Pharmacist tips for Lynparza (olaparib)
- Lynparza (olaparib) is available as 150 mg (green) and 100 mg (yellow) tablets. You’ll need two of the 150 mg tablets to make the typical 300 mg dose, taken twice daily.
- Make sure to swallow Lynparza (olaparib) tablets whole, and avoid chewing, crushing, or cutting the tablets.
- If you miss a Lynparza (olaparib) dose, skip the dose and take your next dose of mediation at the next scheduled time.
- Lynparza (olaparib) often causes nausea and vomiting. If your provider prescribed medication to prevent nausea and vomiting (e.g. ondansetron (Zofran)), you can take a dose 30 minutes to 1 hour before Lynparza (olaparib) to prevent these symptoms.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Lynparza (olaparib) since it can lead to higher levels of the medication in the body. This raises your risk for side effects of the medication.
- Lynparza (olaparib) can interact with many medications, either by raising your risk of side effects or potentially making the medication less effective at treating your cancer. So it’s important to share a complete list of medications, herbals, and supplements you’re taking with your healthcare team.
- Lynparza (olaparib) can harm unborn babies. Talk with your provider before starting Lynparza (olaparib) if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you’re able to become pregnant, make sure to use effective birth control while taking Lynparza (olaparib) and for 6 months after your last dose.
- If you’re male and have a partner who can become pregnant, use effective birth control and avoid donating sperm while taking Lynparza (olaparib) and for 3 months after your last dose to prevent harm to an unborn baby.
- Avoid breastfeeding while taking Lynparza (olaparib) and for 1 month after your last dose. This is because it’s unknown whether this medication is safe for those who are breastfeeding.
Common questions about Lynparza (olaparib)
No, Lynparza (olaparib) is considered a targeted therapy. Targeted therapies work in a more specific way than traditional chemotherapy. While traditional chemotherapy acts against all fast-growing cells (not just tumor cells), targeted therapy, like Lynparza (olaparib), works on certain types of cancer cells. This can lead to less harm for normal cells.
Your treatment team will do specific tests of your blood and tumor to check if your cancer has the specific gene mutations that Lynparza (olaparib) works against. It's important to understand that for some cancers, even if they have the mutations that Lynparza (olaparib) targets, there might be other treatments recommended as the first choice before considering this medication.
Maintenance therapy is a treatment that’s given after first-choice cancer treatment. Its job is to stop the cancer from growing and spreading, so it can help prevent the cancer from coming back. For certain cancers, like ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer, Lynparza (olaparib) is approved as a maintenance treatment after platinum-based chemotherapy.
The amount of time you’ll need to take Lynparza (olaparib) depends on the cancer, how well the treatment is working, and whether you have side effects from the medication. For early breast cancer, it’s recommended to take Lynparza (olaparib) for up to 1 year. For ovarian cancer, it’s recommended to take Lynparza (olaparib) for up to 2 years. If the ovarian cancer is under control, you could potentially stop the medication. Otherwise, your treatment team might recommend you continue the medication. And for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and metastatic breast cancer, there’s no specific time limit for how long you should take Lynparza (olaparib). Your treatment team will check your symptoms, do blood tests, and/or have you do scans to make sure the medication is working to treat your cancer.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common Lynparza (olaparib) side effects. It’s a good idea to try to eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent stomach upset. It can also help to select foods that are easy to digest, like broth or rice. Your health care team might have prescribed medications to take as needed for nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea to help lower your symptoms. If these side effects are disrupting your daily routine, talk to your healthcare team for additional guidance on how to manage these side effects.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Lynparza (olaparib)
Lynparza (olaparib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk for bone marrow problems and new cancers
- Risk factors: Previous treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy or other DNA-damaging treatments
Although rare, in clinical studies with Lynparza (olaparib), people developed a bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or new cancers of the blood. These conditions can be fatal and occurred anywhere from less than 6 months to more than 10 years after starting the medication. And many were previously treated with agents that can raise risk for second cancers, like radiation or platinum-containing chemotherapy. Your provider will have you do blood tests before starting Lynparza (olaparib), and then once a month to monitor for possible secondary cancers. Talk to your provider if you’re concerned about the risk for other cancers with Lynparza (olaparib).
Lung problems
Lung problems (pneumonitis) has occurred in some people taking Lynparza (olaparib). In rare cases, this can be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsened cough, shortness of breath, or fevers. Your provider will probably have you stop taking Lynparza (olaparib) while they check your lungs.
Blood clots
In studies, some people taking Lynparza (olaparib) developed serious blood clots. These clots can happen anywhere in your body, including your lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE)) or in your arms and legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)). Get emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot, such as swelling, having trouble catching your breath, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking. If you do have a blood clot, your provider will likely start a blood thinning medication to treat the clot.
Harm to the unborn baby
Lynparza (olaparib) can harm unborn babies. Let your provider know if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you’re able to become pregnant, your provider will have you do a pregnancy test before starting treatment. They’ll also ask you to use effective birth control while taking this medication and for at least 6 months after your last dose. If you’re male and have a partner who’s able to become pregnant, continue using effective birth control while taking Lynparza (olaparib) and for at least 3 months after your last dose.
Lynparza (olaparib) dosage
Typical dosage for Lynparza (olaparib)
The typical dose 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 Lynparza (olaparib), or experience side effects from Lynparza (olaparib).
- Ovarian cancer: If Avastin (bevacizumab) was part of your previous treatment plan, it’s likely you’ll continue Avastin while taking Lynparza (olaparib).
- Prostate cancer: While you’re taking Lynparza (olaparib), you’ll need to continue testosterone-lowering treatments, such as leuprolide (Lupron) or have had testicles removed (orchiectomy).
What are alternatives to Lynparza (olaparib)?
News about Lynparza (olaparib)
Lynparza (olaparib) images
