Rubraca (rucaparib) is an anticancer oral medication that’s used to treat adults with ovarian cancer and prostate cancer with certain changes (mutations) in their BRCA genes. It's typically given after you've been treated with chemotherapy. Rubraca (rucaparib) is conveniently available as a pill taken twice a day, 12 hours apart. The most common side effects are nausea, fatigue, and stomach pain.
Recurrent ovarian cancer with BRCA mutations, after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
Metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer with BRCA mutations, after treatment with anti-androgen therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy
Rubraca (rucaparib) 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, Rubraca (rucaparib) prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, which kills them.
Source: Prescribing Information
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome.):
Available as a pill taken by mouth
Targeted treatment option, which works in a more specific way than traditional chemotherapy
Recommended option for certain ovarian cancers and prostate cancer
Needs to be taken twice a day, 12 hours apart
Commonly causes nausea and fatigue
Can make your skin more sensitive to the sun
Rubraca (rucaparib) is available as 200 mg, 250 mg, and 300 mg tablets. You’ll need 2 tablets to make the usual 600 mg dose. Your provider might have you take a lower dose if you have side effects from the full dose. In that case, you might have to use another tablet strength to make your new dose.
Take Rubraca (rucaparib) twice a day, about 12 hours apart, with or without food.
If you miss a dose or vomit your Rubraca (rucaparib) dose, skip taking that dose and continue your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
Rubraca (rucaparib) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. It’s a good idea to protect your skin from sunburn by keeping your skin covered and wearing sunscreen.
You’ll need to have regular blood tests done either weekly or monthly to check that your blood cell counts are healthy while you’re taking Rubraca (rucaparib).
Since Rubraca (rucaparib) can harm unborn babies. Use effective birth control while you’re taking Rubraca (rucaparib) and for 6 months after your last dose.
For men with partners who could become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking Rubraca (rucaparib) and for 3 months after your last dose.
Avoid donating sperm while on treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of Rubraca (rucaparib).
Rubraca (rucaparib) hasn’t been studied in people who are breastfeeding. Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with this medication and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
Rubraca (rucaparib) 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 factors: Previous treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy or other DNA-damaging treatments
Although rare, in clinical studies with Rubraca (rucaparib), people developed a bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or new cancers of the blood. People who developed these new cancers while taking Rubraca (rucaparib) had been on treatment for anywhere between less than 2 months to more than 6 years. Many of those people had previous treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, or other DNA-damaging treatments (like radiation), which can lead to higher risk for these problems. Your provider will have you do blood tests before starting Rubraca (rucaparib), and then once a month (or weekly) to monitor for possible second cancers. Talk to your provider if you’re concerned about your risk for other cancers.
Let your provider know if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Rubraca (rucaparib) is likely to harm unborn babies. 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. For men with partners who are able to become pregnant, continue using effective birth control while taking Rubraca (rucaparib) and for at least 3 months after your last dose.
The typical dose is 600 mg by mouth twice a day, with or without food.
Prostate cancer: While you’re taking Rubraca (rucaparib), you’ll need to continue testosterone-lowering treatments, such as leuprolide (Lupron), or have had your testicles removed (bilateral orchiectomy).
Recurrent ovarian cancer with BRCA mutations, after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
Metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer with BRCA mutations, after treatment with anti-androgen therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy
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
Maintenance treatment for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that's responded to chemotherapy
Maintenance treatment for recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer with BRCA mutations that's responded to chemotherapy
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