Talzenna (talazoparib) is a targeted therapy that’s used to treat certain types of breast cancer. It’s also taken together with another cancer medication to treat certain metastatic prostate cancers. Talzenna (talazoparib) is available as a capsule that’s taken by mouth once a day. Common side effects include fatigue and low blood cell counts that might require blood transfusions.
Talzenna (talazoparib) is a PARP inhibitor, which means it blocks the PARP protein from working. The PARP protein normally helps cells, including cancer cells, grow and survive by fixing damaged DNA. By blocking PARP from working, Talzenna (talazoparib) prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, which kills the cancer cells.
| Common Brands | Talzenna |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | PARP inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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.
Note: Side effect data are from studies of Talzenna (talazoparib) for breast cancer. You might have different side effects depending on your cancer and dosing schedule.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
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):
Talzenna (talazoparib) 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.
Talzenna (talazoparib) can lower your bone marrow’s ability to make blood cells. Low amounts of blood cells can raise your chance of bleeding and make you more likely to get infections, which could be life-threatening.
Your provider will order blood tests for you to keep track of your blood cell counts. You’ll probably need to stop Talzenna (talazoparib) treatment if they notice your blood cell counts are dropping too low. You might need transfusions if your red blood cell counts are low. Once your blood cells recover, you’ll typically be able to restart treatment but at a lower dose to prevent further side effects.
Contact your provider right away if you suddenly have unusual bleeding or bruising, muscle weakness, or changes in your speech and vision or if you develop a fever. These can be signs of low blood cell counts.
Although rare, some people who took Talzenna (talazoparib) during clinical trials developed other cancers, such as certain types of blood cancers. This happened more commonly in people who had previous treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy or radiation. Before you start taking Talzenna (talazoparib), your provider will make sure your blood cell counts are normal. Your provider will also check your blood tests to look for signs of any new cancer during treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk of developing new cancers while taking Talzenna (talazoparib).
Let your provider know if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Based on findings from animal studies, Talzenna (talazoparib) can harm unborn babies when taken during pregnancy. If you’re able to become pregnant, use reliable birth control while taking this medication and for at least 7 months after your last dose. If you’re male and have a partner who can have children, continue using effective birth control (e.g., condoms) while taking Talzenna (talazoparib) and for at least 4 months after the last dose.
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mg | 30 capsules | $18,189.61 | $606.32 |
| 0.35mg | 30 capsules | $18,189.61 | $606.32 |
Your dose depends on your cancer.
Your provider might adjust your Talzenna (talazoparib) dose depending on your kidney function, any side effects you have, and the other medications you’re taking.
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No. Talzenna is a type of targeted therapy, not chemotherapy. Traditionally, chemotherapy medications kill fast-growing cells in your body to stop cancers from spreading. This means that chemotherapy medications not only target cancer cells, but also healthy cells. But Talzenna targets and blocks a specific protein in your body called PARP to kill certain cancer cells only. This can mean less harm to your normal, healthy cells.
Talzenna is currently only approved for HER2-negative breast cancers with a mutation called a germline BRCA mutation and for prostate cancers with specific mutations in the HRR genes. Your provider will take a sample of your tumor tissue and do tests on it (a biopsy) to check whether you have those specific mutations. If you do, Talzenna might be a treatment option for you.
Talk with your provider about how long you’ll need to take Talzenna. Usually, you’ll continue taking the cancer medication until it stops working against your cancer. Your provider will do blood tests and scans regularly to check that Talzenna is working to treat your cancer. Let your healthcare team know if you feel signs of your cancer coming back or if you’re having trouble with side effects, like fatigue or nausea. Your provider might suggest that you take a break from Talzenna or stop the medication altogether if the side effects become too burdensome.
It’s common to have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea while taking Talzenna. It’s a good idea to try to eat smaller, more frequent meals to help prevent or manage stomach upset. Also make sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated from any vomiting or diarrhea. Talk to your healthcare team if these side effects are disrupting your daily routine. They can recommend medications to manage nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. They might suggest taking a break from the medication if you’re having severe side effects and then restarting treatment at a lower dose once you’re feeling better.
Talzenna often lowers the amount of blood cells in your body. Your provider will check your blood cell counts periodically through blood testing to make sure it’s safe for you to take Talzenna. If your red blood cell or platelet counts are low, your provider will arrange for you to get blood transfusions to help your blood cells return to a safe level. Once your blood cell counts recover and your provider has determined it’s safe to restart Talzenna, you’ll probably restart the medication at a lower dose. Let your healthcare team know if you have symptoms of having low blood cell counts, such as unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, or tiredness. Your providers can check to confirm and help manage this side effect.
