LYNPARZA (Olaparib)

What is this medication?

LYNPARZA (Olaparib)
Antineoplastic Agent, PARP Inhibitor

LYNPARZA (Olaparib) is indicated for treatment of breast cancer, metastatic; ovarian cancer, advanced; pancreatic cancer, metastatic; prostate cancer, metastatic, castration-resistant.

How does this medication work?

LYNPARZA (Olaparib) 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.

How should I take this medication? 

Oral: Take 300 mg (two 150 mg tablets) taken orally twice daily, with or without food, for a total daily dose of 600 mg. The 100 mg tablet is available for dose reduction.

How to Take: Swallow tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve, or divide tablet.  Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

What should I watch for while using this medication? 

Do not start LYNPARZA (Olaparib) until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤ Grade 1).  If you experience respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough and fever, or a radiological abnormality occurs, stop Olaparib treatment and promptly assess the source of the symptoms and treat for pneumonitis if confirmed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of medication, try to take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, take only that scheduled dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

How should I store this medication?

Keep out of the reach of children at all times. Store at room temperature, 59 to 86° F (15 to 30° C).  Protect from light. Keep the container tightly closed. Properly dispose of any unused medication after the expiration date.

What are the possible side effects of using this medication? 

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 for LYNPARZA (Olaparib), only common ones.