How to Uses Olaparib, Side Effects & Warnings

What is olaparib?

Olaparib is used to treat cancers of the breast, ovary, fallopian tube, pancreas, prostate, or peritoneum (the membrane that lines the inside of your abdomen and covers some of your internal organs).

Olaparib is sometimes used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or when cancer has come back after treatment with other medications.

Olaparib is sometimes used only if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal “BRCA” or “HRR” gene). Your doctor will test you for this gene.

Olaparib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Olaparib affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, weakness, tiredness, trouble breathing, easy bruising or bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, or weight loss.

You will need weekly or monthly blood tests, and your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Some people who take olaparib with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) medicine may develop a blood clot in the leg or in the lung. Call your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your arm or leg, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, or fast heartbeats.

Olaparib may also cause serious lung problems. Call your doctor if you have chest pain, wheezing, trouble breathing, or a new or worsening cough.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• lung disease, breathing problems; or
• kidney disease.

Olaparib can harm an unborn baby or cause a miscarriage if the mother or the father is using olaparib.

• If you are a woman, do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose. Also do not donate sperm during the 3 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using olaparib.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 month after your last dose.