Lynparza Tablets (Olaparib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lynparza Tablets Used For?
Lynparza tablets contain olaparib, which belongs to a group of medicines called PARP inhibitors. These medicines work by destroying cancer cells that are not good at repairing DNA damage, particularly those with faulty DNA repair genes such as BRCA genes.
Primary Uses
Lynparza is used to treat BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer that is newly diagnosed after responding to platinum-based chemotherapy; recurrent ovarian cancer that has responded to platinum-based treatment; in combination with bevacizumab for ovarian cancer; germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread; BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer as adjuvant therapy after surgery; germline BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer that has spread; and BRCA-mutated prostate cancer that has spread and no longer responds to testosterone-lowering treatments.
How It Works
PARP inhibitors can destroy cancer cells that are not good at repairing DNA damage. These specific cancer cells can be identified by response to platinum chemotherapy or by looking for faulty DNA repair genes such as BRCA genes.
Good to know: A test is used to determine whether you have the specific type of cancer that responds to Lynparza treatment.
How to Take Lynparza Tablets
Take Lynparza tablets at about the same time each morning and evening. The tablets can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is two 150 mg tablets taken twice each day (a total of 4 tablets each day). Your doctor may prescribe a different dose if you have kidney problems, are taking certain interacting medicines, or experience side effects. Do not chew, crush, dissolve or divide the tablets as this may affect how quickly the drug gets into your body.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next normal dose at its scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten tablets.
Important: Never take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for forgotten tablets.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Pain in stomach area under ribs
- Loss of appetite
- Change in taste of food
- Sore mouth
- Cough
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness or weakness
- Rash and itchy skin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Severe skin reactions with rash, itching, redness, blistering or peeling
- Pain or swelling in extremities, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat
- Lung inflammation with cough, fever and breathing difficulty
- Liver problems with yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, tiredness
- Blood disorders including anemia, low white blood cells, low platelets
- Kidney problems with increased blood creatinine
- Blood-forming cell damage in bone marrow
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Lynparza tablets.
Who Should Not Take Lynparza Tablets
Do not take Lynparza if you are allergic to olaparib or any of the ingredients. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash and itching.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, blood disorders (low red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets), or if you experience new symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, pain or swelling in extremities, chest pain, or signs of liver problems (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, tiredness, loss of appetite).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if pregnant or planning pregnancy. Use effective contraception while taking Lynparza and for 6 months after stopping (women) or 3 months after stopping (men). Men must use condoms during treatment and for 3 months after, and must not donate sperm during this time. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for one month after the last dose.
Serious Conditions: A small number of patients may develop lung inflammation (pneumonitis) or blood clots. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, or unusual swelling.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines and foods may interfere with Lynparza and reduce its effectiveness. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit, Seville oranges and star fruit while taking Lynparza as they may interfere with the medication.
- Antifungal medicines (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Antibiotics (clarithromycin, rifampicin, rifabutin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin)
- HIV medicines (ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, nevirapine, boceprevir, cobicistat, etravirine, efavirenz)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- Modafinil for narcolepsy
- Heart medicines (diltiazem, digoxin, furosemide, valsartan, verapamil)
- Cholesterol medicines (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin)
- Diabetes medicines (glibenclamide, metformin)
- Bosentan for lung blood pressure
- Immune system suppressants (ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus)
- Fentanyl for cancer pain
- Methotrexate
- Quetiapine for mental disorders
- Colchicine for gout
- Dabigatran for blood clots
- St John’s Wort
Alcohol & Driving
Lynparza may cause dizziness and tiredness, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Lynparza affects you. If you experience dizziness or tiredness, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep Lynparza tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Lynparza, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you have no symptoms of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynparza is used as ongoing treatment for cancer. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular appointments and blood tests every month for the first year, then periodically thereafter to check if the medicine is working.
Yes, Lynparza tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them at about the same time each morning and evening for best results.
Do not stop taking Lynparza or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen. Your doctor may interrupt your treatment or reduce your dose if you are having unwanted side effects.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next normal dose at its scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten tablets.
No, you must swallow Lynparza tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, dissolve or divide the tablets as this may affect how quickly the drug gets into your body.
Avoid grapefruit, Seville oranges and star fruit as they may interfere with the medication. Also avoid St John’s Wort and tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking.
Your doctor will test your blood every month for the first year of treatment and periodically thereafter to monitor for side effects and ensure the medicine is working properly.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.