Lynparza (Olaparib) for Ovarian Cancer

Overview
Lynparza is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Lynparza is often prescribed in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin). Lynparza is also referred to by its drug name, olaparib.

Lynparza is a member of a class of drugs called poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. PARP is a family of enzymes (proteins) that can be involved in the proliferation of cancer cells. Lynparza is believed to work by inhibiting these enzymes, which disrupts cancer cell survival processes, resulting in cell death.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lynparza is taken orally as a tablet twice daily, with or without food.

Lynparza should be taken exactly as prescribed by a physician.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Lynparza lists common side effects including nausea, fatigue, weakness, low red blood cell counts, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, headache, low white blood cell counts, changes in taste sensation, cough, shortness of breath, dizziness, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Lynparza include fetal harm, pneumonitis (lung inflammation), myelodysplastic syndrome (disruption in the body’s production of blood cells), acute myeloid leukemia (a potentially fatal disorder of the bone marrow), and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Highlights of Prescribing Information — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/...
Lynparza — AstraZeneca
https://www.lynparza.com/
Olaparib (Oral Route) — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ol...