Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• VCW
• December 13, 2017

Zejula (niraparib) "This drug is killing me. I would take chemo over this drug in a heartbeat. It has caused me the worst weakness I have ever felt. I have been taking 300 mg daily for almost 3 months and already had a transfusion. The worst part is that my ca125 is slowly creeping up. Additionally, since the drug is so new, there is not a lot of information out there that I can relate to. I feel like this drug will kill me before the cancer does. It has taken my strength to the point that I can't enjoy the things I've always enjoyed in the past...even during all of my past chemos."

• Super...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

Zejula (niraparib) "Just an update my mom’s scan came back clean after her second go round with Chemo. There is probably some hidden somewhere. Ca-125 number was 18 after her last treatment. Doctor has her taking a month off we go back June 3rd, at that time she will probably go back on Zejula again. I will keep you updated."

• Rob
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

Zejula (niraparib) "I was diagnosed in July 2021. They did not know where it started as it was in the omentum, peritoneal, tumor crushing the bowel, etc. CA125 was 4800. Three doctors said I would be lucky to see Christmas. The Gynecologist wanted to operate immediately Sent home to make a decision but phone call from my oncologist that she had canceled the operation and wanted me to try chemo first. After three months of chemo, I suffered terrible fatigue and lost interest in everything. Had Debulking surgery 31 December 21 then three weeks recuperating. Three months of chemo followed. Same effects as before. the oncologist then started me on Zejula. 300mg per day. I got every side effect. The dosage was decreased to 200mg then 100mg. If this was life it wasn’t worth it. Took 3 months off. Back on 100mg. On vitamins recommended by other Zejula ladies and am having completely different results. Sleeping better. Taking anti-nausea tablets. Starting to be able to exercise. Only negative is pain in the hands and dislocating of the thumb. Not complaining though."

• Virgi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2018

Zejula (niraparib) "I have been using zejula for three months already. Results are very good. Ca 125 test showed 101000 and now its 34000. The problem is blood results. Hemoglobin was 9.2 and doctor reduced zejula from 300 to 200. Now blood tests are good. When I started taking 200 my Ca125 started growing. A month ago my result was 250000. Side effects? The first week was terrible. Vomiting, tiredness ,couldnt eat and sleep. My heart also was beating . Right now I feel rather good.Sometimes have high blood preasure but it is possible to control."

• JRC
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2023

Zejula (niraparib) "Diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in late September 2022. Three rounds of chemo, debulking surgery in Jan 2023, three more rounds of chemo ending on March 21, 2023. On May 2nd, started 200 mg Zejula. On May 18th, the onco called to say to hold Zejula as my platelets were 23. On May 19th, platelets were 58. I felt okay taking Zejula 200 mg. No huge side effects, except platelets, RBC/WBC etc. dropping. On May 31st, admitted to hospital with viral pneumonia. On June 12th, started 100 mg Zejula. Have had two blood draws since starting 100 mg, and numbers are holding. My biggest question that I am receiving conflicting information about (onco vs pharmacist) is - Is 100 mg per day half as effective as 200 mg per day? Onco says no. Pharmacist says yes. Is 100 mg per day better than no mg per day? Absolutely! But it's disheartening that the cancer may have a bigger chance of returning because my body will not tolerate 200 mg per day. Onco says Zejula case study shows the same effectiveness in 200 mg/100 mg."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2021

Zejula (niraparib) "Diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2011 and had complete hysterectomy and splenectomy followed by 6 cycles of chemo. Had a reoccurrence in 2016, surgery and another round of chemo. CT showed no evidence of disease and CA125 was 7. Started Zejula 300mg in March 2017 and had some platelet issues. The dosage was reduced to 200mg and by August 2017 was reduced to 100mg. The side effects at 100mg Zejula were minimal. CT showed small tumors in 2019 and was treated with radiation. Avastin (infusion every three weeks) was added to the 100 mg Zejula treatment following radiation. The tumors occurs again in May 2020 and was again treated with radiation. I have been on Avastin and Zejula without interruption since June 2020. This combination seems to be working."

• Jean
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2019

Zejula (niraparib) "I weigh 143lbs and started taking Zejula 300mg when platlets reached 100. I had all of the side effects during 1st week and could not function at all...very sick. I stopped for 2 weeks to recover then started 200mg. Still have same side effects but not near as bad and I can function somewhat. CA125 is rising. I wonder how long it takes for Zejuka to start working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2021

Zejula (niraparib) "I have been in Zejula for 11 months. Started taking it immediately after finishing my last of six chemo treatments. Started at 300mg side effects were debilitating: extreme insomnia, fatigue, heart racing, constipation, etc. Dropped down to 200mg and still had lots of bad side effects. Ended up having to have a platelet infusion. Went off Zejula altogether to allow blood levels to recover. Went back on 100mg and have been tolerating that dosage fairly well. Decided to up the dosage to 200mg and started that yesterday, time will tell if my body will tolerate it. My CA125 has stay at 6 or 7 for the last 11 months!"

• maggie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2019

Zejula (niraparib) "have been on this drug for 4 months now the only problem I had was high blood pressure on starting this drug my C A125 was 24 then dropped to 13, but on my last visit to the clinic was 20 that was over 4 wks . So now I wonder will it drop again had last chemo 1st March 2019 but have had no real side affects so me just keeping my fingers crossed that it will work for me"

• Catmama
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

Zejula (niraparib) "I started on Zejula first week of June 2022 200 mg/day after 6 rounds of chemo, surgery, then 2 more rounds of chemo for stage 3 B ovarian clear cell carcinoma diagnosed Sept. 2021 at age 68, just over a year after retiring from nursing. I had ZERO physical issues with the chemo, which amazed me. CA 125 came down rapidly and has stayed down. Signatera blood test was negative for cancer cells the end of June. First few weeks on Zejula I felt fine, no symptoms to speak of, only very, very mild nausea a couple of times. I am on my second batch of Zejula now and I feel very differently: low grade fever/chills almost every day, tired, fatigued to the point that I have no interest in anything, no energy for anything, including shower and dinner some days. WHY WOULD THERE BE SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST MONTH AND SECOND MONTH? If these quality of life issues continue, I will be stopping Zejula. If the cancer comes back, so be it. Feeling like crap every day is not worth it."

• Cookie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2021

Zejula (niraparib) "Diagnosed with 3B ovarian with peritoneal and 11 lymph nodes involved. I had Carno Taxol, then surgery and finished with more carbo taxol. I’ve been on Zejula for 9 months. It’s pretty tolerable. My side effects have been awful insomnia, constipation, some joint pain, tiredness and some nausea and stomach pain and most recently some itching . I am 60. I push myself to exercise 4-5 days a week and work part time in a retail setting so lots of steps. Yoga is helping the joint pain . My CA 125 is holding steady at 5-7. Platelets are staying around 220. Hoping to stay on it at least 15 more months to make it to the 2 year mark. Current dosage 3 pills daily."

• OVC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2018

Zejula (niraparib) "I had very low platelets and I was unaware of that. Symptoms: gum bleeding, join paint, I was tired, some problems to sleep, high blood pressure. CA 125 went up, tumor grow, this medication did not worked on me. 3 pills every day at the same hour. I do not have nausea or vomit."

• TealW...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2021

Zejula (niraparib) "I took Zejula for 10 mths and now have a reoccurance of ovarian cancer. So all the Zejula did was make my body aches, gave me high blood pressure, and tachycardia. My ovarian cancer is now in my liver , spleen, and pancreas."

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2023

Zejula (niraparib) "Hi, was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I did a debulking hysterectomy omentum. I had 15 chemo sessions and 10 Avastin IVs. I am fed up with the chemo. I have been on Niaparid Zejula. My CA-125 was under control, but a few days ago it went up to 85. I am not sure if the medication is increasing the count as I did a CT scan and the results were good."

• Jersey...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2023

Zejula (niraparib) "3/13/2022: At the age of 52, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Genetic testing showed BRCA-1 positive. I had a salpingo-oophorectomy hysterectomy and debulking on 4/6/2022. My lymph nodes were benign. 3 weeks later, I began chemo with a Paclitaxel & Carboplatin chemo cocktail. I had 6 infusion sessions, with my last chemo session on 8/17/2022. I started taking Zejula 200mg/day on 9/16/2022. I experienced some nausea, but my primary side effects were elevated blood pressure and heart rate. After a few weeks, the nausea faded, and I resumed my regular activities, including hot yoga and even began running again. I always monitored my heart rate and blood pressure. I was so happy. Yay Zejula!! My CA-125 has been around 7. Then -8/30/2023- (11 months after beginning Zejula), my monthly bloodwork showed that my hemoglobin dropped from 12.1 to 9.9. Then on 9/12/2023, my bloodwork showed a hemoglobin of 5.2 and platelets of 39. I needed 2 blood transfusions and temporarily stopped taking Zejula. Today is 9/28/2023, my hemoglobin is 7.2, and my platelets are 127."

• Bella
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2022

Zejula (niraparib) "I have been on Zejula for one month. The side effects are manageable. I feel pretty good Has anyone experienced your ca125 going up on Zejula Ca 125 is nine started at 6.2 Did that mean drug is not working"

• Missy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2023

"I’ve been on it for 2 years after getting stage 3 Ovarian Cancer at 40 years old. Got the surgery, and 6 chemos - I never even got sick one time. Started on 3 pills but my platelets dropped so went to 2 pills. Almost right away I would notice I would feel shaky a few hours after taking them. Like, I wouldn’t actually have the shakes but it would feel like it on the inside. Started taking them right before bed and never had any other issues. About to be done with it next week - 2 years after starting this and still all clear. I truly believe one of the things that helped the most is I also take Adderall for extreme ADHD so I never had the tiredness, weakness, or fatigue that a lot of people mentioned. I did have muscle and bone aches at first and was horrible but my doctor noticed my magnesium was low so I’ve just always taken a 400mg mag supplement every night and never had that problem again. Ask about those little things! Ask to see your blood work! A slight magnesium deficiency caused all that and was easily fixed."

• Clear...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

"The only side effect I have had is insomnia, but at times this is a real problem. [3-4 h/night when I have to go to work the next day]. Otherwise I don't feel like I am on a medication except when I take it at night. Platelets OK throughout so staying at 300 mg at night. So far my CA-125 is within normal limits, but it is getting slightly elevated in last 2-3 months [from 9 to 15 to 21]. I don't know if this is related to other inflammation and my gyn-onc isn't sending me off for a PET scan yet. I am happy with it so far. Biologics gets it right to me when my refill is due."

• Lora
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

Zejula (niraparib) "Diagnosed with 3b serous ovarian cancer in June 2020, had radical hysterectomy/oophrectomy/salpingectomy/cervix& omentum removal, followed by 5 months of chemo (paclitaxil and carboplatin). No evidence of cancer. Started on 2 daily capsules of Zejula in January 2021. In the 5 1/2 months since, I’ve had 4 episodes needing intervention: twice had to interrupt treatment due to low platelets, and twice needed blood transfusions because of severe anemia. The doctor is reluctant to lower the dosage but I find the 3 weeks leading up to the transfusion intolerable."

• Done
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2022

Zejula (niraparib) "I agree with VCW22 December 13, 2017. This drug "is killing me." WTH is the manufacturer doing? First month NO problems, FIRST week of 2nd month-immediate fevers, extreme fatigue/exhaustion, and shortness of breath. I am having a chemist analyze what is is the second batch sent to me. I will NEVER take it again!"

• MRS
• March 4, 2021

"I’m on my 3rd recurrence Ovarian 3c High Serous. I’m vondidetes platinum sensitive & my last chemo was 3 years ago. Avastin bought me 3 years until BP increased with severe dizziness. Had to stop Avastin because of that rise & cancer started to move fast & found evidence in several localized lymph nodes. Was recommended Niraparib alone 300mg with no Chemo. I been on the 300mg for a month now. 1st few weeks were ok, just BP was high probably Niraparib also contributes to BP on top of Avastin. On the 3rd week I noticed more nausea & CBD shots help . On 4th week & side effects are very evident, severe fatigue, nausea , insomnia & mild headaches. Stomach pain & constipation. Platelets look good although the liver enzyme increased by a few numbers. Symptoms mimic those of chemo therapy. I might have to decrease dose to 200mg in a week if symptoms are intolerable. Ca125 is still pretty high. I hear both symptoms & marker get better in 3 months."

• Addie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2023

Zejula (niraparib) "I was taking 200, but it was making me feel sick. I felt tired, fatigued, had headaches, nausea, and back pain. Even with taking 100, I still experience the same effects. I guess I need to give it more time to settle in my body."

• Mickey
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

Zejula (niraparib) "Maart 2021 kreeg ik te horen dat ik eierstokkanker heb fase 4. Na 6 maanden chemo, elke week kreeg ik te horen dat ik niet in aanmerking kwam voor een operatie en palliatief was. Men stelde me Zejula voor om mijn tijd te kunnen verlengen. Begonnen in oktober 2021 en tot hier toe zeer tevreden. Mijn lichaam aanvaard het op lichte bijwerkingen zoals vermoeidheid en constipatie na. Ik neem elke avond 200 gr. Tot nu toe dus gunstig effect, hopen dat dit zo mag blijven maar oncoloog was gisteren toch heel positief. We blijven ervoor gaan"

• DonnaC
• June 6, 2021

"Have been on niraparib now for just 2 weeks - already had a 2 night stay in hospital with bowel blockage. Started on 300mg nightly now reduced to 200mg. Diagnosed Stage 2 on November 2016, 3 major surgeries including bowel resection after bowel damage in 2nd surgery. 3 full cycles of chemo - chemo my best friend. Last chemo completed December 2020, cancer still in abdomen only. BRCA negative. Scared to be taking this drug, but apart from the chemo it’s my lifeline at the moment. Ca 125 @ 14 and stable. Finding dealing with this whilst managing an ileostomy stoma is a day by day issue. Been very positive through my journey up to now, held up a full time job with an understanding employer . Hoping to have positive feedback after another month or so. So great to hear all the feedback, both good and bad . Keep well all"

• Tcano
• November 2, 2019

Zejula (niraparib) "Took for 3 months platlets and hemoglobin have never returned to normal requiring transfusions and I had a stroke. Been off drug now for 2 months had another transfusion two days ago."