Niraparib and Blood Issues: What Users Say

• Pix...
• February 27, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "Stage 4 ovarian cancer, March 2020. Also in lung and right breast. April started chemo. Four rounds of Carbo-taxol and tumor shrank enough for surgery in July 2020. Removed tumor, full hysterectomy, and part of bowel and liver. Three rounds of chemo post-op. CT scan now shows no cancer. September 30 started on 200 mg. Severe nausea for two weeks. Week three nausea eased, but fatigue worsened. Low hemoglobin and platelets, resulting in three weeks off drug. Back on for one month. First two weeks, nausea and fatigue. Two weeks ago, noticed I was weaker. Can barely care for myself: fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath with exertion, headaches, restlessness, and bad sleep. Will switch to morning, as after meds I am wired and have very restless legs. Zejula harder than chemo. Want to try 100 mg. Good to read everyone's experience and see dose can be every other day. Healthy vibes to all. Re-rating: 5/10, as side effects are horrible, but told it can take three months to adjust. It's too early to tell if the drug is keeping the cancer at bay."

• Ret...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2020

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I started 3 pills for the first two weeks. Experienced constipation and low platelets. Platelets too low, so I was taken off for 2 weeks to get my platelets up. Went back on at 2 pills a day for 2 weeks. I was then bumped to 3 pills the last 2 weeks. Platelets tanked again, and my 125 test was going higher. Oncologist will discuss the next step for me. I am still hopeful and will keep fighting this cancer!!!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

Niraparib for Fallopian Tube Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage III-A fallopian tube serous carcinoma in 2018. After debulking surgery and chemo, I started taking 300 mg Zejula in January this year. Was debilitating until exhausted, and my platelets and WBC became very low after a month. Took a month off, then started taking 100 mg a day. Pulse rate high but controlled, occasionally very tired. My CA-125, which was initially 29, is now 3.2. Couldn't be happier or more relieved. Thrilled that I am able to take this promising drug!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

Niraparib for Fallopian Tube Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage III-A fallopian tube serous carcinoma in 2018. After debulking surgery and chemo, I started taking 300 mg Zejula in January this year. Was debilitating until exhausted, and my platelets and WBC became very low after a month. Took a month off, then started taking 100 mg a day. Pulse rate high but controlled, occasionally very tired. My CA-125, which was initially 29, is now 3.2. Couldn't be happier or more relieved. Thrilled that I am able to take this promising drug!"

• Oll...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 15, 2024

For Ovarian Cancer "I was diagnosed with 3c ovarian/peritoneal cancer in October 2020. I had 6 cycles of chemo Carboplatin/Paclitaxel followed by 12 cycles of Avastin. Cancer progressed rapidly in May 2022 with 2 large tumors. I had 6 more cycles of chemo Carboplatin and a 6-hour operation - hysterectomy & bowel surgery (stoma), nodule removed from my liver, and removal of omentum. I had 2 more cycles of chemo Carboplatin. I started Niraparib in March 2023. I am small in build and became desperately ill within the first month, with low platelets, anemia, etc. I was hospitalized and had blood transfusions. I restarted Niraparib in April 2023 on half the dose. I am now on cycle 16. I have a good quality of life, walking, gardening, and socializing with friends and family. I have been to the Algarve and this year to Kefalonia. I continued with Niraparib on holiday. This drug has been very successful for me - and I do not have the BRCA gene mutation. It recommends taking it each evening, but I take it every day at lunchtime."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "Diagnosed with 3B serous ovarian cancer in June 2020, had radical hysterectomy, oophorectomy, salpingectomy, cervix and omentum removal, followed by 5 months of chemo (paclitaxel 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."