Niraparib and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I am 62 and was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in July of 2021. I had surgery to remove my ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and part of my bowel. After a recovery of about 5 weeks, I started chemotherapy and had 6 rounds. I have been taking 200 mg of Zejula daily for 9 weeks. My blood counts have been good, but I have had some side effects: high blood pressure (never an issue before), high heart rate, constipation, tiredness, swollen joints, dry mouth, lack of energy, and heartburn. My C125 was under 5 after chemotherapy and is 7 now. I'm thankful I can take this drug and can only pray it's helping me and all the other ladies out there diagnosed with this terrible cancer."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I've been on Zejula now for 3 months. Side effects are getting slightly better. 300 mg at bedtime due to persistent nausea prior to starting this drug. I take it and feel so tired that you would think I would sleep, but I lay down and my mind won't turn off. Usually drop off at 1 a.m. then wake at 4:30 a.m. Sometimes, I can get back to sleep. Really bad fatigue and joint pain. H&H are slowly dropping but not critical. I do like the fact that my white count, while low, does not need Nupagen. I have trouble concentrating and focusing on things. Motivation is a thing of the past. CA125 is climbing since I started the drug. I see the oncologist tomorrow for a 3-month check-in."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2020

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I have been taking Zejula for 19 months. I started out at 300 mg each day but now alternate 200 mg and 300 mg daily. My CA-125 has been creeping up the past few months, now at 66. I have had 4 blood transfusions in the past 7 months. Other than feeling fatigued, I have not had other side effects other than having the blood transfusions."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2019

Niraparib for Fallopian Tube Cancer "I have been on Zejula since May 2017. I was put on Zejula after a recurrence of Stage 4 fallopian tube cancer. I started with 300 mg but experienced severe platelet issues after five weeks. The dose was reduced to 200 mg, but again had platelet problems after four months. I have been on 100 mg since November 2017 and have had no significant issues. I sometimes experience minor joint pain and fatigue. My CA-125 remains at 8-9. I continue with all my daily activities, including water aerobics, walks (4-6 miles), and a busy family and social life. For now, Zejula is effective and without significant side effects."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I've been on the 200 mg dose for just under 3 months. While my labs are OK, I have unbelievable fatigue. It seems like no amount of rest helps. Not very conducive to working even part-time. I come home and lay on the bed or couch with no motivation. We'll see what the doc says at the 3-month visit. But this is my 3rd recurrence, and yet I don't want to keep taking this drug."

• Lia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2019

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "My initial experience with Zejula was terrible, plunging platelets and other blood components, fatigue, joint pain, dry mouth, sleep disruption, more fatigue. I could not handle my work or my life. Had to have two transfusions. Tried two hundred mg. I watched carefully this time. Then a precipitous drop in platelets and other key blood components again. Intolerable fatigue. Had an allergic reaction to one of the transfusions. My optimism was sapped. Started 100 mg despite these experiences eleven months ago. Persistent anemia, depression, fatigue, and joint pain. Now tardive dyskinesia. Still hoping."

• 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!"

• Kat...
• January 19, 2018

Niraparib for Peritoneal Cancer "Diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, which started as peritoneal, in 2015. Seventeen months of remission, then cancer returned (peritoneal). A few months ago, started Zejula. I had very, very mild side effects for about three weeks. Dull headaches, fatigue... but that was about it. I was very lucky my body took to it well. Stopped taking anti-nausea pills when side effects stopped. I’m rating this an 8 only because I haven’t been taking it long and don’t know if my cancer will return, therefore knowing if the Zejula will have prolonged remission. I was told before I started that if I did have problems, they would drop down to 100 mg until I got used to it, then gradually up it to 300 mg. So there is that option, but so far, so good."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I started on Zejula the 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 in 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 at the end of June. The 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 showering 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."

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

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I have been on Zejula for 11 months. Started taking it immediately after finishing my last of six chemo treatments. Started at 300 mg, side effects were debilitating: extreme insomnia, fatigue, heart racing, constipation, etc. Dropped down to 200 mg 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 100 mg and have been tolerating that dosage fairly well. Decided to up the dosage to 200 mg and started that yesterday, time will tell if my body will tolerate it. My CA125 has stayed at 6 or 7 for the last 11 months!"

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2020

Niraparib for Peritoneal Cancer "Diagnosed in November 2019 with primary peritoneal cancer. Six rounds of chemo and a hot chemo wash complete. Scans were clear. Started taking Zejula about a month ago. BP has gone way up, blood sugar has gone up, WBC has gone down. I’m tired all the time. I’ve decided to stop taking it and just continue with the letrozole. Just had another scan yesterday and I am clean. No cancer."

• cre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2018

Niraparib for Fallopian Tube Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 4 fallopian and peritoneal cancer (BRCA1 positive) with an initial CA125 of 3490. After chemo, I was in remission for 2 years and then had more chemo for a recurrence. Afterwards, I went on Zejula and have been taking it for about 16 months. The initial dose of 300 mg per day gradually caused numerous side effects including fatigue, weakness, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, back pain, and then finally I had to have a blood transfusion and go off the drug for a month. I resumed at 100 mg per day and all the side effects disappeared except the sleeplessness and blood pressure, and even those side effects were less severe. For the last 6 months, I have been on a dose of 100 mg just 3 times per week. We moved to Canada and Zejula is not available here, so I have been stretching out my supply. Throughout the 16 months, my CA125 has remained steady in the 7 - 8 range. I will soon be changing to Lynparza, which is available in Canada."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2023

For Ovarian Cancer "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."

• Add...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2023

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I was taking 200. They will get my sick, feel tired, fatigue, headache, nausea, back pain, feel tired, no energy. So I am taking 100, still having the same effects. I guess I need to give it time to set in the body."

• MRS...
• March 4, 2021

For Ovarian Cancer "I’m on my 3rd recurrence, ovarian 3C high serous. I’m platinum sensitive, and 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, and cancer started to move fast and found evidence in several localized lymph nodes. Was recommended niraparib alone, 300 mg with no chemo. I've been on the 300 mg for a month now. The first few weeks were okay, just BP was high, probably niraparib also contributes to BP on top of Avastin. In the 3rd week, I noticed more nausea, and CBD shots help. In the 4th week, the side effects are very evident: severe fatigue, nausea, insomnia, and mild headaches. Stomach pain and constipation. Platelets look good, although the liver enzyme increased by a few numbers. Symptoms mimic those of chemotherapy. I might have to decrease the dose to 200 mg in a week if symptoms are intolerable. CA125 is still pretty high. I hear both symptoms and markers get better in 3 months."