Niraparib and Headaches: 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."

• Hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2022

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "I initially posted a review in May 2021 (“In January 2018, I was diagnosed with Grade 3C Serous Ovarian Cancer.” This post is a follow-up to that post). It is now February 2022. The CA125 count has been between 8 and 9. The last couple of times, it has been 10. I am taking 2 capsules every night. All good. I don’t get too fussed about the side effects, which are really quite minor: headache, sun sensitivity, balance a bit off. I have maintained a healthy weight. I am hiking between 4-5 days a week, which I am sure has made an enormous difference not only to feeling physically well, but psychologically balanced in my life. I consider myself extremely lucky in all aspects of my life. I believe that Zejula is extending my life. All in all, “I smile from the inside out.” AM"

• 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."

• 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."