Niraparib and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Mim...
• February 10, 2021

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "Stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Have been taking Zejula since late October 2020. Took 200 mg initially, but platelets dropped below 100. Now I take 100 mg and feel great. I do have insomnia, but I had that prior. Had to increase my blood pressure medication, but it’s under control. So far, all is good. Able to go all day and also use the treadmill daily."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

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

Niraparib for Ovarian Cancer "Diagnosed with 3B ovarian with peritoneal and 11 lymph nodes involved. I had Carbo 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, 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."

• 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."

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

For Ovarian Cancer "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 are 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 the 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."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

Niraparib for Peritoneal Cancer "I started Zejula and feel so tired and can’t taste good. Stomach discomfort and insomnia. I pray this medication works."