Olaparib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 26, 2023.

Applies to olaparib: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. The tablet form may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not donate sperm while you are using the tablet form of this medicine and for 3 months after your last dose.

This medicine may cause bone marrow problems, including myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, blood in the urine or stool, chills, unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness, or weight loss.

Tell your doctor right away if you have a chest pain, cough, or any type of breathing problem with this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem.

This medicine may increase your risk for having blood clots (eg, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism). Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse, pain or swelling in the arms or legs, or rapid shallow or trouble breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of olaparib

Along with its needed effects, olaparib may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking olaparib:

Other side effects of olaparib

Some side effects of olaparib may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to olaparib: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions reported in 10% or greater patients were nausea (60%), fatigue (55%), anemia (36%), vomiting (32%), diarrhea (24%), decreased appetite (22%), headache (16%), dysgeusia (15%), cough (15%), neutropenia (14%), dyspnea (14%), dizziness (12%), dyspepsia (12%), leukopenia (11%), and thrombocytopenia (10%).

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Venous thrombosis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Dermatitis/rash (up to 15%)
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angioedema, erythema nodosum^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 77%), abdominal pain/discomfort (up to 45%), vomiting (up to 40%), diarrhea (up to 37%), dyspepsia (up to 20%), constipation (28%), stomatitis (up to 11%)^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (13%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased hemoglobin (up to 98%), elevated mean corpuscular volume (up to 89%), decreased lymphocytes (up to 77%), anemia (up to 46%), decreased absolute neutrophil count (up to 51%), decreased platelets (up to 56%), neutropenia (27%), leukopenia (25%), thrombocytopenia (14%)^[Ref]

The term neutropenia includes febrile neutropenia, granulocyte count decreased, granulocytopenia, neutropenia, neutropenic infection, neutropenic sepsis, and neutrophil count decreased.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (up to 30%), hypomagnesemia (14%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia/ myalgia, back pain (up to 19%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%), dysgeusia (up to 27%), dizziness (up to 20%)^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myelodysplastic syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/malaise/asthenia/lethargy (up to 67%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased creatinine (up to 30%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis/pharyngitis/upper respiratory infection (up to 43%), cough (up to 15%), dyspnea (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary embolism
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonitis
• Frequency not reported: Rhinitis^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Olaparib side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer