Lynparza (olaparib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use in adults to treat certain types of:
- prostate cancer
- ovarian cancer and forms of cancer that affect your fallopian tubes or peritoneum (lining of your abdomen)
- breast cancer
- pancreatic cancer
Lynparza belongs to a class of medications known as poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. The active ingredient of Lynparza is olaparib. There is currently no generic available. Lynparza comes as an oral tablet.
Dosage summary
The following chart summarizes Lynparza’s dosage. (Milligrams is abbreviated as mg.) Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
| Form | Lynparza strengths | Typical dosage |
| oral tablet | • 100 mg • 150 mg | 300 mg two times per day |
For information about the recommended dosage of Lynparza, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Lynparza, see this article.
This article describes typical dosages for Lynparza provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lynparza, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is important information about the Lynparza dosage for its approved uses.
Lynparza form
Lynparza comes as an oral tablet.
Lynparza strengths
Lynparza comes in two strengths: 150 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Lynparza dosage for all uses
The dosage of Lynparza is the same for all of its approved uses: certain forms of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. For ovarian cancer, that includes forms of cancer that affect your fallopian tubes or peritoneum (lining of your abdomen).
The typical starting dose of Lynparza is 300 mg two times per day. For each dose, you’ll take two 150-mg tablets or three 100-mg tablets. The total daily dose (total amount taken each day) is 600 mg.
You’ll usually take a dose once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s recommended that you take the doses about 12 hours apart.
If you take Lynparza for prostate cancer and you have testicles, your doctor will likely prescribe a drug in addition to Lynparza. This is meant to help your testosterone level remain low. If you have had your testicles removed, your testosterone level will already be low. In this situation, you will not have to take the additional medication.
For certain types of ovarian cancer, you’ll take Lynparza in combination with another drug called bevacizumab (Avastin).
Long-term treatment
Lynparza is meant to be a long-term treatment. The length of treatment will depend on:
- the type of cancer you have
- if your cancer gets worse
- if you have severe side effects
If you and your doctor determine that Lynparza is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Lynparza treatment for ovarian cancer may last for up to 2 years or as long as the drug is safe and effective for you.
If you have questions about your treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
The Lynparza dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the cancer you’re taking Lynparza to treat
- your kidney function
- other medications you may be taking
- if you have serious side effects with Lynparza treatment
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Lynparza dosage.
Dosage adjustments
If you have kidney problems, your doctor will likely recommend a dose adjustment. They may advise a dose reduction, meaning they would decrease your dosage of Lynparza.
Your doctor may also reduce your dosage if you experience serious side effects from Lynparza.
Taking Lynparza with certain medications, known as CYP3A4 inhibitors, can affect how Lynparza works in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects of Lynparza. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely decrease your dosage of Lynparza if you take a CYP3A4 inhibitor.
Examples of strong CYP3A inhibitors include certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin (E.E.S., EryTab). They can also include antifungal medications such as ketoconazole.
If you miss a dose of Lynparza, skip that dose and take the next dose at its scheduled time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
You’ll swallow Lynparza tablets whole. You should not crush or chew the tablets. Lynparza should also not be cut in half or dissolved in liquid. You can take Lynparza with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug labels and containersIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Lynparza in an easy-open container. They may also recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you don’t take more Lynparza than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Lynparza
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lynparza. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lynparza for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Lynparza without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Lynparza that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Lynparza. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Lynparza. For information about other aspects of Lynparza, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Lynparza, see this article. You can also look at the Lynparza prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. Find out how Lynparza compares with Rubraca and Talzenna.
- Details about cancer. For details about cancer, you can refer to our:
- breast cancer hub and list of breast cancer articles
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
