Lynparza (olaparib) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following types of cancer in certain situations:

Lynparza is prescribed for adults. It’s typically used as a long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Lynparza:

  • Active ingredient: olaparib
  • Drug class: PARP inhibitor*
  • Drug form: oral tablet

Like other drugs, Lynparza can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Lynparza, including details about its uses, see this article.

* PARP stands for poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase.

Lynparza can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lynparza in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Lynparza included:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Lynparza use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. They can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. For more information, you can refer to Lynparza’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Lynparza include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Lynparza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Lynparza may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. They can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. For more information, you can refer to Lynparza’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lynparza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Lynparza and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Lynparza may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are there long-term side effects from taking Lynparza?

Lynparza could cause long-term side effects. One example is blood clots. Doctors typically prescribe anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) to treat blood clots and help prevent them from coming back. If you develop this side effect, you’ll likely need to take an anticoagulant long term. In fact, you may need to keep taking the drug even if your doctor has you stop Lynparza treatment.

Another rare but serious long-term side effect of taking Lynparza is the development of blood and bone marrow cancers. Your doctor will most likely screen you for these conditions before and during your Lynparza treatment. To learn more, see “Blood and bone marrow cancers” in the “Side effect specifics” section below.

If you’d like additional information about possible long-term side effects of Lynparza, talk with your doctor.

Does Lynparza cause hair loss?

Hair loss is possible while taking Lynparza. This side effect wasn’t seen in the drug’s initial clinical trials. However, it was seen in a clinical study that compared the side effects of Lynparza and chemotherapy.

Hair loss occurred in a small percentage of people taking Lynparza for breast cancer. It’s important to note that more people had hair loss while undergoing chemotherapy than while taking Lynparza.

If you’re concerned about hair loss during your Lynparza treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend increasing your intake of a vitamin called biotin. You could also try to avoid or minimize factors that may worsen hair loss. These can include pulling your hair back into tight styles, using hair dye, or getting perms. Excessive stress may also cause hair loss, so you can try to avoid severe tension.

Is weight gain a side effect of Lynparza?

No. Weight gain is not a side effect of Lynparza. Weight gain wasn’t seen in clinical trials of the drug.

However, peripheral edema (fluid retention in your hands, legs, or feet) can occur with Lynparza. And this side effect may cause puffiness and weight changes.

Weight gain is a possible side effect of other cancer treatments, including hormone therapy. Hormone therapy drugs are often used in combination with Lynparza to treat certain cancers.* Changes in hormone levels can cause weight gain.

In addition, some people find that they eat more when they’re stressed or anxious. (Going through cancer treatment can be stressful.) This can lead to weight gain.

If you’re concerned about changes in your weight since starting Lynparza treatment, talk with your doctor. They can guide you on healthy ways to manage your weight.

* These cancers include breast and prostate cancer, as well as cancers that affect your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peritoneum (lining inside your abdomen).

Does Lynparza cause any ocular side effects?

No, taking Lynparza should not cause ocular (eye-related) side effects. Vision or eye problems were not reported in clinical trials of the drug.

Other medications used to treat breast cancer may cause eye problems. For example, tamoxifen (Soltamox) may cause cataracts in some people. (A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye.)

Be sure to see your eye doctor regularly while you’re being treated for cancer. Also, if you notice any changes in your vision or other eye problems, talk with your doctor right away.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Lynparza may cause. They can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

Blood clots

Blood clots can occur in some people during Lynparza treatment. This side effect happened most frequently in people who took the drug for prostate cancer in clinical trials. Less commonly, some people treated for ovarian cancer developed blood clots.

A blood clot is a dense clump of blood that forms in a blood vessel. Clots most often form in a deep vein in the leg or arm. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of DVT may include warmth, pain, or swelling in the area. Another possible symptom is skin redness or discoloration in your leg or arm.

With DVT, a piece of a blood clot can break free and travel through the body. If it travels to the lungs and gets stuck, a pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs, which can be life threatening. Symptoms of PE can include:

  • sudden trouble breathing
  • sharp chest pain
  • cough
  • dizziness
  • fast heartbeat

Keep in mind that having cancer increases the risk of developing blood clots. And Lynparza is used to treat certain types of cancer. However, taking the drug may further increase the risk of blood clots.

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of DVT or PE while taking Lynparza, call your doctor or 911 (or your local emergency number) right away.

Blood clots typically require medical treatment. You may need to take a blood thinner long term to treat the clot and help prevent it from returning. (To learn more, see the “FAQs about the side effects of Lynparza” section above.)

Talk with your doctor about your risk of blood clots before starting Lynparza treatment.

Anemia

Lynparza treatment commonly causes anemia, a blood disorder in which your red blood cell levels become low. Anemia was one of the more common side effects seen in clinical trials of the drug. Anemia from Lynparza may be mild to severe.

Red blood cells work to carry oxygen throughout your body. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t produce as much energy as usual. Mild anemia doesn’t typically cause symptoms, except for some fatigue.

Symptoms of severe anemia may include:

  • lack of energy
  • weakness
  • skin that’s paler than usual
  • dizziness
  • cold hands and feet
  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations

What you can do

During your treatment with Lynparza, your doctor will order blood tests to monitor your level of red blood cells. If you develop anemia, they may recommend iron supplements or vitamins. If your anemia is severe, you may need a blood transfusion. Also, treatment with a medication such as epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) may help improve fatigue and other anemia symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your anemia, your doctor may have you pause your use of Lynparza until the anemia is treated. If the anemia returns or doesn’t improve enough, your doctor may have you stop taking Lynparza. They can suggest a different option for treating your cancer.

Blood and bone marrow cancers

Some people taking Lynparza may develop serious blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but this isn’t common. With MDS, your bone marrow doesn’t make enough healthy blood cells. MDS often turns into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer.

In rare situations, some people who took Lynparza in clinical trials developed MDS and AML. About half of these cases led to death. MDS and AML have been reported in people who took Lynparza for different lengths of time. The times ranged from less than 6 months to more than 10 years. Also, people who developed MDS and AML received other cancer treatments prior to taking Lynparza. Examples of these other treatments included radiation and chemotherapy drugs made with platinum.

What you can do

Before you start Lynparza treatment, your doctor will check your blood using a complete blood count (CBC). This blood test measures the levels of your blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In some cases, CBC results may be low due to another recent cancer treatment. If so, your doctor will likely postpone your treatment with Lynparza until your levels rise.

Due to the risk of MDS and AML, your doctor will recheck your CBC weekly or monthly while you take Lynparza. If your blood cell levels become low, your doctor will likely prescribe treatment to help bring them back up. They may also have you pause treatment with Lynparza. If you develop MDS and AML, your doctor will probably have you stop taking Lynparza and switch to a different treatment.

Nausea

Nausea is a common side effect of taking Lynparza. In fact, nausea was the most common side effect seen in clinical trials of the drug.

Along with nausea, you may also have vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or reduced appetite.

Nausea from Lynparza may be mild to severe. In the drug’s trials, some people had to stop treatment because their nausea was too severe.

What you can do

You may be able to manage mild nausea by making changes to your diet and routines. These changes can include eating small, frequent snacks. You can also try to avoid foods and smells that make you feel sick. Another tip is to get fresh air.

Your doctor may also suggest medications to help prevent and treat nausea. If your nausea is severe, they may consider reducing your dosage of Lynparza or having you pause or stop taking the drug. It’s important that you do not change your dosage or stop taking the drug unless you first talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Lynparza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions occurred but were rare in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Lynparza. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Lynparza. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Kidney or liver problems. If you have kidney or liver problems, tell your doctor before starting Lynparza treatment. Depending on how well your kidneys are working, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the drug for you than usual. They may also order blood tests to check your kidneys and liver regularly during treatment. If your kidney or liver problems are severe, your doctor may not recommend Lynparza. This is because the drug wasn’t studied in people with severe kidney or liver problems.

Low levels of blood cells. Some people may have low levels of blood cells due to a health condition or certain treatments. If you have low blood cell levels, Lynparza may not be safe for you. The drug may cause low blood cell levels, including leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. If you already have low blood cells, taking Lynparza may worsen your condition. Your doctor can advise you on the right cancer treatment for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lynparza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lynparza. Ask them what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol use with Lynparza

Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Lynparza.

If you’re wondering if it’s safe for you to have alcoholic drinks while taking Lynparza, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Lynparza

Your doctor will likely not prescribe Lynparza if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant in the near future. Animal trials have found that Lynparza may cause harmful effects in a developing fetus.

Due to this possible risk, if you can become pregnant, your doctor will have you take a pregnancy test before you start Lynparza treatment.

Birth control is also recommended while taking Lynparza. Females* should continue to use birth control for at least 6 months after treatment ends. Males* should continue to use birth control for at least 3 months after treatment ends.

Lynparza is likely not safe to use while breastfeeding. It isn’t known for sure if the drug passes into breast milk. However, Lynparza carries risks of side effects that could seriously harm a breastfed child. You should not breastfeed a child for at least 1 month after your last dose of Lynparza.

If you have questions about the risks of taking Lynparza while pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Lynparza may cause mild or serious side effects, some of which are more common than others. If you develop serious side effects while taking the medication, talk with your doctor.

If you’d like to learn more about Lynparza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.