Talzenna (talazoparib) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer and prostate cancer in adults. As with other drugs, Talzenna can cause side effects, such as fatigue and nausea.

Talzenna 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 Talzenna in clinical trials:

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

Mild side effects can occur with Talzenna. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Talzenna’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Talzenna 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 Talzenna and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Talzenna. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Talzenna may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Talzenna’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Talzenna, 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 and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Talzenna. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Talzenna may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Talzenna.

Anemia

It’s possible to develop anemia while taking Talzenna. In clinical trials, this was a commonly reported side effect. However, it was often temporary and went away after the person stopped taking Talzenna.

Anemia is a low red blood cell count. When you have anemia, there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Symptoms of this condition can be mild or severe and may include:

What you can do

If you experience the symptoms above, talk with your doctor. They can run certain blood tests to determine whether you have anemia. If your red blood cell count is low, your doctor can recommend ways to manage your symptoms.

Anemia reported with Talzenna was typically temporary and went away after stopping treatment. However, if you experience anemia that’s severe or bothersome, your doctor may recommend a different medication for your cancer.

Neutropenia

Taking Talzenna may cause neutropenia. This is a low count of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in your blood. In Talzenna’s clinical trials, this was a commonly reported side effect.

Neutrophils are important for your body’s immune response. If you have a low level of neutrophils in your blood, you may have a higher risk of developing an infection.

Possible infections can be mild or severe. Symptoms can include:

  • cough
  • fever
  • difficulty breathing
  • flu-like symptoms, such as body aches

What you can do

Taking certain steps may help reduce the risk of infection. This includes washing your hands regularly, sanitizing surfaces, and limiting your contact with other people if you’re feeling unwell. Your doctor can recommend additional ways to reduce your risk.

If you experience frequent infections, your doctor may take a blood sample to test your neutrophil level. If your neutrophil level is low, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop taking Talzenna until your neutrophil level increases. Or they may recommend a different treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Talzenna can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • 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 Talzenna. 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 you take Talzenna. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Kidney problems: If you have a kidney problem, talk with your doctor before taking Talzenna. The kidneys help remove drugs, such as Talzenna, from your system. If you have a kidney condition, your body may have difficulty removing this drug from your system. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Talzenna or recommend another treatment for your cancer.

Blood cell disorders: Talzenna can cause a decrease in the levels of certain blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Before starting treatment with this drug, tell your doctor if you have a condition or take a medication that affects how your blood cells function. Conditions that affect your blood cell counts include HIV, cancer, and hepatitis. Medications include corticosteroids, certain antibiotics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

If you have one of these risk factors, taking Talzenna could worsen your condition. Your doctor will monitor your blood cell levels to make sure it’s safe for you to take Talzenna.

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

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talzenna is not considered safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Before starting treatment with this drug, be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. They will discuss the safest treatment options for you and your child.

Alcohol consumption: There aren’t any known interactions between Talzenna and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking Talzenna may increase your risk of certain side effects, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor can advise how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink during treatment with Talzenna.

As with many medications, Talzenna can cause side effects. Many are mild and may go away on their own within a few days to weeks. In some cases, the medication can cause serious side effects that may require treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about Talzenna, 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:

  • More information about Talzenna: For details about other aspects of Talzenna, refer to this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about the conditions Talzenna is prescribed to treat, see our hubs for breast cancer and prostate cancer.

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.