Lynparza (olaparib)
Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor) · Used for: Ovarian cancer, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor)
Cliff notes
What it is: Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor).
How it's given: Tablets by mouth twice a day.
How it works: PARP is a protein cells use to repair damaged DNA. Cancers with BRCA or similar repair gene changes rely on PARP. Lynparza blocks it, so the cancer cells can't fix their DNA and die.
Common side effects and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Nausea | Very common. Take anti-nausea medicine as advised; small meals. |
| Tiredness | Rest and gentle activity. |
| Anemia (low red blood cells) | Your team checks your blood. |
| Vomiting, diarrhea | Fluids. |
| Taste changes, decreased appetite | Try new flavors. |
| Headache, cough, dizziness | Listed as common in the label. Tell your team if they bother you. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- Fever, frequent infections, bruising or bleeding easily, blood in urine or stool, or extreme tiredness (possible bone marrow problems)
- New or worse shortness of breath, cough or wheezing
- Pain or swelling in an arm or leg (possible blood clot)
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain on the right side of your belly (possible liver injury, a newer label warning)
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Often a BRCA or other gene test.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ Each day on treatment
- Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
- If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | ☐ | |
| Tiredness | ☐ | |
| Anemia (low red blood cells) | ☐ | |
| Vomiting, diarrhea | ☐ | |
| Taste changes, decreased appetite | ☐ | |
| Headache, cough, dizziness | ☐ |
Help paying for Lynparza
Official manufacturer program:
- AstraZeneca Access 360: Benefits checks and copay savings for commercially insured patients; AZ&Me referral for those in need.
Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:
- PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
- Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
- NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.
📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
🏷 Tips from the maker's patient site
Take tablets twice a day about 12 hours apart, with or without food, and swallow them whole. If you miss a dose, just take the next one at the usual time and don't double up. Avoid grapefruit and Seville oranges (and their juices). Nausea is common, so tell your team because medicine can help.
Summarized in our words from lynparza.com, which follows the FDA-approved patient information.
💬 What experts are saying
An ovarian cancer expert on OncLive says nausea is the most common side effect of PARP inhibitors like Lynparza and Zejula and often fades over about 4 to 8 weeks. Low platelets are more common with Zejula, and doctors may pick a lower starting dose for people with lower body weight or platelet counts.
Source: Management of PARP Inhibitor AEs in Ovarian Cancer (OncLive, April 29, 2019)
❓ Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support groups
- Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): Woman to Woman peer support, education and research
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC): Support groups, the Teal Hearts Network and education
- Susan G. Komen: Breast care helpline, treatment assistance and education
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Helpline, peer support and programs for metastatic breast cancer
- ZERO Prostate Cancer: Patient navigation (ZERO360), financial help and support
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Common questions
How does Lynparza work?
It blocks PARP, a DNA repair protein, which hits cancers with BRCA-type repair problems hardest.
Do I need a BRCA test for Lynparza?
For many uses, yes, genetic or tumor testing helps decide whether Lynparza fits. Ask your team.
📄 The official FDA label for Lynparza, including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write