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Rubraca (rucaparib)
Starting Rubraca can bring up a lot of questions, for you and for the people who love you. Here you'll find what to expect, how to feel your best day to day and where to get help, so you can focus on your life and time together.
ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor) · Used for: Prostate cancer, Ovarian cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor)
The quick guide
What it is: Targeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor).
How it's given: Tablets or capsules by mouth twice a day.
How it works: Rubraca blocks PARP. Used for BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and as ovarian cancer maintenance.
Side effects you may notice, and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting (CINV) | Small bland meals; take anti-nausea medicine as prescribed. |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | Short walks and planned rest. |
| Neutropenia (low blood counts and infection risk) | Wash hands often; check your temperature if you feel unwell. |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) | Small, frequent meals; try tart or seasoned foods. |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) (Sun sensitivity) | Thick fragrance-free moisturizer, sunscreen, gentle soap. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- Call right away for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Easy bruising or extreme tiredness
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.
- 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 and vomiting (CINV) | ☐ | |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | ☐ | |
| Neutropenia (low blood counts and infection risk) | ☐ | |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) | ☐ | |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) | ☐ |
Help paying for Rubraca (rucaparib)
Rubraca (rucaparib) is made by pharma&.
Official manufacturer program:
- Rubraca support (pharma&): Savings and support for Rubraca.
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: Copay grants for insured people, including those on Medicare, who meet income limits, when a fund for their diagnosis is open.
- FundFinder (from PAN): A free tool that tracks when copay foundation funds open and can send you an alert, so you don't have to keep checking each site.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles, and premiums for insured people under income limits; the disease funds page shows which are open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people with certain cancers who meet income limits.
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief (TotalAssist): Copay and coinsurance help for insured patients who qualify by income, from the Patient Advocate Foundation.
- Good Days: Copay help, and in some funds travel costs, for insured people with chronic or life-changing illnesses who meet income limits.
- Accessia Health (formerly Patient Services, Inc.): Help with premiums, copays, and travel for people with certain chronic and rare conditions.
- The Assistance Fund: Copay, premium, and other cost help for insured people with serious illnesses, when a disease fund is open.
- NORD Patient Assistance Programs: Cost help for people with certain rare diseases, including some rare cancers.
- NeedyMeds: A free, open-to-anyone database of drug-maker programs, foundations, and low-cost clinics, plus a drug discount card.
Funds open and close often. FundFinder shows which are open now. See more help on paying for cancer treatment.
📋 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: Help from drug makers · Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask
- 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 for you and your family
- ZERO Prostate Cancer: Patient navigation (ZERO360), financial help and support
- 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
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Questions people often ask
How does Rubraca work?
Rubraca blocks PARP.
How is Rubraca given?
Tablets or capsules by mouth twice a day.
How is Rubraca (rucaparib) given?
Tablets or capsules by mouth twice a day.
How does Rubraca (rucaparib) work?
Rubraca blocks PARP. Used for BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and as ovarian cancer maintenance.
What side effects are common with Rubraca (rucaparib)?
Side effects people often notice include Nausea and vomiting (CINV), Fatigue (extreme tiredness), Neutropenia (low blood counts and infection risk), Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss), and Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes). Not everyone gets them, and our table above shares tips that may help at home.
When should I call my care team while on Rubraca (rucaparib)?
Call right away if you notice any of these: call right away for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher; easy bruising or extreme tiredness. If you're ever unsure, it's always OK to call.
What cancers is Rubraca (rucaparib) used for?
On this site, we cover Rubraca (rucaparib) for prostate cancer and ovarian cancer. Your care team decides whether it fits your situation.
📄 The official FDA label for Rubraca (rucaparib), 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
Sources
Last updated: October 15, 2026. We summarize these sources in our own words.