Has anyone used Olaparib intermittently?

[Pleroma]

I have been on Olaparib for 3 months with very good results so far.

However, the side effects are very debilitating - drastically reducing quality of life.

I am already on a reduced dosage.

I like the idea of intermittent use of this drug (i.e. two months on followed by one month off - or some other configuration). In trials with mice, intermittent use of Olaparib has been very successful in preventing tumor progression - showing little difference from the control group.

My question is whether anyone here has gone the intermittent path?

Any thoughts?

[Rsdutcher7]

We’ve been looking into it ...what BAD side effects should be expected?

[Pleroma in reply to Rsdutcher7]

There are two groups of side effects:

1. The common and 2. the not so common.

I will only comment on the common and what I have from that list:

Increased fatigue (as if we don't have enough of that already!)

Increased brain fog. Loss of appetite, food changing taste, dry coughs, upper abdominal pain, joints tightening up - especially legs. Drop in red and white blood cell count, platelets. Heading toward full blown anemia. Intermittent, light diarrhea . Constantly hungry and thirsty.

I am on a reduced dosage which has helped mitigate the upper abdominal pain, but that is about it.

[GP24]

Can you provide a link to the study with mice which you mention?

[Pleroma in reply to GP24]

Here is the link to the 2014 study:

cancerpreventionresearch.aa...

Scroll down to subtitle:

"Intermittent dosing with olaparib is as effective as continuous dosing with olaparib for delaying tumor development"

It also trials the efficacy of reduced dosage.

[GP24 in reply to Pleroma]

This is a mouse study for breast cancer in women. I would not draw any conclusion from this for your prostate cancer.

[Pleroma]

Nalakrats,

Thanks for the input.

I was thinking of one month off, two months on. Something like that. I will discuss with doc this Friday.

I am trying to work with the most minimal use of the drug, but still offering efficacy (no tumor progression).

[Pleroma]

Only in mice!

[Danish-patient]

I am on Rucaparib and have only very few side effects - a bit of fatigue maybe, but not a problem. When I have side effects from a treatment, I think: ”This is great, now its working, the cancer cells must have an even harder time...” and then I continue full heartedly with the drug.

[Curehunter in reply to Danish-patient]

How long have you been on Rucaparib? I've been on it for 4 months and so far it has been good.

[Danish-patient]

It’s only been 3-4 weeks by now. Eagerly awaiting my fist PSA to be taken the coming Friday!

[j-o-h-n]

I figured how to beat that always tired feeling..............all I do is go to sleep.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 03/09/2021 5:40 PM EST