Olaparib-capsules or tablets

[Rosiemd]

I have just started on olaparib- 16 capsules a day which amounts to 800mg. I was just wondering if those who have been prescribed this are on tablets or capsules and if so why the difference. It is hard to swallow that amount daily.

Rosie

[Erinna72]

Hello, Rosiemd,

I am just about to start Olaparib and I requested the tablets as there is no way I could swallow those huge capsules! My oncologist told me he doesn’t prescribe capsules any more so I was very much relieved. Why don’t you ask to change?

Good luck.

[Rosiemd in reply to Erinna72]

Thanks Emma. My oncologist told me that the tablets weren't available for me yet! I live in the north of Scotland. I intend asking him again! Good luck with the tablets. I have been on the capsules for 3 days now and so far ok apart from some weariness!

Rosie

[Frenchhouse3]

Hi Rosie,

I’m on 600mg a day but take this in four capsules, two in the morning and two in the evening. They are quite large and I have always had an issue with taking large pills. However, I take a large gulp of water with each one and can swallow them much more easily than I thought. This way, at least it’s less tablets. I guess you could take the amount you need as three, morning and evening?

Good luck with everything

Denise xxx

[Rosiemd in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Hi Denise, Thanks for your reply. I wonder why you are on a different doze to me. My oncologist made out that 800 mg was standard dose- 8 tabs x2 daily. I live in Scotland.

Rosie

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Rosiemd]

Hi Rosie, I think my dose is standard in Bristol but I’m seeing my Oncologist tomorrow, so I’ll ask him. It could be different in each area I guess? Will let you know. Xxx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Hi Rosie, I asked my Oncologist today about the 600mg I’m in and he said it’s the standard for tablet form and equivalent to the 800mg in capsule form. Hope this makes sense. I’m still a bit confused!

Love Denise xxx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Frenchhouse3]

That’s four tablets a day. Apparently, everyone will end up in tablets as the amounts are easier to calculate. Xxx

[Rosiemd in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thanks for the info Denise. Will ask my oncologist in 2 weeks if it is possible to swap. Do you have many side effects? Rosie x

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Rosiemd]

Hi Rosie, my worst side effects are that my mouth seems to produce excess saliva at various times during the day. I’ve been told to drink more water too, which I find difficult. With regards fatigue, not much at all. I did have some issues with diarrhoea and have cut back on fibre a bit and that has helped. I also sometimes have slight nausea ( which might be the cause of the saliva production going a bit mad), but anti sickness pills are good if it gets too much (not often).

Hope this helps. Overall, the good outweighs the bad; they’re worth taking, for sure!

Denise xxx

[Rosiemd in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you Denise. X

[WoodyB]

Hello Rosie

My wife Suzanne was taking the 16 capsules each day until recently and, like you, sometimes found it hard to get so many down. She found swallowing them with food the easiest way.

The capsules are being phased out and Suzanne is now on the tablets (4 each day). The tablets are torpedo shaped and no bigger than a paracetamol caplet. She finds it much easier to take the tablets. BTW, the 4 tablets delivers the same bioavailability as the 16 capsules.

We asked some time ago about switching to tablets, but were told that the stocks of capsules needed to be used up first - makes sense, I suppose. But no harm asking.

Try swallowing them with food - Suzanne found toast the easiest.

Woody

[Rosiemd in reply to WoodyB]

Thank you for your reply Woody and that is interesting about the stocks of capsules. The instructions say to be taken an hour after food and not to eat for 2 hours later so just taking with water. Will push for tablets.

Rosie

[WoodyB in reply to Rosiemd]

Hello Rosie

I don't think they're too sure about taking with or without food. When Suzanne started taking the capsules in Oct 2017 the instructions said the same, then they changed to saying you could take them with food, then they changed back again. Suzanne took them with food and this worked well for her, her CA125 dropping to 9. Do you have a faulty BRCA gene?

[Rosiemd in reply to WoodyB]

Yes Brca 2 which surprised me as no family history. Rosie

[WoodyB in reply to Rosiemd]

In that case you will probably do well on olaparib, Rosie. Good luck with everything x

[Rosiemd in reply to WoodyB]

Thank you so much. So far just a little weariness which I find hard as I am an active person. How is Suzanne? Did she have many side effects at the start?

[WoodyB in reply to Rosiemd]

Hi Rosie, Suzanne is keeping very well, although she still gets tired especially in the evenings. That said, she walked nearly 5 miles on Saturday! The side effects were much more to start with, mainly nausea, but lessened after maybe around 6 weeks. Definitely stick in there, it will get better with time - even better if your CA125 goes down. Suzanne's was 24 when she started on olaparib and is now 9. Have you read any responses from Kathy ("Katmal") to some other posts on here? She has been on olaparib for over 6 years now and is doing really well. Both Suzanne and Kathy have the faulty BRCA2 gene.

[Rosiemd in reply to WoodyB]

My CA125 was 79 before starting my last round of chemo and has been around 9 for the last while. My scan is also clear so all good. Kathy's messages are so inspiring.

Thanks, Rosie

[WoodyB in reply to Rosiemd]

That's great news Rosie. Wishing you well x