HI EVERYONE
MY SIS STARTED ON NIRAPARIB 200MG.. HAD NAUSEA/VOMITING, HIGH BP, PALPITATION..REDUCED TO 100MG... STILL HAD PLATLET 59.. STOPPED FOR A WEEK PLATLETS WENT UP TO 96 TODAY... STARTING TOM... IS THIS MEAN SHE CAN NOT HANDLE NIRAPARIB... IF IT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THIS IS THE LOWEST DOSE ANY OTHER OPTIONS.. ANYONE TAKING NIRAPARIB EVERY OTHER TO REDUCE IT FURTHER? OR IT WILL GET BETTER...BODY WILL ADJUST TO THIS DOSE
Hello Harp-1I am sorry to hear that your sister is having a rough time with Niraparib...it’s not something I have taken, so can’t advise you. The best source of information is her oncologist or nurse specialist. It probably depends on how she is generally as well as the protocols for the drug itself. I’ve heard people say that the side effects can be difficult to begin with but may subside if you can stick with it.
Wishing you and your sister all the best xx
Hi Harp, I started on Niraparib with 200 mgs, My blood was down and I needed a blood transfusion. I waited a week and was then put on 100 mgs. I was doing pretty good, but now I have a UTI. I had 6 of those in the fall of 2019. This chemo and Niraparib lowers your risk to get infections. It depletes your red and white cells that are found in the bone marrow. You will need blood tests to see how you are doing. I don’t know how long this drug will be good for me. I started it in July of 2020 after chemo treatments and surgery. I stopped it in Sept., because my blood was so down. I went back on it with the 100 mgs. In October. Now, I have a UTI again. I was feeling pretty good, but this drug can cause problems along the way. We have to be careful, because we don’t want to get bone marrow problems or blood cancer. I hope you will talk to the dr., I’m sure they will monitor you. Good luck and a big hug! Donna from the U.S.
I'm on Niraparib, been on it since end of October on 200mg. I had to stop twice,first because of very high blood pressure - I was given a drug to control it, went back on niraparib a couple of weeks later, then had to stop again because my heart rate was too high. We finally settled on a different blood pressure drug which also controlled heart rate -a low dose of the drug is enough to do the trick, then I started the NIraparib again about 3 weeks ago at 200mg. So far, although my platelets have fallen, they have not crashed yet, but I am still in the 4 week monitoring period because of having to stop and start again twice.
Bloods are usually taken every week for at least 4 weeks - that is the most likely time for platelets to fall quite quickly and if that happens, they reduce the dose or take you off for a little while. They may suggest 100mg as the regular dose, but initially it can take time for the body to adjust to the drug. So far as I am aware, a dose lower than 100mg is not available because it is unlikely to be therapeutic (have an effect on cancer cells).
I had a little nausea initially, but I had anti sickness tablets for that if I needed them - I didn't, the nausea passed. Essentially, there is an adjustment period at the start of taking Niraparib for a month or two which can be a bit up and down (or off and on!) - in my case, blood pressure/heart rate drugs have to be taken along with the Niraparib because those problems are side effects of Niraparib for me.
Miriam
200mg is not the lowest dosage. There is a 100mg dosage available. See if her doctor can lower her dose to 100mg
Niraparib
Niraparib 
