rucaparib side effects

[RainbowC]

I started rucaparib (600mg twice daily) on Thursday, and have been absolutely wiped out since then. I was warned that fatigue was likely, so that’s not a surprise. But today I have discovered another side effect - it’s affected my taste buds in such a way that water tastes bitter!

Unfortunately I discovers this while out canoeing, and wasn’t sure if it was just that my water bottle hadn’t been properly washed - but no, a fresh glass straight from the tap back home was just as bad. I got my husband to drink some just to check, and it’s definitely just me. So I’ll be on the tonic water now I guess - at least that’s *supposed* to be bitter, and has a strong enough taste that I don’t notice the weird bit!

Has anyone else had this? Does it fade or will it last as long as I’m on the tablets?

[Manchesterlady]

Hi ,I’m on this .Like you I felt so ill for the first week, I spoke to my oncologist and he reduced my dose to 500 twice a day.

I feel much better now , although he did say that it takes time for your body to adjust.

Same here about the metallic taste, water just tastes awful.

I mix some ginger cordial in with mine.

Don’t suffer in silence, let them know how you feel.

Good luck

Sheila

[RainbowC in reply to Manchesterlady]

I’m finding that strong-tasting drinks are ok (mostly - although my cold cup of tea had been fine while hot, it was horrible cold), so that’s helpful. The fatigue is better today, so I’m about to go out for a walk/run!

[Tillymint61]

Had exactly the same experience.I was convinced I had a rogue bottle of water! I had to have the dose dropped by 1 tablet(was on 1200) as I was completely out of the game from fatigue. Lower dose(900) did the trick in relation to fatigue clear tasting water did take a while to come back.

[RainbowC in reply to Tillymint61]

Good to know the taste should settle down and it’s not just me!

[Lmc52]

Hi I managed just under two months on Rubraca and could not cope with it, sickness, nausea , headaches, horrible tastes and feeling, and excruciating tiredness.Eventually my Consultant and l agreed to take me off it as side effects and extremely low blood counts were not helping. Unfortunately it has led to hospital admittance for well over 3 weeks. However it can work excellently for lots of people and be a great help. Starting to feel more like me Now and they have promised me there are other things to try.Wonderful marvellous NHS.So l really hope that you settle and live the best life.

Take care Linda.

[Mysticmeg123]

Hi. I am on Olaparib and 6 months later I still can’t drink plain water. It tastes like it has paracetamol in it! Same with anything that has salt. It’s overwhelming. Apparently this is a common side effect. I have switched to coconut water which still doesn’t taste great but in this heat it has helped me to stay hydrated. I am just thankful that wine still tastes good 😂

[meadowgirl]

I too am on Olaparib and find that water tastes unpleasant. My trick is to add about 25% tonic water and it just changes it enough to make it palatable. This is a tricky one girls as, like me, you are probably trying to drink your 2 litres a day to flush out toxins from the drugs. I’d be happy to hear of other tips and tricks to encourage me to drink more.

[CastrolColours]

I have just stopped recuperate after six months as it’s not working, I can’t say I had any particular side-effects that I noticed,

Although now I am thinking during that time I drank lots of fizzy water rather than tapwater. And now I’m drinking tapwater again.

Although what I didn’t put down to Rucaparib was the change in taste in peppers.

Red peppers to be precise, oh my goodness having eaten them for most of my life, I couldn’t get it out of my mouth fast enough, I didn’t even bite into it but it was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted.

(which obviously my daughter found absolutely hilarious)

I do think that the side-effects will settle down (I still haven’t tried red peppers)

And if it keeps the cancer at bay for a few extra months it’s worth it

[paulamma1]

Hi from the US.

Wow, y’all are on high doses! I was on 300mg x 2 and I just had it reduced to 250 x 2 as my platelet count was so low. No taste difference just, initially, a strange all over body sore, icky feeling.

Every so often I’ll get this unpleasant like electric sensation through me 🤷‍♀️

Hang in there girls, we’re getting through this!!

[Rubymurray55]

Hi I commenced on Rucaprib on 500mg twice a day in November 2021. It totally wiped me out also had horrible taste in mouth and reoccurring oral thrush. In March it began to affect my red blood cells with me having 3 blood transfusions within 6 weeks.My oncologist reduced the dose to 400mg twice a day and since then I have felt so much better, the fatigue is much improved and I almost feel normal!!!

Only issue is bad taste in mouth and sun sensitivity.

Finding the dose that suits you is so important.

Good Luck