Hi allI've been taking Olaparib for just under a month now. I don't have terrible side-effects but am often tired and nauseous. (I'm on my second anti-nausea medication and can try others and may be considering lowering the Olaparib dose.)
Not knowing how long this will last is getting me down a bit. Does anyone have any experience to share re how long it took for their body to get used to a PARP inhibitor and the side-effects to go?
Thanks x
hi, it took me about 4 months to get used to it. During this time, my dosage was stopped for10 days once when I became very dizzy during a vacation hike, dosage was lowered to minimal dose when haem dropped to 6, and then it was slightly increased to hit a point where my Haemoglobin and platelet counts are acceptable. Now I am almost a year into it and I am ok. I still have the occasional nausea (esp in morning), and breathlessness during intense activity (that I could do earlier) but nothing that requires any medication. Wish you the best!
Maybe ask if they can drop the dose for a couple of weeks before building back up again?
It’s all very well for Doctors to say you have to keep going, they aren’t the ones feeling sick for a month!
Your quality of life matters xx
I'm sorry to hear that it is taking a time for you to become adjusted to Olaparib. Could the dose be reduced for a while?
I have been taking it for just over 3 years and fortunately haven't had any side effects. I guess I have just been lucky with it.
I've been on Olaparib for a year now and don't suffer with very bad side effects, but like you the side effects I do get are nausea and fatigue. I can't remember how long it took for the worst of the nausea to wear off, I think a few months, and I still get a little nauseous occasionally - I think the trick is to know what makes you nauseous and take steps to prevent it if you can. For me, the worst thing was having an empty stomach so I've got used to snacking throughout the day, and eating a piece of toast or something small first thing, certainly before taking my tablets. This is terrible for my waistline but good for my nausea!I still get fatigue, although not quite as bad as at the start, and again I think you just have to get used to a 'new normal' - I can't do too much at once any more, so if I need to do certain things this week, I plan to spread out the tiring activities so that I perhaps do one or two per day instead of rushing round and wearing myself out.
Ovacome have a very helpful webinar called Parp Life which you can watch here ovacome.org.uk/ovarian-canc...
And like others have said, you can always try lowering the dose. As I understand it, this doesn't affect the efficacy of the drug. I think they prescribe everyone the same dose initially, regardless of height/weight etc, and then should work with you to find the right dose for you and your body.
I hope things settle down for you and you can start enjoying life again soon xx
I have to eat before taking tablets and wake up hungry as well. I am trying intermittent fasting but this morning nausea (not everyday) does not allow me to fast for long. So I do whenever I can. Same with strenuous activity. Thanks for sharing in detail; I feel I am not alone 💕
it’s different for everyone. I’ve been on it 9.5 years in a trial at full dose and it’s been easy. This is my third trial drug and by far the easiest. I’d suggest speaking with yr onc about maybe reducing dosage short term and then poss building back up to full dose. Good luck x
I started at 400 mg/day and after a year went down to 300 and stayed on that for two more years. My worst side effects improved after four months but fatigue and distaste for food and acid reflux stayed. I feel that it saved my life so on balance it was worth it but I love being off it.
Hi there, sorry you’re struggling with the side effects of Olaparib right now. I was on it for two years and suffered mild nausea and fatigue for roughly the first four months.
I kept on the full dose throughout, taking three two week breaks when my HB levels dropped.
I’ve been NED for over three and a half years now, so definitely worth persevering.
Best wishes
Denise xxx
Hello.
Feeling nauseous is so horrid isn’t it.
I’ve been taking full dose of Olaparib since November 2022. I’d say it took about 4-5 months for the nausea to completely settle. I found that taking the anti sickness medication Metochlopramide 3 times a day initially, then gradually reducing the frequency, then only taking it when nausea began and finally stopping it completely worked for me.
Hope you get some relief soon
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