If you have certain cancers, your doctor might suggest Lynparza (olaparib) as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription medication used to treat certain types of the following cancers in adults:

Lynparza comes as a tablet that you swallow. It contains the active drug olaparib. This drug is not currently available as a generic.

Lynparza is typically used as a long-term treatment. You and your doctor will decide how well Lynparza is working for you and how long you’ll take it.

For more information about Lynparza, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Lynparza can cause mild or serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Lynparza treatment. Examples of Lynparza’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • fatigue (low energy) or weakness
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • nausea*
  • anemia (low red blood cell levels)†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† This side effect can be a symptom of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. These are rare but serious side effects of Lynparza. See the “Side effects explained” section below to learn more.

Like most drugs, Lynparza can cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Lynparza include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† This side effect can be a symptom of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. These are rare but serious side effects of Lynparza. See the “Side effects explained” section below to learn more.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Lynparza unless your doctor recommends it.

Lynparza may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Lynparza prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Lynparza, visit MedWatch.

Treatment with Lynparza can cause serious side effects. These weren’t common in the drug’s studies, but they may occur.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Lynparza, which are discussed in “Side effects explained,” include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lynparza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Get answers below to some frequently asked questions about Lynparza’s side effects.

Does Lynparza cause any long-term side effects?

It’s possible for Lynparza to cause long-term side effects. These may include myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These are types of cancer that affect your blood cells or bone marrow. These side effects can occur after you’ve taken Lynparza for years and can last for a long time.

Also, taking Lynparza can increase the risk of blood clots. If you develop a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner. This type of medication is used to treat clots and may also be prescribed long term to help prevent clots in the future.

To learn more about MDS, AML, and blood clots with Lynparza, see “Side effects explained” below. If you have more questions about Lynparza and long-term side effects, talk with your doctor.

Can Lynparza cause hair loss?

No, Lynparza isn’t known to cause hair loss.

Keep in mind that Lynparza is typically used after treatment with chemotherapy (traditional drugs used for cancer treatment). Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about hair loss and chemotherapy, including how long this side effect may last.

Is weight gain a side effect of Lynparza?

No, weight gain isn’t a known side effect of Lynparza.

Some people had edema in studies. Edema is swelling due to excess fluid in the body. This side effect can cause minor, temporary weight gain. This weight gain should go away once edema is treated or goes away.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about weight gain and your treatment plan.

Can Lynparza cause ocular (eye-related) side effects?

No, Lynparza isn’t known to cause ocular side effects.

It’s important to note that Lynparza is typically used after treatment with chemotherapy. Some chemotherapy medications can cause eye-related side effects, including:

Lynparza may be prescribed with the medication Avastin (bevacizumab) to treat certain ovarian cancers. Avastin has been reported to cause some eye-related side effects. And the combined use of Lynparza with Avastin may cause high blood pressure in some people. Rarely, very high blood pressure may cause blurred vision. See this article for details about side effects of Avastin.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about your treatment plan and eye-related side effects.

Learn more about some of the side effects Lynparza may cause.

Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia

Rarely, treatment with Lynparza may cause problems with your blood marrow, including:

In studies, MDS and AML were reported in people taking Lynparza who:

MDS or AML occurred after 2 years of Lynparza treatment, on average. Some cases happened within 6 months of starting the drug. Others were reported in people who had taken Lynparza for more than 10 years. MDS and AML were rare side effects in studies, though some cases were fatal.

Symptoms of MDS or AML can include:

Before you begin treatment with Lynparza, your doctor will have you get blood tests to check your blood cell counts. These tests check for problems with your blood cells, such as low levels of red blood cells or white blood cells. If your cell counts are low, your doctor will wait until your counts return to normal levels before prescribing Lynparza.

You’ll have these blood tests once a month while you’re taking Lynparza. If your blood counts become low while taking Lynparza, your doctor will temporarily pause your Lynparza treatment.

What might help

If you notice symptoms of MDS or AML, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely want to check your blood counts. They may also refer you to a specialist for more testing and evaluation.

If your doctor confirms you have MDS or AML, they’ll have you stop taking Lynparza. They’ll recommend the best treatment for this side effect.

Blood clots

Blood clots are a rare but serious side effect of Lynparza. This side effect was reported in people taking Lynparza with androgen deprivation therapy (a hormone therapy) to treat a type of prostate cancer. The types of blood clots reported include:

Symptoms of these blood clots can include:

What might help

Contact your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a blood clot while taking Lynparza. If they confirm this side effect, they can discuss treatment options with you, such as a blood thinner. They’ll also discuss whether you can safely continue taking Lynparza.

Pneumonitis

Treatment with Lynparza can rarely cause pneumonitis as a side effect. Pneumonitis refers to inflammation (swelling and damage) in your lungs. In very severe cases, pneumonitis can be fatal.

Symptoms of pneumonitis include:

  • chills
  • cough
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • fever
  • headache
  • shortness of breath
  • tightness in your chest
  • wheezing

What might help

Contact your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of pneumonitis while taking Lynparza. They’ll likely want to order a chest X-ray to examine you further.

If they confirm you have pneumonitis, your doctor will likely have you permanently stop treatment with Lynparza. They’ll also treat your pneumonitis, which may include medications such as Rayos (prednisone) or a drug you’ll use with an inhaler, such as albuterol.

Nausea

Nausea was the most common side effect reported by people taking Lynparza in studies. Some people in these studies stopped taking Lynparza due to nausea. But severe nausea due to Lynparza was rarely reported.

Nausea caused by Lynparza sometimes goes away on its own. In other cases, it may require treatment.

What might help

Contact your doctor if you have nausea that won’t go away or bothers you while taking Lynparza. They can recommend treatment for this side effect.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Lynparza can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Or they might suggest a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream.

If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Lynparza, they’ll decide if you should continue taking the drug.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Lynparza, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Lynparza treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were also taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Lynparza affects you. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Lynparza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lynparza. The list below includes factors to consider.

Blood disorders, such as low blood cell counts. Rarely, Lynparza can cause certain bone marrow and blood cancers as side effects. These include myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you have a blood disorder, such as low levels of certain blood cells, you may be at higher risk of MDS or AML with Lynparza. Your doctor can help determine whether Lynparza is safe for you to take.

Breathing or lung problems. Rarely, Lynparza can cause pneumonitis (swelling and damage in your lungs). People with breathing or lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) may be at higher risk of this side effect. Your doctor can help determine whether Lynparza is safe for you to take.

Kidney problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before you start Lynparza. Depending on the severity of your kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower Lynparza dose than usual. Having kidney problems can affect your body’s ability to get rid of Lynparza, which can raise your risk of side effects.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lynparza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lynparza. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol use and Lynparza

It should be safe to drink alcohol with Lynparza. But drinking alcohol could worsen or increase your risk of certain side effects of Lynparza. These include stomatitis (sores or irritation in the lining of your mouth), nausea, and diarrhea.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink while taking Lynparza.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Lynparza

It’s not known for certain whether it’s safe to take Lynparza while pregnant or breastfeeding. But it’s thought that the drug could cause harm if taken while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take Lynparza while pregnant. They’ll also likely recommend avoiding breastfeeding while taking Lynparza and for at least 1 month after your last dose.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend you use birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

If you’re male* and your sexual partner can become pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you and your partner use birth control while you take Lynparza, and for at least 3 months after your last dose. They’ll also recommend that you do not donate sperm while taking Lynparza or for at least 3 months after your last dose.

If you have questions about Lynparza, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Like most medications, Lynparza can cause side effects. Many of these are mild and may go away on their own. But the drug can also cause some serious side effects in rare cases.

Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in learning more about Lynparza. Ask questions to help you become familiar with this medication and its side effects. Some examples to help get you started are:

  • If I have side effects while taking Lynparza, is there a lower dose I can try instead?
  • Will I take Lynparza with other medications? If so, will this raise my risk of side effects?
  • Am I at higher risk of side effects with Lynparza based on my other medical conditions?

If you have breast cancer, you can find support and advice in our Bezzy breast cancer community. You can also consider signing up for Healinggeeks’s online newsletter to get information on treatments and stories from others living with this condition.

Q:

Is it safe for older people to take Lynparza? Are there side effects that are more likely to occur in older adults?

Anonymous

A:

Lynparza is safe for older people to take. Doctors commonly prescribe Lynparza to adults of all ages, including people ages 65 years or older. The drug’s studies included older adults whose ages ranged from 65 to more than 85 years. Overall, no differences in the safety or effectiveness of Lynparza were seen in older adults compared to younger adults.

In general, though, older people may be at higher risk of side effects than younger people. For example, dizziness is a common side effect of Lynparza. Dizziness may lead to falls and related injuries. Overall, older people are more likely to experience serious injuries from falls (such as broken bones) than younger people.

If you have questions about your risk of side effects while taking Lynparza, talk with your doctor.

The Healinggeeks Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healinggeeks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.