What is the most important information I should know about niraparib?
Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have fever, frequent infections, weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, weight loss, blood in your urine or stools, easy bruising or bleeding. These may be symptoms of bone marrow disorder and may lead to death.
What is niraparib?
Niraparib is used as a "maintenance" treatment in adults to keep certain types of cancer from coming back. This includes cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum (the membrane that lines the inside of your abdomen and covers some of your internal organs).
Niraparib is given after you have received chemotherapy (with cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin, or similar) and your cancer has responded to that medicine.
Niraparib is sometimes used only if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "BRCA" gene) or other gene mutations. Your doctor will test you for this gene.
Niraparib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking niraparib?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease;
- high blood pressure; or
- liver or kidney disease.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Do not use niraparib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause a miscarriage. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
This medicine may affect fertility (the ability to have children) in men. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
Niraparib is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take niraparib?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.
Niraparib is usually taken once a day until your body no longer responds to the medication.
Niraparib may be taken at bedtime if it upsets your stomach.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
If you vomit shortly after taking niraparib, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.
Niraparib can lower your blood cell counts. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
Your blood pressure and heart rate will also need to be checked often.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking niraparib?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of niraparib?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have signs of a bone marrow disorder: fever, frequent infections, weakness, tiredness, feeling short of breath, weight loss, blood in your urine or stools, easy bruising or bleeding.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- sores or white patches in or around your mouth, trouble swallowing or talking, dry mouth, bad breath, altered sense of taste;
- pain or burning when you urinate; or
- severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears.
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- indigestion, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- irregular heartbeats, feeling short of breath;
- abnormal liver function or other blood tests;
- little or no urination, changes in the color of your urine, painful urination;
- dry mouth, mouth sores;
- altered sense of taste;
- back pain, muscle or joint pain;
- headache, dizziness, anxiety;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- tiredness;
- cough, sore throat; or
- rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect niraparib?
Other drugs may affect niraparib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about niraparib.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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