🟩 Olaparix 50 mg

Generic Name: Olaparib
Brand Name: Olaparix
Manufacturer: Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Dosage Form & Strength: Capsules, 50 mg
Therapeutic Class: Anticancer | PARP Inhibitor

📌 Indications:

Olaparix (Olaparib) is an oral targeted anticancer therapy indicated for:

• Ovarian Cancer – maintenance treatment in adult patients with BRCA-mutated, platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

• Breast Cancer – treatment of HER2-negative, germline BRCA-mutated metastatic breast cancer.

• Pancreatic Cancer – maintenance treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with BRCA mutations.

• Prostate Cancer – metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with HRR (homologous recombination repair) gene mutations including BRCA1/2.

💊 Pharmacology:

Olaparix contains Olaparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor.

• PARP enzymes are essential for repairing single-strand DNA breaks.

• In BRCA-mutated cells, homologous recombination repair is defective.

• Inhibition of PARP leads to accumulation of DNA damage, causing cancer cell death (synthetic lethality).

• Normal cells with intact DNA repair are less affected, making Olaparix a precision medicine for BRCA-related cancers.

💉 Dosage & Administration:

• Recommended Dose: 300 mg orally twice daily (total 600 mg/day).

• Since Olaparix 50 mg capsules are available, dose adjustments may be required based on patient profile.

• Swallow capsules whole; do not chew or crush.

• Continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

• Dose reductions may be necessary for toxicity management.

⚠️ Precautions & Warnings:

• Myelosuppression: Monitor complete blood counts (CBC) at baseline and monthly. May cause anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.

• MDS/AML: Rare cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been reported.

• Pneumonitis: Monitor for unexplained cough, fever, or dyspnea.

• Drug Interactions: Avoid strong CYP3A inhibitors/inducers.

• Liver & Kidney Function: Dose adjustment may be required in moderate hepatic/renal impairment.

❌ Contraindications:

• Known hypersensitivity to Olaparib or excipients.

• Severe uncontrolled medical conditions.

🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation:

• Pregnancy: Contraindicated – may cause fetal harm. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after last dose.

• Breastfeeding: Not recommended during therapy and for 1 month after last dose.

⚕️ Side Effects:

Common:

• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite

• Fatigue, weakness

• Anemia, low blood counts

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Headache, dizziness

• Dysgeusia (altered taste)

Serious:

• Myelosuppression (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)

• MDS/AML

• Pneumonitis

• Secondary malignancies (rare)

🧊 Storage Conditions:

• Store at below 30°C.

• Keep away from moisture and light.

• Keep out of reach of children.