Lynparza (Olaparib) for Breast Cancer

Lynparza (olaparib) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with certain inherited BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer.

How Lynparza Works and How It’s Taken

Lynparza is a type of medication called a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. PARP proteins help cells repair damaged DNA. Lynparza blocks PARP proteins, which can lead to more DNA damage in cancer cells and may cause cancer cells to die.

Doctors prescribe Lynparza when adults have certain inherited BRCA-mutated, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. The exact use depends on the stage of cancer and prior treatment. For example:

Lynparza may be used after initial treatment for high-risk early breast cancer, after neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.
Lynparza may be used for metastatic breast cancer after chemotherapy given before surgery, after surgery, or after the cancer has spread. People with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have already received hormone therapy or be considered not appropriate for hormone therapy.

A genetic test can help identify inherited BRCA mutations. Lynparza is taken as tablets by mouth, usually twice daily.

Typical Dosing for Breast Cancer

The usual dose for breast cancer is 300 milligrams by mouth two times a day. Lynparza can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve, or split them.

For early breast cancer, treatment is usually given for one year. It may stop sooner if the cancer comes back or side effects become unacceptable or intolerable. For metastatic breast cancer, treatment usually continues until the cancer gets worse or side effects become unacceptable.

Doctors may pause treatment, lower the dose, or stop treatment if side effects are serious or hard to manage. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Lynparza Side Effects

In clinical trials of Lynparza for HER2-negative breast cancer in adults with certain inherited BRCA mutations, the most common side effects differed between adjuvant treatment for high-risk early breast cancer and treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

For adjuvant treatment of high-risk early breast cancer, side effects reported in at least 10 percent of people included:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomatitis (mouth sores)
Fatigue (tiredness or weakness)
Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
Leukopenia (low white blood cell counts)
Neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell)
Headache
Dysgeusia (changes in taste)
Dizziness
Decreased appetite

For metastatic breast cancer, side effects reported in at least 20 percent of people included:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
Neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell)
Leukopenia (low white blood cell counts)
Fatigue (tiredness or weakness)
Respiratory tract infection
Headache

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Lynparza can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia — Serious bone marrow problems can be life-threatening or fatal.
Pneumonitis — Serious lung inflammation can occur.
Blood clots — These can include venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Liver problems — These can include drug-induced liver injury.
Fetal harm — Lynparza can harm your baby if you are pregnant.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Lynparza

AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Lynparza, offers the LYNPARZA Co-Pay Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 in out-of-pocket costs for Lynparza.

The AstraZeneca Access 360 program can help with insurance, coverage, and cost questions. To learn more, visit AZ Patient Support or call 844-ASK-A360 (844-275-2360).

What To Know Before Taking Lynparza

Before starting Lynparza, your doctor will test or check for an inherited BRCA mutation and verify pregnancy status if you can become pregnant.

Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

Lynparza is also FDA-approved to treat ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.

If you miss a dose of Lynparza, take your next dose at your usual scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

Lynparza can harm your baby if you are pregnant. Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for six months after the last dose. Males with female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for three months after the last dose, and should not donate sperm during that time.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with Lynparza and for one month after the last dose.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Lynparza?

In a study of people with an inherited BRCA mutation and HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer, 86 percent of people taking Lynparza were alive and free of invasive cancer events at three years. This means the cancer had not come back in a serious way, a new cancer had not developed, and the person had not died. This compared with 77 percent of people taking placebo (an inactive treatment).

Overall survival at three years was 93 percent with Lynparza and 89 percent with placebo.

In a study of people with an inherited BRCA mutation and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, Lynparza helped delay cancer growth for a median of seven months. This compared with 4.2 months with chemotherapy. Among people whose tumors could be measured, 52 percent had a confirmed tumor response with Lynparza, compared with 23 percent with chemotherapy.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Lynparza for breast cancer?

Blood tests are done before treatment and every month during treatment to check blood cell counts. If blood counts stay low for a long time, more frequent weekly blood tests are recommended until recovery. Bilirubin and liver enzyme tests are also checked at baseline and throughout treatment.