How do you take Olaparib?

The usual dose is two 150 mg tablets (300 mg total) taken twice a day — morning and evening — with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with water, do not crush or chew them. Your oncologist (cancer specialist) will tell you exactly how long to continue treatment.

What are the side effects of Olaparib?

Feeling tired or weak, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and low blood count (which can make you feel dizzy or get infections easily)

Who should not take Olaparib?

People who are allergic to olaparib or any of its ingredients, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children. People with severe kidney or liver problems should discuss risks carefully with their doctor before starting.

Prescription

PARP inhibitor (targeted cancer therapy)

Olaparib

Q: What is Olaparib used for?

Certain types of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer, especially in people whose cancer is linked to BRCA gene changes

Last reviewed June 2026

Who is this for?

What is this drug?

Olaparib is a cancer medicine that works by blocking a protein called PARP, which cancer cells need to repair themselves — without this repair, the cancer cells die.

What is it used for?

Certain types of ovarian cancerbreast cancerpancreatic cancerand prostate cancerespecially in people whose cancer is linked to BRCA gene changes

Browse by condition

Cancer Treatment

How it works

Inhibits poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes, preventing DNA repair in cancer cells with BRCA1/2 mutations and causing synthetic lethality through accumulation of unrepaired DNA damage.

Prescription Required

You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

Quick Interaction Check

Is Olaparib safe to take with another drug?

Check with multiple drugs →

Explore this drug

What to watch out for

This is a specialist cancer drug — only take it if prescribed by your oncologist, never buy it from roadside sellers or unverified sources. Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have cancer. You will need regular blood tests while on this drug, so keep all your hospital appointments.

Common Side Effects

Feeling tired or weak
nausea or vomiting
loss of appetite
and low blood count (which can make you feel dizzy or get infections easily)

Serious Side Effects

Signs of a blood disorder like unusual bruising
bleeding
or frequent infections — see your doctor immediately. Difficulty breathing or chest pain could mean a serious lung problem and needs urgent attention. Severe stomach pain that does not go away may also need emergency care.

Drug Interactions

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they can increase the drug's side effects. Strong antibiotics or antifungals like ketoconazole and itraconazole can raise olaparib levels dangerously — tell your doctor about any medicine you are taking. Avoid alcohol as it can worsen nausea and tiredness.

Check your specific combination

Is it safe to take Olaparib with your other drugs?

Check →

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Olaparib can harm an unborn baby — it must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing age must use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping.

Who Should NOT Take This

People who are allergic to olaparib or any of its ingredients
pregnant or breastfeeding women
and children. People with severe kidney or liver problems should discuss risks carefully with their doctor before starting.

How to Store

Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. In hot Nigerian weather, keep the medicine in a cool, dry place — not in the bathroom or kitchen. Always keep it out of the reach of children.

For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.