Why is this medicine prescribed?
Rucaparib is used to treat certain types of
- ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed)
- fallopian tube (tube that transports eggs released by the ovaries to the uterus) cancer
- prostate cancer
- primary peritoneal (layer of tissue that lines the abdomen) cancer
Rucaparib is in a class of medications called poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. It works by killing cancer cells.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Rucaparib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with or without food twice daily, about 12 hours apart. Take rucaparib at around the same times every day.
Take rucaparib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or adjust your dose of rucaparib depending on your response to treatment and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Do not stop taking rucaparib without talking to your doctor.
If you vomit after taking rucaparib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking rucaparib,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take while taking rucaparib. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or plan to father a child. You should not become pregnant while you are taking rucaparib. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. Use effective birth control during your treatment with rucaparib and for 6 months after your final dose. If you are a male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment and for 3 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking rucaparib, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed during your treatment with rucaparib and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Rucaparib may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Rucaparib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
- constipation
- stomach pain
- loss of appetite
- bad taste in the mouth
- mouth sores
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- weakness, tiredness, fever, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding, or blood in urine or stool
- pale skin, shortness of breath
- rash
Rucaparib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to rucaparib.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.