Expanded Use for Ovarian Cancer Rx

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the use of a common ovarian cancer treatment.

Lynparza (olaparib) can now be used to treat adults with ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer when the cancer has come back. Olaparib was approved for those who have shown a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Not only can this medication now treat additional types of cancer, but a new formulation has been approved. The FDA has approved olaparib tablets. This new formulation means a reduced pill count compared to the capsules, which were approved in 2014. Patients can now take four tablets in a day versus 16 capsules a day.

In 2014, the FDA approved olaparib capsules to treat advanced ovarian cancer associated with defective BRCA genes, as detected by an FDA-approved test. Now, the olaparib tablets have been approved for this same indication.

The capsules are actually being phased out in the United States and will only be available through the Lynparza Specialty Pharmacy Network.

It's important to note that olaparib tablets and capsules can't be substituted for one another on a milligram-to-milligram basis because they are different. Olaparib tablets are to be given twice a day with or without food.

Common side effects include nausea or vomiting, tiredness, diarrhea and headache.

AstraZeneca manufactures this medication.

Written By Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS