Rucaparib

What is rucaparib used for?

• Rucaparib is used to treat ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

Before taking rucaparib, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to rucaparib; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have had chemo treatments before and you still have blood problems from those treatments.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take rucaparib and for 2 weeks after your last dose.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with rucaparib.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take rucaparib with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take rucaparib?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take rucaparib. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Rarely, a bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a type of leukemia have happened in patients treated with rucaparib. Sometimes, this has been deadly.
• Low blood cell counts may happen with rucaparib. Low blood cell counts may raise the chance of needing a blood transfusion or getting an infection or bleeding. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• It is common to have diarrhea, upset stomach, throwing up, or stomach pain with rucaparib. Call your doctor if any of these side effects get very bad, bother you, or do not go away.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• If you are able to get pregnant, a pregnancy test will be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting rucaparib. Talk with your doctor.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking rucaparib and for 6 months after stopping rucaparib.
• If you get pregnant while taking rucaparib or within 6 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

How is rucaparib best taken?

Use rucaparib as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Take doses about 12 hours apart.
• If you throw up after taking a dose, do not repeat the dose. Take your next dose at your normal time.
• Keep taking rucaparib as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of rucaparib that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Weight loss.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Low mood (depression).

What are some other side effects of rucaparib?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.
• Swelling of belly.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
• Change in taste.
• Not hungry.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Not able to sleep.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out rucaparib?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about rucaparib, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take rucaparib or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to rucaparib. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.