A PARP inhibitor for ovarian cancer
Rucaparib
A targeted cancer tablet used for certain ovarian cancers, often to help keep them under control after chemotherapy.
What is Rucaparib?
Rucaparib is a specialist cancer medicine used to treat certain ovarian cancers, often as a maintenance treatment to help keep the cancer under control after it has responded to chemotherapy. It is a PARP inhibitor, a targeted treatment that stops cancer cells from repairing their own DNA, which is especially effective in cancers with certain gene faults such as BRCA. It is taken by mouth. Its main concerns are lowered blood counts (which can cause tiredness, infection or bleeding), changes in liver and kidney blood tests, sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and, rarely, a serious bone-marrow problem. It can harm a developing baby, so reliable contraception is needed.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Rucaparib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Rucaparib is a targeted cancer medicine used for certain ovarian cancers, often given as maintenance treatment after the cancer has responded to platinum-based chemotherapy, to help delay it coming back. It is one of a group called PARP inhibitors, which work especially well in cancers that already struggle to repair their DNA, such as those with a BRCA gene fault. It is taken by mouth as a tablet and is prescribed and monitored by a cancer specialist team, who check blood counts, liver and kidney function during treatment.
How it works
Cells use repair systems to fix damage to their DNA. PARP is one such repair tool, and rucaparib blocks it. In cancers that already have a weak DNA-repair system, such as those with a BRCA fault, taking away PARP leaves the cancer cells unable to cope with the damage, so they die, while healthy cells with normal repair are better able to survive. This is why it is particularly useful in certain ovarian cancers. The same pressure on dividing cells in the bone marrow is why it can lower blood counts, which is monitored throughout treatment.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist cancer medicine used in the UK to treat certain ovarian cancers, often as a maintenance treatment after chemotherapy.
Practical use
How to take Rucaparib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as prescribed, usually twice a day; it can be taken with or without food.
- Swallow the tablets whole with water at about the same times each day.
- Keep all your blood test appointments, as these check your blood counts and liver and kidney function.
- Protect your skin from strong sunlight, as the medicine can make it more sensitive to the sun.
- Report unusual tiredness, breathlessness, bruising, bleeding or signs of infection, and use reliable contraception during treatment.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Rucaparib
Advantages
- Can help keep certain ovarian cancers under control after they respond to chemotherapy.
- Particularly effective in cancers with a DNA-repair fault, such as a BRCA gene fault.
- Taken by mouth at home rather than as an infusion.
Disadvantages
- Commonly lowers blood counts, causing tiredness, infection risk or bleeding, and needing regular blood tests.
- Can change liver and kidney blood tests and make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Rarely causes a serious bone-marrow problem, and can harm a developing baby.
Practical use
Good to know
The main thing to expect with rucaparib is an effect on the bone marrow, which can lower red cells (causing tiredness and breathlessness), white cells (raising infection risk) and platelets (raising bleeding and bruising risk); you will have regular blood tests and the dose may be paused or adjusted. It can also change liver and kidney blood tests, which are monitored. A practical point is that it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so using sun protection and covering up is sensible. A rare but serious risk with PARP inhibitors is a bone-marrow problem that can develop into a blood cancer (called MDS or AML), which is one reason long-term blood monitoring continues. It can harm a developing baby, so reliable contraception is needed during treatment and for a time afterwards.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to rucaparib should not take it.
- It is not used in pregnancy because it can harm a developing baby, and breastfeeding is avoided during treatment.
- It is used with caution in people with significant liver or kidney problems or already low blood counts, under specialist guidance.
Monitoring
- Regular blood counts to check red cells, white cells and platelets.
- Liver and kidney blood tests during treatment.
- Long-term monitoring for rare bone-marrow problems, and reviewing how well the cancer is controlled.
Side effects
- Lowered blood counts, causing tiredness, breathlessness, easy bruising or a higher risk of infection.
- Nausea, taste changes, reduced appetite and tummy upset.
- Changes in liver and kidney blood tests, and increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
- Rarely but seriously, a bone-marrow problem that can develop into a blood cancer (MDS or AML), which needs specialist attention.
Key interactions
- Some medicines may affect rucaparib levels or vice versa, so tell your team about everything you take.
- Medicines that also lower blood counts may add to its effects, so these are reviewed by your team.
- It may interact with certain other medicines processed by the liver, so a full medicines list is important.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Rucaparib: frequently asked questions
What is rucaparib used for?
It is used to treat certain ovarian cancers, often as a maintenance treatment after chemotherapy, by stopping cancer cells from repairing their own DNA.
Why does it work well in BRCA cancers?
Cancers with a BRCA fault already struggle to repair their DNA, so blocking the PARP repair tool leaves them unable to cope and they die, while healthy cells survive better.
Why do I need regular blood tests?
Rucaparib can lower red cells, white cells and platelets, so blood tests check these counts and help your team adjust the dose safely.
Why should I avoid strong sunlight?
The medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so using sun protection and covering up helps prevent skin reactions.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
No. Rucaparib can harm a developing baby, so reliable contraception is needed during treatment and for a time afterwards.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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