Generic name:niraparib [ nih-RAP-a-rib ]
Drug class:PARP inhibitors
What is Zejula?
Zejula is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Zejula is used as a maintenance treatment to keep certain types of cancer from coming back. This includes ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or peritoneal cancer (the peritoneum is the membrane that lines the inside of your abdomen and covers some of your internal organs).
Zejula is given after you have received platinum-based chemotherapy (with cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin, or similar) and your cancer has responded to that medicine.
Zejula is sometimes used only if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "BRCA" gene) or other gene mutations. Your doctor will test you for this gene to determine if Zejula is right for you.
Warnings
Stop taking Zejula and call your doctor at once if you have fever, frequent infections, weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, weight loss, blood in your urine or stools, easy bruising or bleeding. These may be symptoms of bone marrow disorder and may lead to death.
You should not use Zejula if you are pregnant. Avoid pregnancy for at least 6 months after you stop using this medicine.
You should not breast-feed while using Zejula and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
Before taking this medicine
To make sure Zejula is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease;
