Rucaparib is an anticancer drug that belongs to the class of medications called PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitors. FDA approved this medicine on December 19, 2016, to treat certain types of cancers.

Rucaparib is an orally available prescription drug. It is used to help maintain the response to other treatments for certain types of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube (a tube that transports eggs released by the ovaries to the uterus), and primary peritoneal (layer of tissue that lines the abdomen) cancer that has reoccurred in adults who have previously completely responded or partially responded to other chemotherapy treatments.

It is also used to treat certain types of cancer in people with specific gene (BRCA) changes who have received treatment with at least two other chemotherapy treatments. It is also indicated as maintenance therapy immediately after chemotherapy which has caused the tumor to shrink.

It is an orally available antineoplastic drug. The medicine is available as 200mg, 250mg, and 300mg tablets. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Rucaparib based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time, with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.

The common side effects of Rucaparib include rash, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, changes in the blood count, shortness of breath, and tiredness. Other serious side effects include severe anemia, hypersensitivity reactions, sepsis (blood infection), and pneumonia.

This medicine may cause low blood counts of red blood cells, WBC, or platelets. The signs and symptoms of low blood cell counts include fever, infection, bruising, or bleeding. A low blood cell count may indicate bone marrow problems such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Your doctor may advise you to take blood tests before and every month during the treatment. Rucaparib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy during the treatment.

Inform your doctor if you have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain during the treatment because this medicine may affect your stomach or bowels. Rucaparib should not be given to children under 18 years of age.  Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Rucaparib or any of the ingredients. If you are a female patient with reproductive potential, use effective contraception during the treatment and for 6 months after the last dose. Male patient with female partner, of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during the treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.

Store this medicine at 20°C to 25°C. Protect the medicine from light and excessive moisture.  Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. If you forgot to take the tablet, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Rucaparib and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. 

You may get sunburn easily during treatment with Rucaparib. Keep out of direct sunlight and wear protective clothing that covers your head, arms, and legs. Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) after consulting your doctor. If you vomit after taking the medicine, do not take an extra dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may do lab tests to check the therapy's effectiveness or monitor the unwanted side effects.

1. Rubraca 250mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). www.medicines.org.uk. [revised on 2022] [cited 2023 Apr 11]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10027/smpc
2. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION - Rucaparib. [revised on 2018] [cited 2023 Apr 11]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/209115s003lbl.pdf
3. Shirley M. Rucaparib: A Review in Ovarian Cancer. Targeted Oncology. [2019 Apr 1] [cited 2022 Oct 15];14(2):237–46. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30830551/

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.