Cancer drugs A to Z list
Niraparib is a type of targeted cancer drug called a PARP inhibitor. It is also known as Zejula.
It is a treatment for some types of ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancers.
You pronounce niraparib as nir-rap-ar-ib.
Find out about these different types of cancers
Niraparib is a PARP (Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase) inhibitor. PARP is a protein that helps healthy and non healthy cells repair damaged DNA.
DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. It’s the genetic code that is in the heart of all animal and plant cells. It controls everything the cell does.
Cancer cells rely on the PARP proteins to keep their DNA healthy to keep on growing and dividing. Niraparib stops the PARP protein from working, so the cancer cells die.
Go to more information about PARP inhibitors
Niraparib is a capsule.
You usually have them once a day, at the same time each day. Niraparib can make you feel sick so it might help to take them at bedtime.
You swallow them whole with water. Do not chew or crush them.
You can take them with or without food.
You should take the right dose, not more or less.
If you miss a dose or vomit after taking niraparib, take your next dose at its scheduled time.
Talk to your specialist or advice line before you stop taking a cancer drug.
You have niraparib for as long as it’s working, and the side effects aren’t too bad.
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Side effects can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatments you're having.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:
you have severe side effects
your side effects aren’t getting any better
your side effects are getting worse
Early treatment can help manage side effects better.
We haven't listed all the side effects here. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any new symptoms that you think might be a side effect of your treatment.
Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects. But you might have some of them at the same time.
These side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
Increased risk of getting an infection is due to a drop in white blood cells. Symptoms include a change in temperature, aching muscles, cough, headaches, feeling cold and shivery, pain or a burning feeling when peeing, or generally feeling unwell. You might have other symptoms depending on where the infection is.
Infections can sometimes be life threatening. You should contact your advice line urgently if you think you have an infection.
You might be short of breath and look pale due to a drop in red blood cells. This is called anaemia.
This is due to a drop in the number of platelets in your blood. These blood cells help the blood to clot when we cut ourselves. You may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums after brushing your teeth. Or you may have lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs. This is known as petechiae.
Contact your advice line if you experience any of these side effects.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have headaches, nosebleeds, blurred or double vision or shortness of breath. You have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Your doctor may give you medicine to help control it.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you think you might have a urinary tract infection. You might find it difficult to pass urine, want to go with some urgency or are going more often. There may be pain or burning when you go. You may see blood in your urine, or your urine might smell bad or look cloudy.
You might lose your appetite for various reasons while having cancer treatment. Sickness, taste changes or tiredness can put you off food and drinks.
If you have difficulty sleeping, it can help to change a few things about how you try to sleep. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day and spend some time relaxing before you go to bed. Some light exercise each day may also help.
Let your doctor or nurse know if you have headaches. They can give you painkillers. Don’t drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy.
Taste changes may make you go off certain foods and drinks. You may also find that some foods taste different from usual or that you prefer to eat spicier foods. Your taste gradually returns to normal a few weeks after your treatment finishes.
These include your blood pressure, heart palpitations (a faster heartbeat) or chest pain.
You may get a cough while you are having treatment. This could be due to inflammation in the tubes of your lungs or infection.
Let your team know if you have a cough.
You might have a runny or blocked nose while having treatment.
Feeling or being sick is usually well controlled with anti sickness medicines. It might help to avoid fatty or fried foods, eat small meals and snacks and take regular sips of water. Relaxation techniques might also help.
It is important to take anti sickness medicines as prescribed even if you don’t feel sick. It is easier to prevent sickness rather than treat it once it has started.
Tell your healthcare team if you have diarrhoea or constipation. They can give you medicine to help.
Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have indigestion or heartburn. They can prescribe medicines to help.
You may get pain in your back, joints or tummy. Tell your doctor or nurse so they can give you painkillers and advice on what to do to help ease the pain.
You might feel very tired and as though you lack energy.
Various things can help you to reduce tiredness and cope with it, for example exercise. Some research has shown that taking gentle exercise can give you more energy. It is important to balance exercise with resting.
These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
sore eyes that may get itchy, red, pink, swollen and ooze - tell your team as they might give you eye drops
low levels of a substance called potassium in your blood - you have regular blood tests to check this
mood changes including anxiety and feeling depressed
a swollen or bloated tummy
dry or sore mouth and lips - keep your mouth and teeth clean, avoid food and drink that can cause pain or make it more sore
skin changes including a rash and increased sensitivity to the sun, take extra care not to burn
swelling in your hands, legs, ankles and feet caused by fluid
loss of weight
changes to how your kidney and liver works – you’ll have regular blood tests to check this
an allergic reaction that can cause a rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness - some allergic reactions can be life threatening, alert your nurse or doctor if notice any of these symptoms
memory problems
taste changes
nose bleed
aching or painful muscles
We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them.
Read more about how to cope with side effects
Cancer drugs can interact with medicines, herbal products, and some food and drinks. We are unable to list all the possible interactions that may happen. An example is grapefruit or grapefruit juice which can increase the side effects of certain drugs.
Tell your healthcare team about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Also let them know about any other medical conditions or allergies you may have.
It is not known whether this treatment affects in people. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future.
This drug may harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to become pregnant or get someone pregnant while you are having treatment with this drug and for at least a month afterwards.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. Let them know straight away if you or your partner become pregnant while having treatment.
It is not known whether this drug comes through into the breast milk. Doctors usually advise that you don’t breastfeed during this treatment. Or for one month after receiving this treatment.
If you are having tests or treatment for anything else, always mention your cancer treatment. For example, if you are visiting your dentist.
Don’t have immunisations with live vaccines while you’re having treatment and for up to 12 months afterwards. The length of time depends on the treatment you are having.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should avoid live vaccinations.
In the UK, live vaccines include rubella, mumps, measles, BCG, and yellow fever.
You can usually have:
other vaccines, but they might not give you as much protection as usual
the flu vaccine (as an injection)
the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to have a vaccine in relation to your cancer treatment.
You can be in contact with other people who have had live vaccines as injections. If someone has had a live vaccine by mouth or nasal spray there may be a small risk the vaccine virus can be passed onto you if your is weakened.
Your healthcare team will let you know if you need to take any precautions if you are in close contact with someone who has had a live vaccine.
Read more about immunisations and cancer treatment
For further information about this treatment and possible side effects go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. You can find the patient information leaflet on this website.
You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme.
Last reviewed: 31 Mar 2023
Next review due: 31 Mar 2026
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.
Coping with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
Cancer drugs have side effects and these can vary from person to person. But there are things that you can do to help you cope.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
