FDA approves new drug for adults with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancers
- Amanda Bridges
- April 6, 2017
- Drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zejula (niraparib) for the maintenance treatment (intended to delay cancer growth) of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, whose tumors have completely or partially shrunk (complete or partial response, respectively) in response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Common side effects of Zejula include low levels of red blood cells (anemia), low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), low levels of white blood cells (neutropenia or leukopenia), heart palpitations, nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain/swelling (distention), inflammation of the mucous membranes (mucositis), diarrhea, indigestion (dyspepsia), dry mouth, fatigue, decreased appetite, urinary tract infection, liver problems (AST/ALT elevation), muscle pain (myalgia), back pain, joint pain (arthralgia), headache, dizziness, unusual taste sensation (dysgeusia), insomnia, anxiety, cold-like symptoms (nasopharyngitis), trouble breathing (dyspnea), cough, rash and high blood pressure (hypertension). Zejula is associated with serious risks, such as hypertension, severe increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), bone marrow problems (myelodysplastic syndrome), a type of cancer of the blood called acute myeloid leukemia and low levels of blood cells in the bone marrow (bone marrow suppression).Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Zejula because it may cause harm to a developing fetus or a newborn baby.
For more information, please visit: Zejula.
