Rubraca

Rubraca is used to treat specific types of advanced ovarian cancer that have not improved after other treatments. Wear protective sunblock and clothing to protect your skin while using Rubraca.

Rubraca Overview

Reviewed: March 29, 2017
Updated: 

Rubraca is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer. Rubraca belongs to a group of drugs called PARP inhibitors. These work by killing cancer cells. 

Rubraca comes in tablet form and is taken 2 times a day, with or without food. Do not chew, divide, or break Rubraca tablets. Swallow tablets whole.

Common side effects of Rubraca include nausea, fatigue, and vomiting. Rubraca can also cause sensitivity to sunlight. You should protect your skin from sunlight by wearing sunscreen and putting on protective clothing (hats, sunglasses, long sleeves, etc.) before going outside. 

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Rubraca Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Rubraca

Rubraca is a prescription medicine used to treat people with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer who:

  • Whose cancer has come back and who are in response (complete or partial response) to a platinum-based chemotherapy

OR 

  • Have certain "BRCA" gene mutations, either inherited (germline) or acquired (somatic), and
  • Have received previous treatment with 2 or more prior chemotherapy medicines for their cancer

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Rubraca

Serious side effects have been reported with Rubraca. See the “Rubraca Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Rubraca include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach-area pain
  • Changes in how food tastes
  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Decrease in hemoglobin (anemia)
  • Low blood cell counts
  • Changes in liver or kidney function blood tests
  • Increased cholesterol levels

This is not a complete list of Rubraca side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Rubraca Interactions

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Rubraca Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Rubraca including the following:

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia. An increased risk of developing other cancers. It is important to keep all your appointments with your doctor. You and your doctor will monitor your blood counts to ensure safety while taking Rubraca. If a secondary cancer is confirmed, stop taking Rubraca. 

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Rubraca can hurt the baby when given to pregnant women. Women of reproductive age should use contraception during Rubraca treatment and continue until 6 months after the last dose. Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant while taking Rubraca.

Photosensitivity (sensitivity to light). Follow the recommendations below to protect your skin:

  • avoid excessive sunlight exposure
  • avoid sunlamps
  • use daily sunscreen
  • discontinue use when sunburn occurs, do not resume until sunburn has healed

Do not take Rubraca if you are allergic to Rubraca or to any of its ingredients.

Rubraca Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Rubraca, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Rubraca, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Rubraca or to any of its ingredients
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Rubraca and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given Rubraca, and some babies died. No well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women since Rubraca will likely cause harm to the baby based on how it works. Rubraca should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Rubraca can harm your unborn baby and may cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage). You should not become pregnant during treatment with Rubraca.

  • If you are able to become pregnant, your doctor may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Rubraca.
  • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after receiving the last dose of Rubraca.
  • Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that may be right for you.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Rubraca and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Rubraca passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose of Rubraca.

Rubraca Usage

Take Rubraca exactly as prescribed.

Rubraca comes in tablet form and is taken 2 times a day, with or without food. Do not chew, divide, or break Rubraca tablets. Swallow tablets whole. 

If you miss a dose of, take the next dose at its scheduled time. Do not take two doses of Rubraca at the same time to make up for a missed dose. 

If you throw up after taking Rubraca, do not replace the dose. Do not take an extra dose. Instead, take your next dose at your usual time.

Rubraca Dosage

Take Rubraca exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of Rubraca for the treatment of ovarian cancer is 600 mg 2 times a day, with or without food. 

Your doctor may adjust your dose from time to time depending side effects and lab monitoring. 

Rubraca Overdose

If you take too much Rubraca, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

Store Rubraca at room temperature. Keep Rubraca and all medications out of the reach of children.