Description
Is Olanib 50 mg right for your situation?
Review these criteria with your oncologist before enquiring- ✓BRCA1/2-mutated ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, including maintenance after platinum chemotherapy
- ✓Germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy
- ✓BRCA1/2-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer or germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer
- ✓Need a WHO-GMP generic alternative to Lynparza® (AstraZeneca) at the 50 mg capsule strength
- ✗No confirmed BRCA mutation or HRR gene alteration (genetic testing is mandatory before starting)
- ✗Pre-existing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- ✗Pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- ✗Severe renal impairment without oncologist dose adjustment
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Prescription required · Named Patient Program · Worldwide shipping
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What is Olanib 50 mg?
Olanib 50 mg is a generic Olaparib capsule — a first-in-class PARP inhibitor — manufactured by Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd. under WHO-GMP certified conditions in Bangladesh. This is the original capsule formulation, distinct from the newer 150 mg tablet formulation. Each capsule contains 50 mg of olaparib and is dispensed under the Named Patient Program for patients with BRCA-mutated or HRR-deficient cancers.
| Generic name | Olaparib |
| Reference brand | Lynparza® (AstraZeneca) |
| Manufacturer | Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd. |
| Standard | WHO-GMP Certified |
| Drug class | PARP Inhibitor |
| Dosage form | Capsule — 50 mg |
| Standard regimen | 8 capsules twice daily (400 mg twice daily) |
| Route | Oral · twice daily |
| Prescription | Required — oncologist only |
How Olaparib Works
Healthy cells have multiple backup pathways to repair damaged DNA. Cancer cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have already lost one major repair pathway (homologous recombination repair) and depend heavily on a backup enzyme called PARP to survive. Olaparib blocks PARP, leaving these cancer cells with no functioning way to repair their DNA — a strategy known as synthetic lethality.
What to Expect: First 30 Days
Olaparib is generally well tolerated for a maintenance therapy, though gastrointestinal symptoms and blood count changes are common in the early weeks.
- Week 1: Nausea is the most common early symptom — taking the medication at bedtime can help. Mild fatigue is also common as your body adjusts to twice-daily dosing.
- Weeks 2–3: Blood counts begin to be monitored closely — particularly red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A drop in haemoglobin (anaemia) is common.
- Week 4: Most patients have adjusted to the routine. Your oncologist will review blood counts and overall tolerability and discuss long-term monitoring plans.
Side Effects
Most side effects are manageable, but olaparib carries rare but serious risks that require ongoing monitoring throughout treatment.
Common · Usually Manageable
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Altered taste
Serious · Report Immediately
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) / acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
- Severe or persistent low blood counts
- Venous thromboembolism (blood clots)
- New or worsening breathlessness, dry cough, or fever (possible pneumonitis)
- Unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, or signs of infection (possible blood disorder)
- Sudden leg swelling/pain, chest pain, or breathlessness (possible blood clot)
How to Take Olanib 50 mg
Standard dose: 8 capsules (400 mg) twice daily, for a total of 800 mg per day, with or without food. Your oncologist will confirm your exact regimen.
- 1Twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart — e.g. morning and evening at consistent times.
- 2Swallow capsules whole with water. Do not chew or crush.
- 3Never substitute capsules for tablets on a milligram-to-milligram basis — the formulations are not interchangeable due to bioavailability differences. Follow your specific prescription exactly.
- 4Avoid grapefruit and Seville oranges — these increase olaparib blood levels via CYP3A4 interaction to potentially dangerous levels.
- 5If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double up.
Caregiver Guidance
- ♥Track blood test appointments closely — regular CBC monitoring is essential, especially in the first year, to catch low blood counts early.
- ♥Watch for fever or unusual bruising — report any signs of infection or prolonged bleeding promptly.
- ♥Help with capsule counting — eight capsules per dose, twice daily, is a high pill burden. A pill organiser helps ensure accuracy and adherence.
If the Medicine Stops Working
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there both 50 mg capsules and 150 mg tablets?
Can I buy Olaparib without a prescription?
Is there a generic version available for Olaparib?
Do I need genetic testing before starting Olanib?
Are there specific foods I need to avoid?
How do I order Olanib through Meds For Cancer?
Meds For Cancer operates as a Named Patient Program (NPP) facilitator. Under this framework, WHO-GMP certified medicines are made available to individual patients with a confirmed medical need and a valid oncologist prescription, in countries where the branded product is unavailable or unaffordable.
This service does not constitute retail pharmacy dispensing. A prescription review is mandatory before any order is processed.
- Moore K, et al. Maintenance olaparib in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (SOLO-1). NEJM 2018;379:2495–2505.
- Robson M, et al. Olaparib for metastatic breast cancer in patients with a germline BRCA mutation (OlympiAD). NEJM 2017;377:523–533.
- NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Ovarian Cancer. V3.2026.
- de Bono J, et al. Olaparib for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PROfound). NEJM 2020;382:2091–2102.
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