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Olaparib side effects: what 20,793 FDA adverse event reports show

Olaparib · Lynparza · 1,021 reaction terms · 53,017 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor

FDA label (Established Pharmacologic Class)

Brand names

Lynparza

openFDA label

Who reports

20,793 reports · 91% serious · 5,936 with death outcome · 77% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

Lynparza is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated: Ovarian cancer • for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA -mutated advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

Olaparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor.

FDA label, Description section

Boxed warning

None in the current label

How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled adverse reaction 3Labeled (related wording) 3Likely indication confounding 10Reporting / coding artifact 2Lab value / disease marker 7Not in label — unassessed 15
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers rather than clinicians. 981 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
High grade b-cell lymphoma burkitt-like lymphoma recurrent111,822.2
674.0–4,926.8ROR 1,823.2 · χ² 6,438 / p <1e-300
303.8 EB05 181.0 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Brca2 gene mutation23317.5
198.6–507.6ROR 317.9 · χ² 5,262 / p <1e-300
200.9 EB05 141.0 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=23not reported in cached trials
Acute erythroid leukaemia14296.1
163.0–537.6ROR 296.3 · χ² 2,949 / p <1e-300
174.4 EB05 110.4 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=14not reported in cached trials
Ovarian cancer recurrent355288.0
256.1–323.9ROR 293.0 · χ² 78,513 / p <1e-300
220.9 EB05 202.3 · IC025 +7.2
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=355 · ♀ 100% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Brca1 gene mutation16224.0
130.2–385.2ROR 224.2 · χ² 2,719 / p <1e-300
150.5 EB05 98.2 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=16not reported in cached trials
Myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts12114.7
63.1–208.4ROR 114.8 · χ² 1,113 / p 3e-244
88.8 EB05 54.1 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=12not reported in cached trials
Carbohydrate antigen 125 increased30096.3
85.6–108.3ROR 97.7 · χ² 25,714 / p <1e-300
87.4 EB05 79.4 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=273 · ♀ 99% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Tumour marker abnormal1753.8
33.0–87.7ROR 53.9 · χ² 786 / p 2e-173
48.5 EB05 32.1 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=15not reported in cached trials
Ovarian cancer metastatic3341.2
29.1–58.3ROR 41.2 · χ² 1,203 / p 6e-264
38.7 EB05 28.9 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=33 · ♀ 100% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Tumour marker increased18540.3
34.8–46.6ROR 40.7 · χ² 6,777 / p <1e-300
38.6 EB05 34.2 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=179not reported in cached trials
Malignant peritoneal neoplasm2238.8
25.3–59.3ROR 38.8 · χ² 743 / p 6e-164
36.3 EB05 25.3 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=22not reported in cached trials
Myelodysplastic syndrome48134.6
31.7–37.9ROR 35.4 · χ² 15,161 / p <1e-300
33.5 EB05 31.0 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 21.3 · 93% clinicianNCT03737643: 2/378 (0.5%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Metastases to peritoneum8234.1
27.4–42.5ROR 34.2 · χ² 2,516 / p <1e-300
32.8 EB05 27.2 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=82 · ♀ 98% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Metastases to abdominal cavity1531.5
18.9–52.7ROR 31.5 · χ² 401 / p 2e-89
29.5 EB05 19.0 · IC025 +3.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=15not reported in cached trials
Acquired gene mutation4031.5
23.0–43.1ROR 31.5 · χ² 1,115 / p 1e-244
30.2 EB05 23.1 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=40 · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Astrocytoma1129.1
16.0–53.0ROR 29.1 · χ² 263 / p 2e-59
27.0 EB05 16.0 · IC025 +2.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Metastases to pleura2827.8
19.1–40.5ROR 27.9 · χ² 679 / p 6e-150
26.7 EB05 19.4 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=28 · ♀ 100% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer2925.5
17.7–36.9ROR 25.6 · χ² 643 / p 4e-142
24.6 EB05 17.9 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=29 · ♀ 0% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Ovarian cancer stage iv1024.5
13.1–45.8ROR 24.5 · χ² 197 / p 4e-45
22.7 EB05 12.7 · IC025 +2.4
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=10not reported in cached trials
Metastases to pelvis1422.8
13.5–38.8ROR 22.9 · χ² 265 / p 7e-60
21.7 EB05 13.5 · IC025 +2.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=14not reported in cached trials
Acute myeloid leukaemia34322.7
20.4–25.2ROR 23.1 · χ² 6,938 / p <1e-300
22.2 EB05 20.3 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 14.1 · 94% clinicianNCT02032823: 1/911 (0.1%) on Olaparib; 1/904 (0.1%) control (serious AE)
Myeloid leukaemia1122.4
12.3–40.7ROR 22.4 · χ² 200 / p 1e-45
20.9 EB05 12.0 · IC025 +2.5
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious n=11NCT02032823: 1/911 (0.1%) on Olaparib; 1/904 (0.1%) control (serious AE)
Recurrent cancer8521.6
17.4–26.7ROR 21.7 · χ² 1,613 / p <1e-300
21.1 EB05 17.6 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=85not reported in cached trials
Malignant neoplasm progression2,06320.8
20.0–21.7ROR 23.0 · χ² 38,304 / p <1e-300
20.4 EB05 19.7 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 13.2not reported in cached trials
Prostatic specific antigen abnormal2120.6
13.4–31.8ROR 20.7 · χ² 366 / p 9e-82
19.9 EB05 13.6 · IC025 +3.1
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=18 · ♀ 0% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Haematotoxicity17519.4
16.7–22.5ROR 19.5 · χ² 2,976 / p <1e-300
19.0 EB05 16.7 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 12.4 · 96% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Malignant ascites1418.7
11.0–31.8ROR 18.7 · χ² 214 / p 1e-48
17.7 EB05 10.7 · IC025 +2.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=14not reported in cached trials
Triple negative breast cancer1117.9
9.9–32.5ROR 17.9 · χ² 156 / p 3e-36
16.5 EB05 8.8 · IC025 +2.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Metastases to lymph nodes11717.9
14.9–21.5ROR 18.0 · χ² 1,816 / p <1e-300
17.5 EB05 15.0 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=117not reported in cached trials
Sars-cov-2 test negative1116.5
9.1–29.9ROR 16.5 · χ² 142 / p 4e-33
14.9 EB05 7.9 · IC025 +2.3
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Prostatic specific antigen increased20815.4
13.4–17.6ROR 15.5 · χ² 2,737 / p <1e-300
15.1 EB05 13.5 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious PRR 14.2 · ♀ 0% (drug 77%)not reported in cached trials
Pelvic mass1215.2
8.6–26.9ROR 15.2 · χ² 143 / p 3e-33
13.7 EB05 7.4 · IC025 +2.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Metastases to meninges3013.7
9.5–19.6ROR 13.7 · χ² 335 / p 4e-75
13.1 EB05 9.3 · IC025 +2.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=30not reported in cached trials
Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 increased1013.4
7.2–25.0ROR 13.4 · χ² 101 / p 4e-24
11.3 EB05 5.7 · IC025 +2.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=10not reported in cached trials
Red blood cell count abnormal1913.3
8.4–20.8ROR 13.3 · χ² 200 / p 8e-46
12.3 EB05 7.8 · IC025 +2.6
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=17NCT02032823: 1/904 (0.1%) control (serious AE)
Myelosuppression43213.0
11.8–14.2ROR 13.2 · χ² 4,701 / p <1e-300
12.8 EB05 11.8 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 8.1 · 93% clinicianNCT03737643: 2/378 (0.5%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Metastasis9112.9
10.5–15.9ROR 13.0 · χ² 978 / p 5e-215
12.7 EB05 10.6 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 8.2not reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Olaparib as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (6 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Death4,7295.6
5.4–5.7ROR 6.9 · χ² 18,343 / p <1e-300
5.5 EB05 5.4 · IC025 +2.4
3/3 methods agree
Outcome field, not a reactionserious PRR 3.5not reported in cached trials
Malignant neoplasm progression2,06320.8
20.0–21.7ROR 23.0 · χ² 38,304 / p <1e-300
20.4 EB05 19.7 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 13.2not reported in cached trials
Nausea1,8272.3
2.2–2.4ROR 2.5 · χ² 1,449 / p <1e-300
2.3 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.3NCT02032823: 1/911 (0.1%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Fatigue (tiredness)1,7622.3
2.2–2.4ROR 2.4 · χ² 1,325 / p 2e-290
2.3 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.3NCT02032823: 1/911 (0.1%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Anaemia (low red blood cells)1,6228.6
8.2–9.0ROR 9.3 · χ² 10,947 / p <1e-300
8.6 EB05 8.2 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 5.7NCT02032823: 15/911 (1.6%) on Olaparib; 1/904 (0.1%) control (serious AE)
Off label use (used outside approved label)9341.1
1.0–1.2ROR 1.1 · χ² 6 / p 0.006
1.1 EB05 1.0 · IC025 +0.0Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.1not reported in cached trials
Vomiting7241.6
1.5–1.7ROR 1.6 · χ² 147 / p 4e-34
1.6 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.5Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.3NCT02032823: 2/911 (0.2%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Drug ineffective (drug did not work)6770.5
0.5–0.6ROR 0.5 · χ² 323 / p 2e-72
0.5 EB05 0.5 · IC025 -1.1
PRR-only: not supported by EBGM or IC
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 0.9not reported in cached trials
Neuropathy peripheral (nerve damage in hands/feet)6497.0
6.5–7.5ROR 7.2 · χ² 3,300 / p <1e-300
6.9 EB05 6.5 · IC025 +2.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 4.8 · 74% consumerNCT03737643: 1/378 (0.3%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)6151.0
0.9–1.0ROR 1.0 · χ² 1 / p 0.183
1.0 EB05 0.9 · IC025 -0.2
PRR-only: not supported by EBGM or IC
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 0.9NCT02032823: 1/911 (0.1%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Asthenia (weakness)6131.6
1.5–1.8ROR 1.7 · χ² 157 / p 3e-36
1.6 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.6Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.3NCT03737643: 1/378 (0.3%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Decreased appetite (loss of appetite)5432.4
2.2–2.6ROR 2.4 · χ² 431 / p 5e-96
2.4 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.0NCT02032823: 120/911 (13.2%) on Olaparib; 53/904 (5.9%) control
Disease progression5174.4
4.1–4.8ROR 4.5 · χ² 1,374 / p <1e-300
4.4 EB05 4.1 · IC025 +2.0
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 3.1not reported in cached trials
Myelodysplastic syndrome48134.6
31.7–37.9ROR 35.4 · χ² 15,161 / p <1e-300
33.5 EB05 31.0 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 21.3 · 93% clinicianNCT03737643: 2/378 (0.5%) on Olaparib (serious AE)
Haemoglobin decreased4414.3
4.0–4.8ROR 4.4 · χ² 1,129 / p 9e-248
4.3 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +1.9
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.9not reported in cached trials

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Olaparib?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Olaparib are nausea, fatigue, anaemia, vomiting, neuropathy peripheral, diarrhoea. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Olaparib have an FDA boxed warning?

No. The FDA label retrieved for Olaparib has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.

Do FAERS signals prove that Olaparib causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-08. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.