[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [PARP inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/parp-inhibitors/) › Rucaparib # Rucaparib ## PARP inhibitors? PARP inhibitors ## High alert? An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. ## Pregnancy: avoid? Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus: a pregnancy test is done before starting, effective contraception is used during treatment and for a time afterwards (by women and by men… A PARP inhibitor for BRCA-mutated ovarian and prostate cancer. It causes photosensitivity and can raise the effect of warfarin. Updated Nov 1, 2026 Also called: rucaparib camsylate ## Quick facts **Group** [PARP inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/parp-inhibitors/) **Target** Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases PARP1 and PARP2 **Key effects** Nausea · Fatigue and anaemia · Diarrhoea **Monitor** BRCA test before starting **ATC** L01XK03 No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline. On this page - The basics Mechanism of action - Indications - Adverse effects - Pharmacokinetics - Memory aid - Clinical What the labels mean - Safety Contraindications - Key interactions - What is monitored - Administration and safety - Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Nursing care - Study Test yourself - Connections Connections ## Mechanism of action ✂**Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases PARP1 and PARP2**Rucaparib ⓘ The figure shows rucaparib in the NAD+ site of the human PARP1 catalytic domain. **Target in 3D:** Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases PARP1 and PARP2. PDB structure 6VKK (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6VKK) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom Rucaparib inhibits PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 at the NAD+ site and traps them on DNA, which is lethal to tumour cells lacking BRCA-dependent homologous recombination. It also inhibits several CYP enzymes, the source of its drug interactions. - Blocks PARP1-3 at the NAD+ site and traps them on DNA - BRCA-deficient tumour cells cannot repair the damage - Also inhibits CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 ## Indications - Maintenance in recurrent BRCA-mutated ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer after a response to platinum. [Ovarian cancer →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) - BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer after androgen receptor-directed therapy. [Prostate cancer →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostate-cancer/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, bad taste - Fatigue and anaemia - Diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain - Mouth sores - Sensitivity to sunlight and rash ### Serious (rare, important) - Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia (rare, often fatal) - Myelosuppression: anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia ## Contraindications - No absolute contraindications in the label apart from hypersensitivity; see the warnings ## Key interactions **Warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate)** Its effect can rise; the INR is checked more often. **Narrow-margin substrates of CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9 or CYP2C19** Rucaparib can raise their levels; doses or monitoring may need changes. ## What is monitored - BRCA test before starting - Complete blood count during treatment - INR in patients on warfarin ## Administration and safety - Oral tablets twice daily at evenly spaced times, with or without food. - Sun protection: protective clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus: a pregnancy test is done before starting, effective contraception is used during treatment and for a time afterwards (by women and by men with partners who could conceive), and breastfeeding is avoided. ## Nursing care - Review blood counts before and during treatment; teach to report pallor, fatigue, bruising, bleeding or fever. - Check whether the patient takes warfarin and make sure INR checks are planned. - Teach sun protection. - Confirm a negative pregnancy test before the first dose and teach contraception during treatment and afterwards. ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Oral tablets, twice daily, with or without food. **Metabolism** Mainly CYP2D6, less CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. **Half-life** About 26 hours. ## Memory aid «RUCAparib and the two R's»: Rays (photosensitivity) and Raised warfarin (CYP2C9). ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which anticoagulant needs closer INR monitoring with rucaparib, and why? Warfarin, because rucaparib inhibits CYP2C9. ## Which skin precaution applies to rucaparib? Sun protection, because it causes photosensitivity. ## In which two cancers is rucaparib used? BRCA-mutated ovarian (with fallopian tube and peritoneal) and prostate cancer. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/rucaparib/) [More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology) ## What the labels mean **High alert** An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. **Pregnancy: avoid** Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus: a pregnancy test is done before starting, effective contraception is used during treatment and for a time afterwards (by women and by men… ## Connections ## Related drugs 3 - [Olaparib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/olaparib/) - [Niraparib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/niraparib/) - [Talazoparib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/talazoparib/) ## Related conditions 2 - [Ovarian cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) - [Prostate cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostate-cancer/) [← Back to the class: PARP inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/parp-inhibitors/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Rucaparib: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a617002.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Rucaparib Camsylate - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/rucaparibcamsylate) (National Cancer Institute, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L01XK03) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rucaparib/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rucaparib/