(tal a ZOE pa rib)
Trade Name: Talzenna®
Talazoparib is the generic name for the trade name drug, Talzenna. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name, Talzenna, when referring to the generic drug name, talazoparib.
Drug Type: Talazoparib is a targeted therapy. This medication is classified as a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (for more detail, see "How Talazoparib Works" below).
What Talazoparib Is Used For
- Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer which is BRCA mutated (gBRCAm) (positive) and HER 2 negative.
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physician may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How Talazoparib Is Given
- Talazoparib is a capsule, taken by mouth, once a day.
- It may be taken with or without food.
- Swallow talazoparib capsule whole. Do not crush, dissolve, or open capsule.
- Do not take capsules if they look damaged or show signs of leakage.
- Do not change your dose or stop talazoparib unless your health care provider tells you to. Take talazoparib exactly as prescribed.
- If you miss a dose or vomit a dose, take your next dose at your usually scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.
- If you take too much talazoparib, call your health care provider right away or go to the emergency room.
- Let your doctor know if you are starting any new medications as some common medications (amiaderone, carvedilol, clarithromycin, itraconazole, and verapamil) interact with talazoparib.
The amount of talazoparib that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition you have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage and schedule.
Side Effects
Important things to remember about the side effects of talazoparib:
- Most people will not experience all of the side effects listed.
- Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration, and severity.
- There are many options to minimize or prevent side effects.
- There is no relation between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking talazoparib:
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving talazoparib:
A serious, but rare, side effect of talazoparib may be a secondary malignancy with myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia.
Not all side effects are listed above. Side effects that are very rare -- occurring in less than about 10 percent or patients -- are not listed here. But you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Health Care Provider
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, and go to the emergency room if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4º F (38º C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or a cough that is new or worse.
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24-hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Unable to eat or drink for 24 hours or have signs of dehydration: tiredness, thirst, dry mouth, dark and decrease amount of urine, or dizziness.
- Stomach pain or heartburn
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning with urination
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Precautions
- Before starting talazoparib treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.).
- Talazoparib interacts with amiaderone, carvedilol, clarithromycin, itraconazole, and verapamil. If you are on one of these medications, please discuss with your physician prior to starting talazoparib.
- Do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor's approval while taking talazoparib.
- Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment. Pregnancy category D (Talazoparib may be hazardous to the fetus. Women who are pregnant or become pregnant must be advised of the potential hazard to the fetus).
- For women: Use effective contraception and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking talazoparib. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended during treatment and for up to 7 months after last dose of talazoparib.
- For men: Use effective contraception and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking talazoparib. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended during treatment and for up to 4 months after last dose of talazoparib.
- Talazoparib may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.
- Do not breast feed while taking talazoparib.
Self-Care Tips
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- If you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges, mints or chewing gum may be helpful.
- Avoid sun exposure. Wear SPF 30 (or higher) sunblock and protective clothing.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- Remain active as you are able. Gentle exercise is encouraged such as a daily walk.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Monitoring and Testing While Taking Talazoparib
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking talazoparib to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work will be obtained to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor. Pregnancy testing may be required prior to starting talazoparib if a woman is of childbearing age.
How Talazoparib Works
Targeted therapy is the result of about 100 years of research dedicated to understanding the differences between cancer cells and normal cells. To date, cancer treatment has focused primarily on killing rapidly dividing cells because on feature of cancer cells is that they divide rapidly. Unfortunately, some of our normal cells divide rapidly too, causing multiple side effects.
Targeted therapy is about identifying other features of cancer cells. Scientists look for specific differences in the cancer cells and the normal cells. This information is used to create a targeted therapy to attack the cancer cells without damaging the normal cells, thus leading to fewer side effects. Each type of targeted therapy works a little bit differently, but all interfere with the ability of the cancer cell to grow, divide, repair and/or communicate with other cells.
There are different types of targeted therapies, defined in three broad categories. Some targeted therapies focus on the internal components and function of the cancer cell. The targeted therapies use small molecules that can get into the cell and disrupt the function of the cells, causing them to die. There are several types of targeted therapy that focus on the inner parts of the cells. Other targeted therapies target receptors that are on the outside of the cell. Therapies that target receptors are also known as monoclonal antibodies. Antiangiogenesis inhibitors target the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the cells, ultimately causing the cells to starve.
Talazoparib is a targeted therapy. Talazoparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme inhibitor, including PARP1, PARP2. PARP enzymes are involved in DNA transcription, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. Talazoparib is a potent oral PARP inhibitor with both strong catalytic inhibition and a PARP-trapping potential resulting in DNA damage, decreased cell reproduction, and cell death. Catalytic inhibition causes cell death due to accumulation of DNA damage which cannot be repaired. Talazoparib also traps PARP-DNA complexes which may help increase effective cell death.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.