talazoparib tosylate at a glance
Medicine class
PARP1 and PARP2 inhibitor used as targeted cancer treatment.
Taking the capsules
Swallow whole; do not open, dissolve, chew or crush. They may be taken with or without food.
Blood tests
Regular blood counts are required because anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia can occur.
What is talazoparib tosylate used for?
Licensed adult uses include:
Used alone for germline BRCA1- or BRCA2-mutated, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after specified previous treatments, or when those treatments are unsuitable.
Used with enzalutamide for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer when chemotherapy is not clinically indicated.
How does talazoparib tosylate work?
PARP enzymes help cells repair DNA damage. Talazoparib inhibits PARP1 and PARP2 and traps PARP on damaged DNA, disrupting repair and replication. Some cancer cells with impaired DNA-repair pathways, including BRCA-mutated cells, are particularly vulnerable.
talazoparib tosylate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.1 mg, 0.25 mg, 1 mg
How to take talazoparib tosylate
Take talazoparib exactly as directed by the specialist cancer team.
Swallow each capsule whole with water.
Do not open, dissolve, chew or crush capsules; avoid contact with their contents.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not stop treatment unless the cancer team advises you to.
talazoparib tosylate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Anaemia and other reduced blood-cell counts
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Dizziness or headache
- Diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Hair loss
- Altered taste, indigestion or mouth inflammation
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or infection symptoms, which may indicate neutropenia
- Marked breathlessness, pallor, extreme tiredness or a fast heartbeat, which may indicate significant anaemia
- Unusual or prolonged bleeding or bruising, which may indicate thrombocytopenia
- Painful limb swelling, chest pain, sudden breathlessness or light-headedness, which may indicate a venous blood clot
- Persistent abnormal blood counts requiring investigation for myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukaemia
talazoparib tosylate in pregnancy
Talazoparib may harm an unborn baby and is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy testing is required before treatment where relevant. Effective contraception is needed during treatment and afterwards—at least 7 months for patients who could become pregnant and at least 4 months for male patients with a pregnant partner or one who could become pregnant. Discuss suitable contraception and suspected pregnancy promptly with the specialist team.
talazoparib tosylate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment because a risk to the child cannot be excluded. It should also be avoided for at least 1 month after the final dose.
talazoparib tosylate interactions
The cancer team should review prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products before treatment and whenever medicines change.
Strong P-glycoprotein inhibitors, including clarithromycin, itraconazole, ritonavir and verapamil
These can increase talazoparib exposure and adverse effects, so concurrent use should generally be avoided or specialist-managed.
Strong BCRP inhibitors, including ciclosporin and curcumin supplements
These may increase talazoparib exposure; avoid concurrent use where possible and monitor closely if unavoidable.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John’s wort
These may reduce talazoparib exposure and potentially reduce its effect.
Common questions about talazoparib tosylate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is BRCA testing needed before treatment for breast cancer?
The breast-cancer indication is limited to people with a harmful or suspected harmful inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Testing confirms whether the cancer meets this requirement and may prompt genetic counselling.
Can the capsules be opened or crushed?
No. Swallow them whole and avoid contact with the capsule contents.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.