Does Lynparza (olaparib) cause hair loss?
Lynparza (olaparib), a targeted cancer treatment, is classified as a PARP (or Poly ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitor. PARP inhibitors like Lynparza generally do not cause hair loss. Hair loss has not been reported as a side effect of Lynparza in the package insert and clinical studies conducted by the manufacturer.
Targeted drug therapies like Lynparza (olaparib) find and attack specific types of cancer cells and may cause less damage to healthy cells such as hair follicles. However, common and serious side effects may still occur with targeted drug therapies.
Lynparza has been reported to cause very low rates of hair loss (alopecia) in some studies. In a randomized controlled study, 7 out of 205 patients (3.4%) being treated for breast cancer who took Lynpara reported alopecia (hair loss) compared to 13.2% of patients who received a chemotherapy treatment of the physician's choice.
However, Lynparza may be used in combination with other cancer treatments (chemotherapy) that can cause hair loss. In a study of Lynparaza combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel, hair loss (alopecia) was reported in 89% of patients being treated for breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is known to be associated with significant hair loss.
Hair loss during cancer treatment is a common concern for patients, but hair loss is usually reversible after cancer treatment. However, the emotional effects, even short-term, can be distressing. When hair grows back, it may be more coarse, curly, or lighter in color.
Not all cancer treatments lead to hair loss. Talk to your doctor to review the side effects of your treatments, including the chance for hair loss (alopecia).
Learn more: What are the side effects with Lynparza (olaparib)?
What is Lynparza prescribed for?
Lynparza is an oral medicine approved for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (for women with or without a BRCA mutation), breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.
Lynparza may be used if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "BRCA" or "HRR" gene).
Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for this gene.
Related questions
- How long does it take Lynparza (olaparib) to work?
- How effective is Lynparza (olaparib)?
- Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
Which cancer drugs cause hair loss?
List of chemotherapy drugs that can cause complete hair loss include:
- busulfan
- cyclophosphamide
- dactinomycin
- daunorubicin
- docetaxel
- doxorubicin
- epirubicin
- eribulin
- etoposide
- idarubicin
- ifosfamide
- irinotecan
- ixabepilone
- paclitaxel
- thiotepa
This is not a comprehensive list of drugs that can lead to complete or partial hair loss. Ask your doctor if your cancer treatment leads to hair loss.
What is a cooling cap?
If you are undergoing cancer treatment that may lead to hair loss, talk to your cancer treatment team about ways to minimize the emotional and physical effects of hair loss. Also, ask your doctor about a cooling cap (“scalp hypothermia”). This cap can reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy. It is not effective in everyone and cannot be used for all types of cancer.
- Scalp cooling devices are available in the US that are approved by the FDA, but not all products are approved, so ask your healthcare provider for a recommendation.
- Cost may be an issue if your insurance does not cover it.
- Some side effects can occur with use of cooling caps, such as feeling cold, a headache, or feeling dizzy.
Temporary use of wigs, hairpieces, hats, wraps and scarves are other ways to help manage hair loss during cancer treatment. Insurance will often pay for use of a wig for hair loss due to cancer treatments.
References
- Robson ME, Tung N, Conte P, et al. OlympiAD final overall survival and tolerability results: Olaparib versus chemotherapy treatment of physician's choice in patients with a germline BRCA mutation and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2019 Apr 1;30(4):558-566. 10.1093/annonc/mdz012
- van der Noll R, Jager A, Ang JE, et al. Phase I study of intermittent olaparib capsule or tablet dosing in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (part 2). Invest New Drugs. 2020 Aug;38(4):1096-1107. 10.1007/s10637-019-00857-6
- FDA Clears Wider Use of Cooling Cap to Reduce Hair Loss during Chemotherapy. National Cancer Institute. Accessed July 13, 2022 at https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/fda-cooling-cap-chemotherapy
- Patient education: Hair loss from cancer treatment (The Basics). Up to Date. Accessed Oct. 1, 2021 at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hair-loss-from-cancer-treatment-the-basics
- How Do PARP Inhibitors Work In Cancer? Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Feb. 2020. Accessed July 13, 2022 at https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2016/07/how-do-parp-inhibitors-work-in-cancer/
- Rugo H, et al. Alopecia related to systemic cancer therapy. Up to Date. August 2021. Accessed July 13, 2022 at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/alopecia-related-to-systemic-cancer-therapy
Read next
Where should you not use triamcinolone acetonide cream?
You should not use topical corticosteroids like triamcinolone acetonide cream on your face, groin, or axillae (underarm, armpit) unless directed by your doctor. Using triamcinolone in these areas may lead to unwanted side effects like acne, prominent blood vessels, skin thinning (atrophy), changes in skin color or unwanted hair growth. Continue reading
How effective is clobetasol for hair growth?
Clobetasol is effective at stimulating hair growth. Research has shown hair regrowth was stimulated in about 20 to 25% of people who used clobetasol ointment and in about 47% of people who used clobetasol foam. Regrowth was noticed as early as six weeks into treatment but may take up to 12 to 14 weeks to develop. Continue reading
Does clobetasol cause hair loss or growth?
Clobetasol can stimulate hair growth. Regrowth may be noticed as early as six weeks into treatment but may take up to 12 to 14 weeks to occur. In some people, hair regrowth does not persist long-term. Clobetasol should only be used for hair loss associated with inflammatory conditions of the scalp such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis. Hair loss or hair thinning may also occur, but this is a very rare side effect and is estimated to occur in only 1 out of every 300 people who use clobetasol. Clobetasol is a potent topical steroid and is not a good option for hair and scalp conditions that are not associated with inflammation. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Is triamcinolone acetonide an antifungal cream?
- What are JAK inhibitors and how do they work?
- Does Rituxan cause hair loss?
- Does Dupixent cause hair loss?
- Which JAK inhibitors are approved in the U.S?
- How common is hair loss with Ibrance?
- Does Xolair cause hair loss?
- Does Qulipta (atogepant) cause hair loss?
- What medications can cause hair loss?
- Does Xeljanz cause hair loss?
- Can Aimovig cause hair loss (alopecia)?
- How effective is Olumiant for Alopecia Areata (hair loss)?
- Does Cimzia cause hair loss?
- How effective is Litfulo for hair loss (alopecia)?
- Does Biktarvy cause hair loss?
- Does Mavyret make your hair fall out?
- Does Mavenclad cause hair loss?
- Does atezolizumab (Tecentriq) cause hair loss?
- Does Triumeq cause hair loss?
- Does Genvoya cause hair loss?
- Does Nerlynx cause hair loss?
- Does Benlysta cause hair loss?