Medical Oncologist
Olaparib (Lynparza)
Taking Olaparib: — Food, Timing and What to Do If You Miss a Dose
Olaparib works best when you take it consistently, at the same times each day. This page tells you how to fit it into your routine, what to avoid, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed August 2026
- Twice a day, twelve hours apart — Spacing your doses evenly keeps olaparib working consistently throughout the day.
- Food is your choice — Take it with or without food — if nausea is a problem, a light snack alongside the tablet often helps.
- Swallow the tablet whole — Do not crush, chew or dissolve olaparib. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- Skip — never double — a missed dose — If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next one at the usual time. Never take two at once.
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Take olaparib twice a day, roughly twelve hours apart, with or without food. Swallow each tablet whole — do not crush or chew it. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next one at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.
How do you take olaparib each day?
Check your prescription first
Your oncologist will have specified the exact dose and how many tablets to take each time. Read the label before your first dose. Ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
Pick two times roughly twelve hours apart
Choose two fixed times that fit your daily routine — for example, with breakfast and with dinner. Use the same times every day. Consistency matters more than the exact hour.
Take with or without food
You do not need to eat before taking olaparib. If nausea is a problem, taking it alongside a light meal or snack often helps settle your stomach.
Swallow the tablet whole with water
Do not crush, chew, split or dissolve the tablet. Swallow it whole with a full glass of water.
Set a daily reminder
A phone alarm or weekly pill organiser is one of the most reliable ways to stay on schedule. Set it up on your first day.
What should you do if something goes wrong?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You missed a dose and your next dose is several hours away | Skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose at the usual time. |
| You missed a dose and your next dose is due soon | Skip the missed dose entirely. Do not take two doses to catch up. |
| You vomited shortly after taking your dose | Do not take another tablet on your own. Contact your pharmacy or oncology team for advice. |
| You are not sure whether you took today's dose | Do not take a second tablet to be safe. Resume your next scheduled dose as normal. |
| You have run out of tablets | Contact your oncology team or pharmacy immediately. Do not stop olaparib without telling your doctor. |
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Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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Dr. Mohammed Imran
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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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What should you avoid while taking olaparib?
Grapefruit and Seville oranges affect the way olaparib is processed in your body. Avoid them in all forms — fresh fruit, juice and marmalade — for as long as you are taking this medicine.
Tell your treating team about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take. This includes things bought without a prescription. Several common medicines interact with olaparib, and your team cannot check for those interactions without the full list.
St John's Wort, a herbal supplement sometimes taken for low mood, reduces the effectiveness of olaparib. If you are taking it, tell your oncologist today.
What if side effects make it hard to stay on schedule?
Nausea is one of the most common reasons people miss doses or want to stop olaparib. Taking it with food, staying well hydrated and asking your team about anti-nausea medicine are the first steps — not stopping.
If you are consistently missing doses because of how olaparib makes you feel, tell your oncologist. Dose adjustments are sometimes an option, and your team cannot offer that unless they know you are struggling.
Do not stop olaparib without speaking to your team first. Missing doses regularly — or stopping entirely — reduces how well it works, and that conversation should happen before you decide, not after.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I take olaparib with food?
Yes. Olaparib can be taken with or without food, and both are fine. If nausea is a problem, taking it alongside a light meal or snack can help settle your stomach. Many people find a consistent routine — always with breakfast and dinner, for example — also makes it easier to remember. The food choice is yours; the timing consistency is what matters most.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time. Do not take two tablets at once to make up for the one you missed — that raises the risk of side effects without adding benefit. If you find yourself missing doses regularly, tell your team. It may mean the schedule is not fitting your routine, or that a side effect is getting in the way, and both are things they can help with.
Can I drink alcohol while taking olaparib?
There is no blanket rule against alcohol with olaparib. The practical concern is that alcohol can worsen nausea and fatigue, which are among the most common olaparib side effects. For many people that is reason enough to limit it while on treatment. If you drink regularly, mention it to your team so they can give you advice specific to your situation.
Why do I have to avoid grapefruit?
Grapefruit and Seville oranges contain compounds that block an enzyme your body uses to process olaparib. When that enzyme is inhibited, olaparib can build up to higher levels than intended, which increases the risk of side effects. The advice applies to all forms — fresh fruit, juice and marmalade — not just one. Other citrus fruits such as regular oranges, lemons and limes are not a problem.
What happens if I stop taking olaparib?
Olaparib works by continuously blocking a repair pathway that some cancer cells depend on. Stopping removes that block. Do not stop without speaking to your oncologist first, even if you are feeling well or finding the side effects difficult. If side effects are the problem, your team may be able to adjust your dose or help manage them. If you need to stop for another medical reason, your team needs to know in advance so they can plan safely.