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joe_james2026-04-18

I've been on Talzenna for a few months now. It's a PARP inhibitor used to treat certain types of breast cancer. It works by blocking specific proteins in cancer cells called PARP, which are involved in repairing damaged DNA. By blocking these proteins, Talzenna makes it harder for cancer cells to repair themselves, leading to their death, especially in cancers with certain genetic mutations like BRCA.

I wanted to start a discussion. What side effects have you experienced? The rare side effects include signs of an allergic reaction, signs of infection, signs of bleeding, signs of low calcium levels, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or thinking, blurred vision, weight loss and shortness of breath. Other possible side effects include hair loss, headache, mouth irritation or mouth sores, changes in taste, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and decreased appetite.

Has anyone experienced any of these side effects? How have you managed them? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this medication.

1 min read
last active 1d ago
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Comments (7)

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christian_cox4d ago

I've been on Talzenna for about six months now, and while it's been tough, I think it's working. I had some hair loss and headaches but it's nothing I couldn't handle. I was a little worried about the severe side effects but thankfully I haven't experienced any. Fingers crossed

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richard_wagner4d ago

Make sure to keep an eye on your skin. I was shocked to learn I can't get any sun exposure! Be prepared for some dark skin changes

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joan_kennedy4d ago

Don’t forget to watch out for signs of infection. My immune system has been a bit all over the place since starting Talzenna. If anything it's been overactive. Could be that my body's fighting the cancer

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dennis_jordan4d ago

Cancer treatment is a journey. I just started Talzenna and I’m a little nervous about the side effects, especially the more serious ones. How did you guys handle the anxiety around these side effects? Any recommendations for coping?

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joan_kim4d ago

I can’t take this pill! The smell is disgusting. I can't figure out why. I've been spitting it into a bucket and it is putrid! I've heard that the fillers are what cause the smell. So we are coming to terms with throwing the pills away

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kathleen_gray4d ago

I've been on Talzenna for a few months and didn't experience much except hair loss. The rest of the side effects were manageable. I've been eating healthier foods and I've been getting plenty of sleep

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kimberly_guzman4d ago

I was really struggling with the fatigue and nausea at first, but my doctor recommended taking the pills with food and staying hydrated. It made a big difference! Also avoid dairy