Bevacizumab (Avastin)
Avastin disrupts cancers’ ability to form new blood vessels. Fewer than half of women treated with Avastin experience hypertension, headache, fatigue or weakness, diarrhea, nausea, belly pain or anemia.
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
A platinum chemotherapy drug that is often used to treat advanced ovarian cancer. Carboplatin damages DNA to kill cancer cells. More than half of women treated with carboplatin experience nausea, vomiting, anemia or reduced levels of neutrophils, platelets or white blood cells.
Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
This chemotherapy drug prevents cell division. More than half of women treated with Gemzar experience vomiting, reduced neutrophils or anemia. Fewer than half experience fever or rash.
Liposomal Doxorubicin (Doxil)
Doxil inhibits DNA synthesis and RNA transcription. More than half of women treated with Doxil experience hand-foot syndrome (peeling skin, numbness and swelling). Fewer than half experience mouth sores, fatigue and weakness, vomiting, anemia or reduced neutrophils or white blood cells.
Niraparib (Zejula)
Zejula is also a PARP inhibitor. More than half of women treated with Zejula experience fatigue and weakness, nausea, anemia or reduced platelets. Fewer than half experience abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting or reduced neutrophils.
Olaparib (Lynparza)
Lynparza blocks PARP, an enzyme that repairs DNA damage. In some cases, blocking PARP can generate enough damage to kill cancer cells. More than half of women treated with Lynparza experience fatigue and weakness or nausea. Fewer than half experience diarrhea, vomiting or anemia.
Rucaparib (Rubraca)
Rubraca is also a PARP inhibitor. More than half of women treated with Rubraca experience fatigue and weakness or nausea. Fewer than half experience taste changes, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting.
Taxol (Paclitaxel)
Taxol blocks cells division to destroy cancer cells. More than half of women treated with Taxol experience pain, hair loss, neuropathy, anemia or reduced neutrophils. Fewer than half experience fatigue and weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea or hypersensitivity.
Topotecan (Weekly)
Topotecan inhibits DNA synthesis and RNA transcription. More than half of women treated with Topotecan experience anemia or reduced white blood cells. Fewer than half experience reduced neutrophils or platelets or fatigue and weakness.