Truqap (capivasertib) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat a certain type of breast cancer in adults. Truqap comes as an oral tablet. It’s a brand-name drug, and a generic version isn’t currently available.

Truqap is used along with fulvestrant (Faslodex) in adults to treat breast cancer that meets all of the following criteria:

  • hormone receptor (HR)-positive
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative
  • locally advanced or metastatic
  • has an atypical PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN gene
  • has worsened or returned within 12 months after completing treatment with at least one endocrine-based drug

Note: “Locally advanced” means the cancer has spread from the breast to nearby tissues. “Metastatic” means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Your doctor may also prescribe a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist drug with Truqap and fulvestrant, depending on certain factors. For example, if you’re male* or you’re a female* going through menopause or have not begun menopause, you’ll likely also be prescribed an LHRH agonist. Goserelin (Zoladex) is an example of an LHRH agonist.

Before prescribing Truqap, your doctor will order tests to check whether your cancer can be treated using this drug. For example, they’ll order a test to check for an atypical PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN gene in the cancer cells.

Truqap works to treat breast cancer by blocking the AKT enzyme. This enzyme becomes active in tumors due to unusual genes such as PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN. Blocking this enzyme stops the cancer from growing and spreading.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Like most drugs, Truqap may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects this drug may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Truqap. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Truqap can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Truqap’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Truqap that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Truqap can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Truqap, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Truqap that have been reported include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Truqap.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Truqap. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Truqap that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Truqap is available as an oral tablet in two strengths: 160 milligrams (mg) and 200 mg.

Recommended dosage for breast cancer

The recommended Truqap dosage is 400 mg, taken twice daily (separated by about 12 hours) for 4 days. Then, you won’t take any doses for the next 3 days. You’ll continue this cycle throughout your Truqap treatment.

Questions about taking Truqap

Below are some common questions about taking Truqap.

  • Can Truqap be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not chew, crush, or split Truqap tablets. You should swallow them whole. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, check out this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
  • Should I take Truqap with food? Truqap can be taken with or without food.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Truqap? Truqap can be taken at any time of day, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps the drug work effectively. You should separate your Truqap doses by about 12 hours.
  • What if I miss a dose of Truqap? If you miss a dose of Truqap, take it as soon as you remember if it’s been less than 4 hours since the dose was due. But if it’s been more than 4 hours since you should’ve taken the dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to use Truqap long term? Truqap is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it until your cancer worsens or you develop bothersome side effects.

Overdose

Do not take more Truqap than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Truqap

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Truqap. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below is important information you should consider before using Truqap.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Truqap can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Truqap, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Truqap. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Truqap. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug group or drug nameDrug examples
certain antifungal drugs• ketoconazole
• itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
certain antibiotic drugs• clarithromycin
• rifampin (Rimactane)
certain calcium channel blocker drugs• diltiazem (Cardizem, others)
• verapamil (Verelan, others)
ritonavir (Norvir) and cobicistat (Tybost), and combination drugs that contain them• nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid)
• cobicistat/elvitegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Genvoya)
certain seizure drugs• carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
certain antiretrovirals• etravirine (Intelence)
• efavirenz
certain other cancer treatments• imatinib (Gleevec)
• crizotinib (Xalkori)

Truqap and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Truqap.However, consuming large amounts of alcohol may cause some of the same side effects as Truqap, such as stomatitis (sores or inflammation in the mouth). So combining alcohol with Truqap may raise your risk of certain side effects.

Your doctor may also suggest avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption if you have breast cancer. If you have questions about drinking alcohol with your condition or treatment plan, talk with your doctor.

Other interactions

Truqap can interact with other substances, such as:

  • Vitamins or supplements: Truqap interacts with St. John’s wort, which is an herbal supplement used to ease symptoms of depression and other conditions. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid taking this supplement during your Truqap treatment.
  • Foods: Truqap interacts with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. You should not consume grapefruit products during your Truqap treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Truqap is not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you doubt that you are pregnant, your doctor will order a pregnancy test to make sure it’s negative before prescribing Truqap.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Truqap treatment.

Birth control

It’s recommended that females* who can become pregnant use birth control during treatment with Truqap and for at least 1 month after their last dose. Males* with partners who can become pregnant should also use birth control during treatment and for at least 4 months after their last dose.

*In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Warnings

Truqap can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Truqap is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Truqap. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Truqap.

Does Truqap cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Examples of long-term side effects reported in Truqap’s studies include:

  • low levels of certain blood cells, which may last throughout treatment and for some time after stopping treatment
  • kidney-related side effects (including kidney failure), which can cause long-term complications even after you stop taking Truqap

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Truqap and how long they may last.

Will Truqap cure my breast cancer?

No, Truqap does not cure breast cancer. There’s currently no cure for this condition. However, Truqap works to manage the symptoms of breast cancer and stops it from growing and spreading.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Truqap treatment, talk with your doctor.

How does Truqap compare with Arimidex?

Both Truqap and anastrozole (Arimidex) are oral tablets used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adults.

One difference is that Truqap is approved to treat certain types of breast cancer in both females* and males.* Arimidex, on the other hand, is only approved to treat a certain type of breast cancer in females who have gone through menopause.

Another difference is that Truqap and Arimidex belong to different groups of drugs. Arimidex belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Truqap is a type of targeted therapy called a kinase inhibitor.

If you have other questions about how Truqap and Arimidex compare, talk with your doctor. They can help you find the best treatment for you.

* In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

the Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Truqap. What you’ll pay for Truqap may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called AstraZeneca Access 360 may also be available.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Truqap, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

Currently, there aren’t other drugs that work exactly like Truqap. But other drugs that are used to treat breast cancer include:

If you have questions about taking Truqap, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • Can you decrease my dose of Truqap if I develop side effects from the drug?
  • How should I manage side effects from Truqap?
  • If I can’t afford Truqap, what other treatment options are available?
  • Do any of my current medications interact with Truqap?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.