Sorafenib Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Sorafenib

Generic name: sorafenib [ sor-a-FEN-ib ]
Brand name: NexAVAR
Dosage form: oral tablet (200 mg)
Drug classes: Multikinase inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 4, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is sorafenib?

Sorafenib is used to treat liver cancer, thyroid cancer, or kidney cancer.

Sorafenib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

You should not use sorafenib if you have squamous cell lung cancer and you are being treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Sorafenib can cause heart problems. Get emergency medical help if you have: chest pain, fast heartbeats, trouble breathing, or swelling around your midsection or in your lower legs.

Sorafenib can also cause severe bleeding. Call your doctor if you have blood in your urine or stools, abnormal vaginal bleeding, severe stomach pain, cough with bloody mucus, or any bleeding that will not stop.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use sorafenib if you are allergic to it, or if you have squamous cell lung cancer and you are being treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- heart problems, chest pain, or a heart attack;

- long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

- high blood pressure;

- an electrolyte imbalance (such as abnormal levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in your blood);

- bleeding problems; or

- surgery.

Sorafenib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using sorafenib.

- If you are a woman, do not use sorafenib if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

- If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is pregnant or is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

- Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using sorafenib.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

## Related/similar drugs

Keytruda, pembrolizumab, Armour Thyroid, Avastin, doxorubicin, nivolumab, NP Thyroid

## How should I take sorafenib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take sorafenib on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using sorafenib. You should stop taking this medicine at least 10 days before having surgery. Follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking the medicine again.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What should I avoid while taking sorafenib?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

## Sorafenib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a heart attack or heart failure: chest pain, fast heartbeats, sweating, nausea, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, or swelling around your midsection or in your lower legs.

Sorafenib may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;

- shortness of breath, sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

- easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

- heavy menstrual periods or unusual vaginal bleeding;

- pain, redness, swelling, rash, blisters or peeling in the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;

- fever with nausea, vomiting, or severe stomach pain

- a surgical incision or wound that will not heal;

- liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), nausea, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

- signs of bleeding inside your body--pink or brown urine, abnormal vaginal bleeding, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of sorafenib may include:

- bleeding;

- feeling tired;

- vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain;

- high blood pressure;

- rash; or

- weight loss, thinning hair.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sorafenib side effects (more detail)

## Sorafenib dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Renal Cell Carcinoma:

400 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy: Until the patient is no longer benefiting from therapy or until unacceptable toxicity occurs
Comments:
-This drug should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.
-The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
Uses:
-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): For patients with unresectable HCC
-Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): For patients with advanced RCC
-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC): For patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, DTC that is refractory to radioactive iodine treatment

Usual Adult Dose for Thyroid Cancer:

400 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy: Until the patient is no longer benefiting from therapy or until unacceptable toxicity occurs
Comments:
-This drug should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.
-The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
Uses:
-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): For patients with unresectable HCC
-Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): For patients with advanced RCC
-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC): For patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, DTC that is refractory to radioactive iodine treatment

Usual Adult Dose for Hepatocellular Carcinoma:

400 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy: Until the patient is no longer benefiting from therapy or until unacceptable toxicity occurs
Comments:
-This drug should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.
-The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
Uses:
-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): For patients with unresectable HCC
-Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): For patients with advanced RCC
-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC): For patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, DTC that is refractory to radioactive iodine treatment

Detailed Sorafenib dosage information

## What other drugs will affect sorafenib?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect sorafenib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Sorafenib drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

Lenvatinib vs sorafenib: for first line treatment in HCC?

In studies that compared lenvatinib with sorafenib as first-line treatment in patients with inoperable liver cancer, the primary endpoint, overall survival (OS), was found to be non-inferior (13.6 months with lenvatinib vs 12.3 months with sorafenib). Lenvatinib did not show an improvement in overall survival (how long patients lived) when statistically compared to sorafenib. Continue reading

## More about sorafenib

- Check interactions
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- Side effects
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- During pregnancy
- Drug class: multikinase inhibitors
- Breastfeeding
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### Patient resources

- Advanced Reading

#### Other brands

Nexavar

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Hepatic Tumor
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
- Thyroid Cancer

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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