What is Sorafenib?
Sorafenib can be used to treat cancer of the liver or cancer of the thyroid. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Sorafenib.
Side effects of Sorafenib
If you experience symptoms of an allergic response (hives or difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat), a severe reaction to the skin (fever or a sore throat), or have rashes or blisters with a red or purple color, seek emergency medical attention.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention: chest discomfort, rapid heartbeats and sweating, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, swelling in your abdomen or lower legs, or feeling like your heart is failing.
Sorafenib can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fluttering or fast heartbeats
- Shortness of breath; sudden dizziness (like passing out);
- Easy bruising and bleeding (nosebleeds or bleeding gums)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Pain, redness, or swelling in your palms or soles
- Fever with nausea or vomiting
- A surgical incision that does not heal.
- Liver problems: loss of appetite; nausea; dark urine or stools; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
- Signs of internal bleeding include pink or brown urine or abnormal vaginal bleed, bloody or tarry stool, or vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit.
Should any adverse side effects arise during cancer treatment, its progress could be put off or discontinued altogether.
Sorafenib side effects may include:
- Bleeding;
- Feeling tired
- Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain;
- High blood pressure
- Rash;
- Weight loss. Thinner hair.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Keytruda, Armour Thyroid, Pembrolizumab, Avastin, Nivolumab, Bevacizumab, and Doxorubicin
Warnings
If you are receiving treatment with carboplatin or paclitaxel, you should avoid using sorafenib. Sorafenib may cause heart problems. If you experience chest pain, rapid heartbeats, or breathing problems, or if swelling occurs around the midsection or lower legs, seek emergency medical attention.
Sorafenib may also cause severe bleeding. If you experience severe stomach pain or bleeding, bloody mucus in your cough, blood in your urine, or bleeding that won't stop, call your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you are allergic to sorafenib or have squamous-cell lung cancer while being treated with carboplatin paclitaxel, you should avoid using it.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Heart problems, chest pain, or an attack
- Long-QT syndrome
- High blood pressure
- An electrolyte imbalance is a condition where there are abnormally high levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood.
- Bleeding problems
If either the mother or father uses sorafenib, it can cause birth defects or harm to the unborn child.
- Do not take sorafenib while pregnant if you're a woman. Before starting treatment, you may need a negative pregnancy result. Use birth control while taking this medication and for 6 months following your last dose.
- Use effective birth control if you're a man. This is true if the woman who is having sex with you is pregnant or able to become pregnant. Continue to use birth control at least three months after your last dose.
- Do not wait to tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using sorafenib.
Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after taking this medication.
How to take Sorafenib?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. Take sorafenib with an empty stomach at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after eating. Your blood pressure must be checked regularly.
Tell your surgeon or dentist that you use sorafenib before you have surgery. Stop taking the medicine 10 days prior to surgery. You should follow your doctor's instructions on when to take the medication again. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for renal cell carcinoma:
Take 400 mg twice per day.
Duration of treatment: Until the patient no longer benefits from the therapy or unacceptable toxicities occur.
Comments:
This drug should only be taken with an empty stomach at least one hour before food or two hours after.
Take the tablets with a glass full of water.
Uses:
Hepatocellular Cancer: For patients with HCC that is not resectable
Renal Cell Carcinoma: For patients with RCC that has advanced
Patients with locally recurrent, metastatic, or progressive DTC who are refractory to radioactive iodine treatment
Adult dose for thyroid cancer:
Take 400 mg twice per day.
Duration of treatment: Until the patient no longer benefits from the therapy or unacceptable toxicities occur.
Comments:
This drug should only be taken with an empty stomach at least one hour before food or two hours after.
The tablets should be taken with a glass full of water.
Uses:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): for patients with HCC that is not resectable
Renal Cell Carcinoma: For patients with RCC that have advanced
Patients with locally recurrent, metastatic, or progressive DTC who are resistant to radioactive iodine treatment
Adult dose for hepatocellular carcinoma:
Take 400 mg twice per day.
Duration of treatment: Until the patient no longer benefits from the therapy or unacceptable toxicities occur.
Comments:
This drug should only be taken with an empty stomach at least one hour before food or two hours after.
The tablets should be taken with a glass full of water.
Uses:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): for patients with HCC that is not resectable
Renal Cell Carcinoma: For patients with RCC that have advanced
Patients with locally recurrent, metastatic, or progressive DTC who are resistant to radioactive iodine treatment
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Taking certain drugs together can cause side effects and/or make other medications less effective.
Sorafenib can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you will begin or stop using.
