As a targeted cancer medicine, sorafenib is also named Nexavar. The Sorafenib Nexavar is recommended to be used for:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Renal Cell Carcinoma
How you have sorafenib:
Sorafenib is a tablet you usually should be consumed twice a day, with a glass of water.
You need to take sorafenib dose either without food or along with a meal that mainly contains low amounts of fat. A kind of meal that has high fat may be responsible for making sorafenib work a little less well.
If you are going to take a high fat meal, consume the tablets at least 1 hour before or 2 hours afterward.
Mechanism of Action:
Sorafenib works in order to block the signals within the cancerous cells that help them grow as well as divide. Halting the signals causes them to destroy. It may also be involved in order to halt the formation of new blood vessels in cancerous cells. It involves in order to reduce the supply of oxygen as well as nutrients, making the tumor block growing. Medicines that are believed to interfere with the growth of blood vessels in this way are known as angiogenesis inhibitors.
Side effects and what needs to do about them:
The most common sorafenib side effects may include:
Diarrhea
Headache
Feeling sick (nausea)
Throwing up (vomiting)
Dry skin
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Feeling weak or tired
Abdominal pain
Joint pain and muscle pain
Hair loss
Painful palms or soles
Itching or rash
High blood pressure
Infection
Breathlessness
Inflamed or dry mouth
Tongue pain
Common side effects may include:
Flushing
Acne
Flu-like illness
Inflammation at the base of hairs
Fever
Indigestion
Heartburn
Difficulty swallowing
Voice changes
Underactive thyroid gland
Skin cancer
Change in the sense of taste
Runny nose
Low blood levels of sodium
Depression
Erection problems (impotence)
Hoarseness
Severe chest pain
Shortness of breath
Cold sweat
Kidney failure
What are the most crucial information I must know about sorafenib?
It is not recommended to use sorafenib 200 mg in case you have squamous cell lung cancer and you are on treatment with carboplatin as well as paclitaxel.
Sorafenib may be responsible for causing heart complications. Seek emergency medical assistance if you experience: fast heartbeats, chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in lower legs.
Sorafenib may also be responsible for causing severe bleeding. Talk to your healthcare practitioner if you notice blood in your urine or stools, severe stomach pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, cough with bloody mucus, or any bleeding that is persistent.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take sorafenib 200 mg with any of the following medicines:
Cisapride
Pimozide
Thioridazine
Dronedarone
Sorafenib may interact with certain following drugs:
Digoxin
Loperamide
Phenytoin
Quinidine
Rifampin
Rifabutin
St. John's Wort
Vinblastine
Carbamazepine
Dexamethasone
Phenobarbital
Other medicines that prolong the QT interval like dofetilide, ziprasidone
Can I consume Sorafenib if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication, and for at least 2 weeks after the last sorafenib dose.
What happens in case I overdose on Sorafenib?
In case you or someone else may have overdosed on nexavar 200 mg, call your healthcare practitioner or the Poison Control center.
What happens in case of missed dose?
In a missed dose event, consume sorafenib quickly as you remember if it is within 6 hours. In case it is more than 6 hours since you forget your dose, skip the forget dose and catch your usual prescribed dosing time.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug should be placed appropriately, out of the reach of children. Store it between 15°C-30°C (59°F- 86°F). Always protect sorafenib from moisture.
How much does Sorafenib cost?
The sorafenib price may vary from branded to generic (non-branded) drugs. The price for a bottle of Nexavar 200 mg containing 60 tablets is around 146037 INR.
NOTE: The information provided in this article is only for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.