sorafenib

Brand name(s):

Nexavar

What is the most important information I should know about sorafenib?

Sorafenib can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of hypertension. Your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis while you are using sorafenib.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as rash, blisters, oozing, or severe pain in the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder; feeling short of breath; or sudden numbness or weakness. Using sorafenib while you are pregnant can cause harm to the unborn baby. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Both men and women taking sorafenib should use an effective form of birth control while taking the medication and for at least 2 weeks after treatment ends.

What is sorafenib?

Sorafenib is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication. Sorafenib interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Sorafenib is used to treat a type of kidney cancer called advanced renal cell carcinoma. It is also used to treat liver cancer.

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

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking sorafenib?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sorafenib.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney or liver disease;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
high blood pressure (hypertension);
heart disease; or
a history of stroke or heart attack.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Both men and women taking sorafenib should use an effective form of birth control while taking the medication and for at least 2 weeks after treatment ends. It is not known whether sorafenib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take sorafenib?

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful side effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using sorafenib. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store sorafenib at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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