Sorafenib is a medicine to treat kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, or liver cancer which cannot be treated with surgery or surgical procedures.
Sorafenib is an anticancer drug belonging to the class of kinase inhibitors or protein kinase inhibitors. This drug works by inhibiting the performance of protein tyrosine kinase, so that the growth and spread of cancer cells can be stopped. This medicine should only be used with a doctor's prescription and instructions.
Sorafenib trademark: Nexavar
What is Sorafenib
| class | Prescription drug |
| Category | Anticancer drug class of protein kinase inhibitors |
| Benefit | Treating kidney cancer, liver cancer that cannot be treated with surgery, or thyroid cancer |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Sorafenib for pregnant and lactating women |
Category D: There is positive evidence of risk to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with a life-threatening situation.
It is not known whether Sorafenib is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Sorafenib
Sorafenib should not be taken carelessly. Before taking sorafenib, you need to pay attention to the following things:
- Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Sorafenib should not be used by patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking carboplatin or paclitaxel . Sorafenib should not be given to patients currently undergoing treatment with these drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you have lung cancer . Sorafenib should not be given to patients suffering from these conditions.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. Use contraception to prevent pregnancy while on treatment with sorafenib.
- Tell your doctor if you have or currently have heart disease , hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding, electrolyte imbalance , or heart rhythm disturbances , especially QT prolongation syndrome.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
- If you are planning to have certain medical procedures, such as surgery or dental surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking sorafenib.
- Immediately consult a doctor if you experience an overdose, drug allergic reaction , or more serious side effects after taking sorafenib.
Dosage and Rules for Use Sorafenib
The doctor will determine the dosage and duration of treatment with sorafenib according to the patient's condition. In general, the dose of sorafenib to treat kidney cancer, liver cancer that cannot be treated with surgery, or thyroid cancer is 400 mg, 2 times a day.
How to Take Sorafenib Correctly
Make sure you read the instructions on the drug packaging and follow your doctor 's advice when taking sorafenib. Do not increase or decrease your dose without consulting your doctor first.
Take sorafenib regularly at the same time every day. Sorafenib can be taken at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating or on an empty stomach. Swallow the medicine with the help of a glass of water. Swallow the medication whole, do not chew or crush it.
If you forget to take sorafenib, consume it immediately if the gap with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.
Make sure to carry out the control according to the schedule given by the doctor. While undergoing treatment with sorafenib, you may be asked to have your blood pressure, complete blood count , or blood clotting factor indicator checks, such as INR, routinely.
Store sorafenib in a dry, closed place, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Sorafenib Interactions with Other Drugs
There are several drug interaction effects that can occur when sorafenib is used concurrently with other drugs, namely:
- Decreased effectiveness of sorafenib when taken with carbamazepine , phenobarbital , dexamethasone , phenytoin or rifampicin
- Increased risk of fatal side effects to death when used with carboplatin
- Increased risk of a number of side effects, such as anemia, bleeding, infection, hypertension, chest pain, when used with paclitaxel
- Increased risk of agranulocytosis when used with clozapine
- Increased levels of colchicine so that it risks damaging muscle cells, blood cells, nerve cells, liver or kidneys
- Increased risk of bleeding when used with edoxaban
- Increased effectiveness of the drugs doxorubicin or irinotecan
- Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances when used with amiodarone , dronedarone , ceritinib , pimozide , chloroquine , cisapride , citalopram , dolasetron , efavirenz , haloperidol , papaverine , or thioridazine
Sorafenib Side Effects and Dangers
Some common side effects that can occur after using sorafenib are:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Hair loss
- Lost appetite
- Dry mouth
- Unusual tiredness or severe weakness
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Tingling , numbness, pain in hands or feet
- Dry skin to the point of peeling
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately go to the doctor if a drug allergic reaction appears which can be marked by the appearance of an itchy rash, swollen eyes and lips, or difficulty breathing.
In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Heart and blood vessel disorders, which can be characterized by chest pain , irregular heartbeat, fast heart rate , difficulty breathing, or swelling of the legs and feet
- Bleeding in internal organs, which can be marked by bloody urination, bloody bowel movements , or bloody coughing
- Easy bruising, nosebleeds , or heavy periods that don't stop
- Impaired liver function, which can be characterized by loss of appetite, abdominal pain, skin or eye parts that turn yellow ( jaundice )
- Hard to breathe
- Feeling so dizzy that I want to pass out