Sorafenib is a drug used to treat kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, or liver cancer that cannot be treated with surgery or surgery.
Sorafenib is an anticancer drug class kinase inhibitor 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 prescription and doctor's instructions.
sorafenib trademark: Nexavar
What is Sorafenib
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Protein kinase inhibitor class of anticancer drugs |
| 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 risks to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with life-threatening situations. Sorafenib is not known whether it can be 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:
- Tell your doctor about any 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 who are on treatment with these drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you have lung cancer. Sorafenib should not be given to patients suffering from this condition.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while on treatment with sorafenib.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had 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 undergo certain medical procedures, such as surgery or dental surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking sorafenib.
- Tell your doctor right away if you have an overdose, drug allergic reaction, or a more serious side effect after taking sorafenib.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Sorafenib
The doctor will determine the dose 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 medicine package and follow the doctor's advice when taking sorafenib. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Take sorafenib regularly at the same time every day. Sorafenib can be taken at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals or on an empty stomach. Swallow the medicine with the help of a glass of water. Swallow the medicine whole, do not chew or crush it.
If you forget to take sorafenib, take it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Make sure to do the control according to the schedule given by the doctor. While on treatment with sorafenib, you may be asked to have your blood pressure checked, complete blood count, or blood clotting factor indicators, such as INR, on a regular basis.
Store sorafenib in a dry, closed place, and away from 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 together with other drugs, namely:
- Decreased effectiveness of sorafenib when taken with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, dexamethasone, phenytoin, or rifampicin
- Increased risk of fatal side effects and 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 the risk of damaging muscle cells, blood cells, nerve cells, liver, or kidneys
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with edoxaban
- Increased effectiveness of the drugs doxorubicin or irinotecan
- Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances if used with amiodarone, dronedarone, ceritinib, pimozide, chloroquine, cisapride, citalopram, dolasetron, efavirenz, haloperidol, papaverine, or thioridazine
Side Effects and Dangers of Sorafenib
Some of the common side effects that can occur after using sorafenib are:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- dry mouth
- Unusual fatigue or severe weakness
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Tingling, numbness, pain in the hands or feet
- Dry to flaky skin
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized 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 characterized by bloody urination, bloody stools, or coughing up blood
- Easy bruising, nosebleeds, or heavy periods that don't stop
- Impaired liver function, which can be characterized by loss of appetite, stomach pain, skin or eyes that turn yellow (jaundice)
- Hard to breathe
- Feeling so dizzy that you want to pass out
