Sorafenib: View Uses, Side Effects and Medicines

Sorafenib

INFORMATION ABOUT SORAFENIB

Sorafenib Uses

Sorafenib is used in the treatment of liver cancer, kidney cancer and thyroid cancer.

How Sorafenib works

Sorafenib is an anti-cancer medication. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.

Common side effects of Sorafenib

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common

Fatigue, Nausea, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Hair loss, Weight loss, Anemia (low number of red blood cells), Infection, High blood pressure, Decreased appetite, Lymphopenia, Hand-foot syndrome, Hair follicle inflammation, Hemorrhage

CONTENT DETAILS

Last updated

28 Mar 2025 | 06:01 AM (UTC)

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Medicine brands for Sorafenib

Bayer Zydus Pharma Pvt Ltd

Neon Laboratories Ltd

1 variant(s)

Sorafav

₹2300 to ₹2300

Aureate Healthcare Pvt Ltd

1 variant(s)

Cadsonib

₹2168 to ₹3252

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd

2 variant(s)

Sorafecare

₹2970 to ₹2970

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

2 variant(s)

Expert advice for Sorafenib

Sorafenib is used in the treatment of liver, kidney, and thyroid cancer.
Take it without food, or with a low fat meal and a full glass of water.
Take it at the same time everyday to maintain consistent levels in your body.
Women who could get pregnant should use a reliable method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
Your doctor may regularly monitor your blood pressure while you are taking this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you get a skin rash, or any pain, swelling, and redness of your hands and feet while you are taking this medicine.
Do not change the dose or discontinue use without consulting your doctor.
Sorafenib is used for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
Take it with or without food, preferably at the same time each day.
Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for a month after you stop taking it.
Monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms of very high blood pressure such as severe headache, confusion, problems with your eyesight, nausea or vomiting.
It may cause serious bleeding problem. Inform your doctor if you get headaches, stomach pain or if you notice blood in your urine or stools.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions for Sorafenib

Q. How is Sorafenib administered?

Sorafenib is an oral medicine and you should take it exactly as per your doctor’s advice. It can be taken without food or with low to moderate fat meal. It should not be taken with high-fat meal which will make Sorafenib less effective. If you are taking high-fat meal, take Sorafenib 1 hour before or two hours after high-fat meal.

Q. For how long do I need to take Sorafenib?

If Sorafenib suits you well, then you should continue taking it for the duration suggested by the doctor. However, if you experience any side effect that bothers you, talk to your doctor immediately.

Q. Do I need to take a treatment along with Sorafenib for it to work?

Sorafenib is used as a monotherapy, that is, it is a medicine which is used alone rather than in combination with other treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Q. How do I know if I am responding to Sorafenib?

While receiving treatment with Sorafenib, your doctor will most likely recommend regular scans to monitor the size of the tumor. You may also need to get regular blood tests to see if the deranged liver or kidney functions have improved or not.

Q. What are the serious side effects that can occur while taking Sorafenib?

The possible serious side effects that may occur (not in everyone) include heart attack and heart failure, increased risk of bleeding, high blood pressure, skin problems and wound healing problems. Some other side effects which get highlighted when you go through various tests are decreased blood flow to the heart, swelling of the liver, an opening in the wall of stomach or intestines (perforation), changes in electrical activity of the heart (QT prolongation) and changes in thyroid hormone levels.

Q. Does Sorafenib affect blood sugar levels?

Yes, Sorafenib can cause a decrease in the blood sugar levels. In fact, the levels can decrease to the extent that the patient may faint. So, it is important that the patients having diabetes check their blood sugar levels regularly. Additionally, you should also consult the doctor if the dose of anti-diabetic medicines needs to be adjusted.

Q. I have developed redness and pain in my palms and soles ever since I started using Sorafenib. My skin is also coming off. Is this dangerous? What should I do?

It seems you have developed hand and foot skin reaction due to Sorafenib. Consult your doctor who will either interrupt your therapy for sometime or change your dose. He might also suggest some cream or lotion to treat the problem. If the problem is severe, consult a skin doctor.