Sorafenib is used to treat cancer of the liver.
This medicine is also used to treat certain types of cancer of the thyroid gland that has spread to other parts of the body, progressed, and failed previous therapy with radioactive iodine.
Sorafenib may also be used to treat cancer of the kidneys for those who have failed previous therapy with another medicine for cancer.
Take Sorafenib exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Sorafenib must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Sorafenib therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Sorafenib therapy and for 6 months (in women) or 3 months (in men) after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
If you also have a certain type of lung cancer, do not take Sorafenib with certain medicines used for cancer, such as carboplatin and paclitaxel.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- high blood pressure
- heart problems
- history of aneurysm (weakness and bulging of the blood vessel wall)
- low magnesium, potassium or calcium levels in the blood
- excessive water loss from the body
- long-term kidney disease
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Sorafenib.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver or thyroid function, electrolyte levels, ECG [test used to record the electrical activity of the heart]) may be done while you are being treated with Sorafenib. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Sorafenib may cause any of the following side effects: headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dry mouth, loss of appetite, indigestion, muscle or joint pain, flushing, dry skin, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- dizziness, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
If you also have a certain type of lung cancer, do not take Sorafenib with certain medicines used for cancer, such as carboplatin and paclitaxel.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for cancer e.g. docetaxel, doxorubicin, irinotecan
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, phenprocoumon
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- medicines for irregular heartbeat
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- dexamethasone (an anti-inflammatory medicine)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sorafenib.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Sorafenib is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablets to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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