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Sorafenib Coupon - Sorafenib 200mg tablet

sorafenib

Generic Nexavar
Used for Renal Cancer, Liver Cancer
Used for Renal Cancer, Liver Cancer

Nexavar (sorafenib) is a targeted anticancer medication that’s used for several types of cancers like liver cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer. Nexavar (sorafenib) is taken by mouth twice a day. It can commonly cause side effects like rash, diarrhea, and tiredness. This medication can also cause rare, but serious side effects, like bleeding.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Sonja Jacobsen, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 23, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Nexavar (sorafenib)?

What is Nexavar (sorafenib) used for?

How Nexavar (sorafenib) works

Nexavar (sorafenib) is a targeted anticancer medication known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It targets and blocks multiple proteins in cancer cells called kinases that are involved in tumor growth and tumor blood supply. By blocking these proteins, Nexavar (sorafenib) stops tumor growth.

Are you looking for information on esomeprazole (Nexium) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNexavar
Drug ClassTyrosine kinase inhibitor
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Nexavar (sorafenib)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

The following side effects were reported in people taking the medication for kidney cancer. Side effects might differ for those with other types of cancers.
  • Diarrhea (43%)
  • Rash (40%)
  • Fatigue (37%)
  • Hand-foot skin reaction (30%)
  • Hair loss (27%)
  • Nausea (23%)
  • High blood pressure (17%)
  • Lower appetite (16%)
  • Vomiting (16%)
  • Bleeding (15%)

Other Side Effects

  • Itching
  • Dry skin
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Weight loss
  • Tingling in hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
  • Headache
  • Joint pain
  • Shortness of breath

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart problems: chest pounding, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, feeling faint or lightheaded, swelling in the legs
  • Serious bleeding: unusual bleeding, bleeding that’s difficult to stop, easy bruising, blood in urine or stool
  • Serious skin reactions: skin rash, redness, blistering, pain, swelling
  • Gut damage: fever, chills, intense stomach pain or cramps, bloating
  • Serious liver problems: right-sided stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, redness, or swelling of the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet

bloating of the abdomen or stomach

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

clay-colored stools

coughing up blood

dark urine

difficulty with breathing or swallowing

dizziness

headache

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

light-colored stools

nausea

nervousness

nosebleeds

paralysis

pounding in the ears

prolonged bleeding from cuts

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

slow or fast heartbeat

stomach pain

tightness in the chest

vomiting

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Bone pain

burning feeling in the chest or stomach

chest pain or discomfort

chills

clammy skin

confusion

constipation

cough

decreased urine production

depressed mood

difficulty with moving

dry skin and hair

enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)

fainting

feeling cold

fever

hair loss

hearing loss

hives, itching, skin rash

hoarseness or husky voice

increase in heart rate

increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

increased sweating, possibly with fever or cold

increased thirst

indigestion

joint pain or swelling

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

loss of the ability to use or understand speech or language

lower back or side pain

muscle cramps, pain, or stiffness

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

painful or difficult urination

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

rapid breathing

reddening of the skin, especially around the ears

ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears that continues

seizures

severe chest pain

severe headache

shivering

skin rash that is encrusted, scaly, and oozing

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stiff or sore neck

stomach discomfort or upset

sweating

swelling of the ankles or hands

swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose

swollen glands

trouble breathing with exertion

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

weight gain

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

diarrhea

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs

numbness, pain, tingling, or unusual sensations in palms of the hands or bottom of the feet

sensation of pins and needles

stabbing pain

thinning of the hair

weight loss

Less common

Acne

belching

burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas

cracked lips

cracks in the skin

decreased appetite

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

discouragement

dry mouth

feeling of warmth

feeling sad or empty

flushing or red skin

gas

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn

inability to have or keep an erection

irritability

lack or loss of strength

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

loss of heat from the body

loss of interest or pleasure

mouth pain

pus at the root of the hair

red face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

red, swollen skin

runny nose

scaly skin

sunken eyes

swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both men and women

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

tenderness in the stomach area

thirst

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

unusually warm skin

wrinkled skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Nexavar (sorafenib)

thumbs-up

Pros

More precise in the way it targets cancer cells, compared to traditional chemotherapy

Taken by mouth, so doesn’t require administration at an infusion center

Available as a lower-cost generic medication

thumbs-down

Cons

Need to take twice a day and shouldn’t take with food

Can cause severe rash and hand-foot skin reaction

Not a first-choice therapy for advanced kidney cancer

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Nexavar (sorafenib)

pharmacist

  • Take Nexavar (sorafenib) tablets on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Don’t crush, break, or chew it because doing so can cause you harm.

    • If you miss a dose of Nexavar (sorafenib), skip it and take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Don’t take two doses at the same time to make up for your missed dose because this can raise your risk of harm.

      • Check your blood pressure at least once a week while taking Nexavar (sorafenib). This medication can raise your blood pressure. If your blood pressure gets too high while taking Nexavar (sorafenib), your healthcare provider might prescribe blood pressure medications to help manage this problem.

        • Since Nexavar (sorafenib) commonly causes rash, keep your skin well hydrated by applying moisturizing creams regularly to your hands and feet. Protect the skin on your feet by avoiding too much friction and wear thick cotton socks or shoes with padded insoles. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you have any redness, blistering, or peeling of your skin.

          • Let your healthcare provider know if you’re planning to have surgery. You might need to stop Nexavar (sorafenib) several days before surgery. You also might need to wait until at least a couple weeks after surgery and until your surgical wounds are fully healed to restart the medication. This is because Nexavar (sorafenib) can slow wound healing and cause bleeding.

            • If you or your partner can have children, use effective birth control during treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib). After taking your last dose of medication, continue to use birth control for at least 3 months (for men with partners who can become pregnant) or for at least 6 months (for women who can get pregnant). Nexavar (sorafenib) can harm an unborn baby. If you think you or your partner has become pregnant while you’re taking this medication, tell your healthcare provider right away.

              • Ask your provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and throw away Nexavar (sorafenib) safely. Anticancer medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Nexavar (sorafenib)

                How do I prevent hand-foot skin reaction from happening while I’m taking Nexavar (sorafenib)?
                Hand-foot skin reaction is a reaction to Nexavar (sorafenib) that causes reddening, swelling, and peeling of the skin on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Sometimes, this medication can also cause the outer layer of your skin to thicken. You can help prevent hand-foot skin reaction by limiting exposure of your hands and feet to hot water, applying moisturizing creams, and avoiding excessive rubbing or exercise to the hands and feet. Exfoliating areas of thickened skin gently can also help. These preventative measures are important because hand-foot skin reaction can become painful and come along with tingling, numbness, and soreness of the hands and feet. Typically, these skin reactions happen during the first 6 weeks of starting treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib). If you experience a skin reaction while you’re taking Nexavar (sorafenib), let your provider know so they can recommend ways to manage the reaction.
                Is Nexavar (sorafenib) a type of chemotherapy?
                No. While Nexavar (sorafenib) is used to treat cancer, it’s not considered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a class of medication that kills cancer cells in your body. Nexavar (sorafenib) is a type of targeted therapy and works to slow cancer growth. It's a type of multikinase inhibitor, which means it blocks several different pathways that are involved in cancer cell growth and survival, leading to cancer cell death.
                How long do I need to take Nexavar (sorafenib)?
                Usually, you’ll continue to take Nexavar (sorafenib) as long as the medication is working well to treat your cancer. In addition to that, you’ll usually continue taking the medication as long as you aren’t experiencing too many side effects from it that you can't tolerate (for example, skin reactions, upset stomach, or fatigue). Don’t stop taking Nexavar (sorafenib) without first discussing with your provider.
                Does Nexavar (sorafenib) affect my ability to have children?
                It’s possible for men who take Nexavar (sorafenib) to have problems having children in the future. Talk with your provider if you have questions or concerns about how Nexavar (sorafenib) will affect your plans to have children and options for sperm banking.
                Is Nexavar (sorafenib) safe during pregnancy?
                No, animal studies show that Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause harm to the unborn baby when taken during pregnancy. To prevent potential harm, you should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Nexavar (sorafenib) and for 6 months after your last dose of medication. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib).
                Is Nexavar (sorafenib) safe if I’m breastfeeding?
                There isn’t much information about how Nexavar (sorafenib) might affect a nursing baby or your milk supply. But to avoid the potential risk for serious harm, it’s advised that you don’t breastfeed while taking Nexavar (sorafenib) and for 2 weeks after your last dose. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about breastfeeding while taking Nexavar (sorafenib).
                Can Nexavar (sorafenib) be used for other types of cancer?
                It’s possible. Nexavar (sorafenib) is approved for use to treat certain liver, kidney, and thyroid cancers. But the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines say that it can sometimes be considered for an uncommon cancer of the digestive tract called gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Nexavar (sorafenib) might be an option for people with GIST that’s advanced or that has spread (metastatic) who have already tried other medications like imatinib (Gleevec) and sunitinib (Sutent). Using Nexavar (sorafenib) for GIST is considered an off-label use of the medication. In general, it’s common for researchers to study whether anticancer medications like Nexavar (sorafenib) can be used off label for other cancers. Ask your provider if Nexavar (sorafenib) is a treatment option for your type of cancer.
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                warings-icon

                What are the risks and warnings for Nexavar (sorafenib)?

                Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Heart problems

                • Risk factors: History of prolonged QT interval | Taking other medications that cause QT prolongation

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause heart problems, like less blood flow to the heart, heart attack, and heart failure. It can also cause changes in the electrical activity of your heart known as QT prolongation, raising the risk for life-threatening irregular heartbeats. During treatment, your healthcare provider might check the levels of electrolytes in your blood and the electrical activity of your heart with an electrocardiogram (ECG). Let your provider know right away if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in lower legs or feet, racing or irregular heartbeat, feeling faint or lightheaded, or tiredness. If you develop heart problems while taking Nexavar (sorafenib), your provider may recommend you stop taking it.

                  risk-warning

                  Bleeding

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can raise the risk of serious and sometimes fatal bleeding. Bleeding can happen in any area of the body, including in the lungs, digestive tract, and less commonly, the brain. Tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have symptoms of unusual bleeding, like vomiting blood, blood in your urine, abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your stool, coughing up blood, frequent nosebleeds, or bruising easily. Your provider might recommend you to stop taking Nexavar (sorafenib) if you experience serious bleeding.

                  If you also take the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), you might experience changes in your INR (international normalized ratio) and put you at higher risk of bleeding. Your healthcare provider might recommend that you get your warfarin (Coumadin) blood checks more frequently.

                  risk-warning

                  High blood pressure

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can commonly cause high blood pressure. This change in blood pressure is usually mild, but can be more severe in some cases. It typically happens when you first start Nexavar (sorafenib). Because of this, you should check your blood pressure every week for the first 6 weeks of treatment and then regularly thereafter. If you develop high blood pressure while taking Nexavar (sorafenib), your healthcare provider might recommend that you take blood pressure medication(s). If your blood pressure gets severely high, you might be recommended to stop taking Nexavar (sorafenib).

                  risk-warning

                  Skin reactions

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause serious skin reactions, including serious rash and hand-foot skin reaction. Reactions can also happen in the mouth and look like blistering or peeling inside of your mouth. These skin and mouth reactions can become life-threatening. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience any skin rash or redness, pain, swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin on your body or inside your mouth, or blistering on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. Some skin reactions can be managed with topical treatments like hydrating lotions or urea-based creams. But if they become severe, your healthcare provider might recommend that you stop taking Nexavar (sorafenib).

                  risk-warning

                  Damage to the digestive tract

                  Though rare, some people who took Nexavar (sorafenib) have developed tears in their gut. Let your provider know if you have symptoms of gut damage, such as a fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, tenderness, or a lot of stomach pain or cramping (especially if it doesn’t go away).

                  risk-warning

                  Problems healing from surgery and wounds

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can make it more difficult for your wounds to heal. Let your provider know if you’re planning to have a surgery or procedure so they can adjust your treatment plan. You shouldn’t take Nexavar (sorafenib) at least 10 days before surgery. And you won’t be able to restart the medication until at least 2 weeks after the surgery and until your surgical wounds have properly healed.

                  In addition, if you get injured while you’re taking Nexavar (sorafenib) and your wounds are healing very slowly, let your provider know. Your provider might ask you to temporarily stop this medication until your injuries have healed.

                  risk-warning

                  Liver problems

                  Although rare, Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause liver damage, which can sometimes lead to liver failure and even death. Your healthcare provider will perform blood tests to check your liver function regularly during your treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib). Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience any symptoms of liver damage, like yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain on the right side of your stomach, dark urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, or severe nausea or vomiting.

                  risk-warning

                  Harm to an unborn baby

                  Based on animal studies, it’s possible that
                  Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause harm to an unborn baby when taken during pregnancy. If you can get pregnant, your provider will ask you to use birth control while you’re taking Nexavar (sorafenib) and for 6 months after your last dose. Men with female partners who can become pregnant should also use birth control while they’re taking Nexavar (sorafenib) and for 3 months after their last dose of medication. Let your provider know right away if you or your partner become pregnant during this time frame.

                  risk-warning

                  Change in thyroid hormone levels in people with thyroid cancer

                  If you have differentiated thyroid cancer, you can have changes in your thyroid hormone levels during treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib). Your healthcare provider will check your thyroid hormone levels through blood tests every month during treatment. If you’re also taking a thyroid medication, your healthcare provider might need to adjust its dose based on your lab results. This helps stabilize your thyroid hormone levels.

                  dosage

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) dosage forms

                  Typical dosing for Nexavar (sorafenib)

                  The typical dose is 400 mg by mouth twice daily without food.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Nexavar (sorafenib) and other drugs

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Nexavar (sorafenib). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                  How much does Nexavar (sorafenib) cost?

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                  contraindications-icon

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Nexavar (sorafenib) will not be safe for you to take.
                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Nexavar (sorafenib)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nexavar (sorafenib). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Nexavar (sorafenib)
                  Used for:
                  $2779.13 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Votrient (pazopanib)
                  Used for:

                  • Advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)

                  • Advanced soft tissue sarcoma, after previously receiving chemotherapy

                  View Prices
                  images

                  Nexavar (sorafenib) images

                  Peach Round 200 And Nat - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Peach, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Nat" And "200".Peach Round 200 And Nat - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  Pink Round Tv And S3 - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Pink, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Tv" And "S3".Pink Round Tv And S3 - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  Red Round F11 - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Red, Round Tablet Imprinted With "F11".Red Round F11 - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  Yellow Round I - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Yellow, Round Tablet Imprinted With "I".Yellow Round I - Sorafenib 200mg Tablet

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Al-Khatib, S. M., et al. (2003). What clinicians should know about the QT interval. Journal of the American Medical Association.

                  American Cancer Society. (2019). Chemotherapy safety.

                  American Cancer Society. (2019). How is chemotherapy used to treat cancer?

                  View All References (15)

                  American Cancer Society. (2019). What are gastrointestinal stromal tumors?

                  American Cancer Society. (2019). What is liver cancer?

                  American Cancer Society. (2019). What is thyroid cancer?

                  American Cancer Society. (2020). Preserving fertility in males with cancer.

                  American Cancer Society. (2020). What is kidney cancer?

                  American Cancer Society. (2023). What is lung cancer?

                  National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Differentiated thyroid cancer.

                  National Cancer Institute. (2022). Off-label drug use in cancer treatment.

                  National Cancer Institute. (2022). Targeted therapy to treat cancer.

                  National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2024). Kidney cancer.

                  OncologyPro. (n.d.). Background research.

                  OncologyPro. (n.d.). Reactive management.

                  OncologyPro. (n.d.). Skin changes - Hand-foot skin reaction.

                  Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2023). Sorafenib tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  von Mehren, M., et al. (2022). NCCN Guidelines® insights: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, version 2.2022. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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