Uses of Sorafenib

Sorafenib is used to treat liver carcinoma (tumour) and kidney tumour (advanced renal cell carcinoma) at an advanced stage when standard therapy has not helped to stop the disease or considered unsuitable. It is also used to treat differentiated thyroid tumour that is not responding to radioactive iodine treatment.  

Therapeutic Category

Sorafenib: Anti-cancer agents (multikinase inhibitor)

How Sorafenib works

Sorafenib works by blocking tumour cell growth. It targets several enzymes on the surface of cancer cells and also targets within the cell. Several of these targets are thought to be involved in angiogenesis (making of blood vessels). Also, it works by slowing down the rate of growth of cancer cells and cutting off the blood supply that keeps cancer cells growing. 

Common side effects of Sorafenib

• nausea, vomiting
• constipation, diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• weakness or tiredness
• mouth pain, pain in bones and tumour pain
• hair loss (alopecia)
• headache
• itching or rash
• redness or painful palms and soles
• loss of appetite
• joint pain (arthralgia)
• fever
• weight loss
• indigestion
• difficulty swallowing
• inflamed or dry mouth
• tongue pain
• muscle pain
• tingling and numbness sensations in fingers and toes
• erection problems (impotence)
• change in voice
• acne
• inflamed, dry, scaly skin or shedding
• inflammation of hair follicles  
• change in sense of taste
• redness of the face and other areas of the skin (flushing)
• runny nose
• heartburn
• thickening of the skin
• muscle spasms
• ringing in the ear

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience severe allergic reactions (such as blisters, hives, skin swelling, face or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing, etc.)
• If you experience symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) such as nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, muscular cramps, seizure, clouding of urine and tiredness
• If you experience rashes and skin reactions especially on the hands and feet
• If you experience chest pain or heart problems such as heart attack
• If you experience perforation or holes in the stomach or the intestine
• If you experience severe bleeding which may also present as bloody vomit, brownish urine, red or black coloured stool, coughing up blood or blood clots, heavy menstrual bleeding, vaginal bleeding, bleeding from the nose etc.
• If you experience severe diarrhoea
• If you experience severe high blood pressure or liver injury

Health Tips for Sorafenib

• Eat a balanced and nutritious diet to support your overall health and provide essential nutrients to your body during treatment. Consult a registered dietitian if needed to ensure you are meeting your nutritional requirements. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated
• This medicine can be taken with or without food. However, certain foods, especially high-fat meals, may affect its absorption. If your doctor has specific recommendations regarding food intake, follow them accordingly
• Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Follow the recommended dosage and dosing schedule to ensure the medication's effectiveness in treating your condition
• This medicine can cause skin-related side effects such as dryness and rash. Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure, use sunscreen with high SPF and keep your skin moisturized
• If you smoke, consider quitting, as smoking can interfere with the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Additionally, limit or avoid alcohol consumption, as it may exacerbate certain side effects