Home All Therapies Nexavar

Nexavar

sorafenib
FDA Approved 2005 Bayer
1. Indications and Usage

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); Locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine treatment

2. Dosage and Administration

All indications: 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) orally twice daily without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating)
Dose reductions: 400 mg once daily, then 400 mg every other day
Hepatic impairment (mild-moderate): No adjustment needed
Hepatic impairment (severe, Child-Pugh C): Not studied, use with caution

3. Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablets: 200 mg

4. Contraindications

Known severe hypersensitivity to sorafenib or any component. Co-administration with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with squamous cell lung cancer.

5. Warnings and Precautions
  • Cardiac Ischemia/Infarction: Incidence of 2.9% vs 0.4% placebo. Consider temporary or permanent discontinuation.
  • Hemorrhage: Increased risk of bleeding. Monitor INR in patients on warfarin.
  • Hypertension: Monitor BP weekly during first 6 weeks and periodically thereafter.
  • Dermatologic Toxicities: Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) in up to 30%, rash in 40%. May require dose modification.
  • GI Perforation: Discontinue if GI perforation occurs.
  • QT Prolongation: Monitor electrolytes and ECGs in patients at risk.
  • Drug-Induced Hepatitis: Monitor LFTs regularly; increases in bilirubin and transaminases more common in HCC.
  • Impaired TSH Suppression in DTC: Monitor TSH levels monthly.
6. Adverse Reactions
Most Common Adverse Reactions

Diarrhea (43%), fatigue (37%), hand-foot skin reaction (30%), rash/desquamation (40%), alopecia (27%), nausea (23%), hypertension (17%), pruritus (14%), anorexia (16%)

Diarrhea
43%
Rash/Desquamation
40%
Fatigue
37%
Hand-Foot Skin Reaction
30%
Alopecia
27%
Nausea
23%
Hypertension
17%
Anorexia
16%
Pruritus
14%

Consult the complete prescribing information for a comprehensive list of adverse reactions and their frequencies.

7. Drug Interactions

Consult the complete prescribing information for drug interactions, including effects on CYP enzymes, transporters, and concomitant medications that may require dose adjustments or monitoring.

8. Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy

Consult the full prescribing information for pregnancy-related considerations.

Lactation

Refer to prescribing information for lactation guidance.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric safety and efficacy information is detailed in the full label.

Hepatic/Renal Impairment

Dose modifications for organ impairment are specified in the complete prescribing information.

12. Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action

Sorafenib is a kinase inhibitor that decreases tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting multiple intracellular (CRAF, BRAF, mutant BRAF) and cell surface kinases (KIT, FLT-3, RET, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, PDGFR-β). It inhibits tumor angiogenesis via VEGFR and PDGFR inhibition and direct anti-tumor activity via RAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibition.

Pharmacokinetics

Tmax: approximately 3 hours. Half-life: 25-48 hours. Bioavailability: 38-49% (reduced by high-fat meals). Protein binding: 99.5%. Metabolized by CYP3A4 and UGT1A9. Primarily excreted in feces (77%).

14. Clinical Studies

Clinical efficacy and safety data supporting the approval are available in the full prescribing information and from the clinical trials listed below.

Pivotal Clinical Trials
Additional Resources
FDA-Approved Tumor Types

Nexavar has FDA-approved indications across the following cancer types covered on PipelineEvidence:

External Resources
Important Notice: This page is intended as a navigational reference to the FDA-approved prescribing information for Nexavar. It does not replace the full prescribing information. Healthcare professionals should consult the complete package insert available at DailyMed before making prescribing decisions. Patient-specific factors should always guide clinical decision-making.