As with other drugs, Nexavar (sorafenib) can cause side effects, such as weight loss and diarrhea. If side effects of Nexavar are difficult to manage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Nexavar (sorafenib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain types of liver, kidney, and thyroid cancers. The side effects you experience may vary depending on the cancer being treated.

If you have problems with side effects from Nexavar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Nexavar without consulting your doctor first.

Nexavar can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Nexavar in clinical trials:

For more information about diarrhea and infection, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Nexavar use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Nexavar’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Nexavar include:

  • weight loss
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • decreased appetite
  • nausea
  • hand-foot skin reaction
  • skin rash
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • hair loss
  • itchy skin
  • dry skin
  • diarrhea
  • infection
  • high blood pressure

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Nexavar and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

For more information about diarrhea, infection, and high blood pressure, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Nexavar may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Nexavar’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Nexavar, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • gastrointestinal perforation, which may include symptoms such as:
    • severe abdominal pain
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • fever
  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • abdominal pain
    • decreased appetite
    • jaundice
  • heart problems, including heart attack and heart failure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • dizziness
    • chest pain
    • difficulty breathing
    • swelling in the lower legs
  • QT prolongation, which may include symptoms such as:
  • severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which may include symptoms such as:
  • hemorrhage, which may include symptoms such as:
    • pink or brown urine
    • heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding
    • red or black, or tarry stools
    • vomiting or coughing up blood
    • bruising easily
  • underactive thyroid gland in people with thyroid cancer, which may include symptoms such as:
    • muscle weakness
    • tiredness
    • feeling cold
    • constipation
  • very high blood pressure (for more details, see the “Managing side effects” section)
Allergic reaction

For some people, Nexavar can cause an allergic reaction. This was uncommon in clinical trials of the drug.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Nexavar, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

While taking Nexavar, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in studies of Nexavar. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

Infection

Infection was a common side effect reported in studies of Nexavar. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • staying up to date on your vaccinations
  • practicing healthy hygiene habits, such as washing your hands often
  • talking with your doctor to discuss whether you need treatment for your infection

High blood pressure

High blood pressure was a common side effect reported in studies of Nexavar. Below are ways you can manage symptoms associated with this side effect:

Your doctor may stop Nexavar treatment if your high blood pressure continues or becomes very high even after treatment with high blood pressure medications.

Before taking Nexavar, discuss your health history with your doctor. Nexavar may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • bleeding
  • heart problems
  • unusual blood levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium
  • high blood pressure
  • surgery
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • fertility
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.