sorafenib tosilate at a glance
Medicine class
Multikinase inhibitor and targeted anticancer treatment
Licensed uses
Hepatocellular carcinoma, selected advanced renal cell carcinoma and radioactive-iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Administration
Oral tablets taken without food or with a low- or moderate-fat meal
Key monitoring
Includes blood pressure, skin toxicity, blood tests and treatment response
What is sorafenib tosilate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Advanced renal cell carcinoma after specified previous cytokine treatment has failed, or when that treatment is unsuitable.
Progressive, locally advanced or metastatic differentiated papillary, follicular or Hürthle-cell thyroid carcinoma that is refractory to radioactive iodine.
How does sorafenib tosilate work?
Sorafenib inhibits several kinases, including RAF signalling within tumour cells and VEGF and PDGF receptors involved in tumour blood vessels. This can slow cancer-cell proliferation and reduce the formation of blood vessels supporting tumour growth.
sorafenib tosilate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg
How to take sorafenib tosilate
Follow the instructions supplied by the specialist cancer team.
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
Take without food or with a low- or moderate-fat meal.
If having a high-fat meal, take the tablets at least one hour before or two hours afterwards.
Do not change or stop treatment without advice from the cancer team; troublesome toxicity may require specialist-led interruption or adjustment.
sorafenib tosilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or constipation
- Tiredness, weakness, pain or fever
- Painful, red or peeling palms and soles
- Rash, itching, dry skin or hair loss
- High blood pressure
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Infections or bleeding
- Joint pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Heavy or unexplained bleeding
- Chest pain or other possible cardiac-ischaemia symptoms
- Sudden severe abdominal pain suggesting gastrointestinal perforation
- Severe hypertension or neurological symptoms such as seizures, confusion or visual loss
- Severe allergic reaction or blistering and peeling skin
- New or worsening breathing difficulty
- Jaundice or other possible liver-injury symptoms
- Symptoms suggesting tumour lysis syndrome, including marked weakness, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, seizures or reduced/cloudy urine
sorafenib tosilate in pregnancy
Sorafenib may harm a developing baby and should not be used during pregnancy unless a specialist considers it clearly necessary. Effective contraception is required during treatment; contact the cancer team promptly if pregnancy occurs or is planned.
sorafenib tosilate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding must be avoided during sorafenib treatment because harm to infant growth and development cannot be excluded.
sorafenib tosilate interactions
The cancer team should review prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products before treatment.
Rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, dexamethasone or St John’s wort
These enzyme inducers may lower sorafenib exposure and reduce its effect.
Warfarin or phenprocoumon
Bleeding or INR changes may occur, so anticoagulation and clinical bleeding require close monitoring.
Neomycin and some other antibiotics affecting gut bacteria
They may reduce sorafenib absorption or exposure.
Common questions about sorafenib tosilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is sorafenib tosilate chemotherapy or targeted therapy?
It is a targeted multikinase inhibitor rather than a conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy medicine.
Why should sorafenib tosilate not be taken with a high-fat meal?
A high-fat meal can reduce sorafenib absorption, so the tablets need to be separated from it as directed.
Can sorafenib tosilate cause painful hands and feet?
Yes. Hand–foot skin reaction can cause redness, tenderness, swelling or peeling; report symptoms early before they interfere with walking or using the hands.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.