Nexavar (sorafenib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for liver cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer in adults. Nexavar comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. You’ll usually take Nexavar twice daily.
Nexavar is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions in certain people:
- hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) that can’t be surgically removed
- renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer)
- differentiated thyroid carcinoma that’s not treated by radioactive iodine
Nexavar belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. Nexavar is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Nexavar, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Nexavar, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Nexavar provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Nexavar, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The information below describes Nexavar’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.
Nexavar form
Nexavar comes as an oral tablet that’s taken by mouth.
Nexavar strength
Nexavar comes in one strength of 200 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for liver cancer
Doctors may prescribe Nexavar to treat a type of treat liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma that can’t be surgically removed.
If your doctor prescribes Nexavar for your liver cancer, your dose will likely be 400 mg. Typically, you’ll take this twice daily. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take Nexavar unless you experience serious side effects from the drug or your cancer worsens.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for kidney cancer
Nexavar is also approved to help treat a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma. In this case, the recommended dose of Nexavar is 400 mg. You’ll usually take this twice daily. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take Nexavar unless you experience serious side effects from the drug or your cancer worsens.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for thyroid cancer
Nexavar is also approved to help treat a type of thyroid cancer called differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). This medication is approved to treat DTC that has spread or come back after treatment. It can be used if your DTC has worsened or not improved after radioactive iodine treatment.
In this case, the recommended dose of Nexavar is 400 mg. You’ll usually take this twice daily.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Long-term treatment
Nexavar is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take Nexavar unless you experience serious side effects from the drug or your cancer worsens. If you and your doctor determine that Nexavar is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Nexavar, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Nexavar dosage your doctor prescribes may depend on the side effects you have from Nexavar.
Nexavar comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the tablet or place it in water.
You should take your dose of Nexavar twice daily without food. Be sure to take your dose at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
It may be helpful to take Nexavar around the same times each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Nexavar can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have questions about how to take Nexavar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Nexavar in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Nexavar, skip your missed dose of medication. Then, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Never take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Nexavar than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Nexavar can include:
- skin reactions, like a rash
- diarrhea
If you take more than the recommended amount of Nexavar
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Nexavar. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Nexavar.
Is the dosage of Nexavar similar to the dosage of Lenvima?
No, the forms and how often you take these drugs are different. Both of these drugs are approved to treat liver cancer, kidney cancer, or thyroid cancer in certain people. But Lenvima can also be used to treat endometrial cancer.
Nexavar is available as an oral tablet, whereas Lenvima comes as an oral capsule. Additionally, Nexavar is taken twice per day. But you’ll only need to take Lenvima once daily.
The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Nexavar to start working?
Nexavar starts to work after you take your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your cancer.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Nexavar treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Nexavar for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Nexavar without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Nexavar that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Nexavar. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Nexavar: For information about other aspects of Nexavar, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Nexavar, see the Nexavar prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about certain types of liver, kidney, and thyroid cancers, see our cancer hub.
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.