Sorafenib: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Sorafenib is a kinase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and thyroid neoplasms. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Kinase Inhibitor
- Treats
- Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Thyroid Neoplasms
- Available as
- Tablet
- Sold as
- 2 products — Nexavar and Sorafenib Tosylate
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
How sorafenib is dosed
From the FDA label for Nexavar (application NDA021923). Other sorafenib products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
The recommended dosage is 400 mg orally twice daily without food. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of NEXAVAR is 400 mg orally twice daily without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) until the patient is no longer clinically benefiting from therapy or until unacceptable toxicity. 2.2 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Recommended Dosage Modifications The recommended dosage modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Table 1: Recommended Dose Reductions for Adverse Reactions Dose Reduction Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma First Dose Reduction 400 mg orally once daily 400 mg orally in the morning and 200 mg orally in the evening about 12 hours apart OR 200 mg orally in the morning and 400 mg orally in the evening about 12 hours apart Second Dose Reduction 200 mg orally once daily OR 400 every other day 200 mg orally twice daily Third Dose Reduction None 200 mg orally once daily Table 2: Recommended Dosage Modifications of NEXAVAR for Adverse Reactions Adverse Reaction Severity 1 NEXAVAR Dosage Modification Cardiovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Cardiac Ischemia and/or Infarction Grade 2 and above Permanently discontinue. Congestive Heart Failure Grade 3 Interrupt 2 until Grade 1 or less, resume at reduced dose by 1 dose level. 3 Grade…
Sorafenib side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Cardiovascular events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Dermatologic toxicities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Gastrointestinal perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • QT interval prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] • Drug-induced liver injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] • Impairment of TSH suppression in DTC [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )] The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are diarrhea, fatigue, infection, alopecia, hand-foot skin reaction, rash, weight loss, decreased appetite, nausea, gastrointestinal and abdominal pains, hypertension, and hemorrhage. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-842-2937 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described reflect exposure to NEXAVAR in 955 patients who…
Who shouldn’t take sorafenib
NEXAVAR is contraindicated in patients with known severe hypersensitivity to sorafenib or any other component of NEXAVAR. • NEXAVAR in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is contraindicated in patients with squamous cell lung cancer [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] . • NEXAVAR is contraindicated in patients with known severe hypersensitivity to sorafenib or any other component of NEXAVAR. ( 4 ) • NEXAVAR in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is contraindicated in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. ( 4 )
Sorafenib drug interactions
Strong CYP3A Inducers: Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on NEXAVAR Strong CYP3A4 Inducers The concomitant use of NEXAVAR with rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer decreased the mean AUC of sorafenib, which may decrease the antitumor activity [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Avoid concomitant use of NEXAVAR with strong CYP3A4 inducers, when possible, because these drugs can decrease the systemic exposure to sorafenib. Neomycin The concomitant use of NEXAVAR with neomycin decreased the mean AUC of sorafenib, which may decrease the antitumor activity. Avoid concomitant use of NEXAVAR with neomycin. The effects of other antibiotics on the pharmacokinetics of sorafenib have not been studied [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 7.2 Concomitant Use of Warfarin The concomitant use of NEXAVAR and warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding or increased the INR. Monitor INR and for clinical bleeding episodes in patients taking warfarin while receiving NEXAVAR [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. 7.3 Drugs That Prolong the QT Interval NEXAVAR is associated with QTc interval prolongation. Avoid coadministration of NEXAVAR with medicinal products with a known potential to prolong QT/QTc interval [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] .
Every sorafenib product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | No data | — | View → |
What sorafenib pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200;NAT | 200 mg | orange | round | — |
How long sorafenib keeps
No sorafenib label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does sorafenib expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsRelated calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is sorafenib?
Sorafenib, a kinase inhibitor, is the tosylate salt of sorafenib.
What kind of drug is sorafenib?
The FDA classifies sorafenib as a kinase inhibitor. Kinase inhibitors block protein kinases, the enzymes that relay 'grow and divide' signals inside cells. By shutting down the overactive kinase signals that a tumor depends on, they help slow or stop cancer cells from multiplying. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take sorafenib with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run sorafenib against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is sorafenib sold under?
We track 2 sorafenib-containing products in the U.S.: Nexavar and Sorafenib Tosylate. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does sorafenib come in?
Across the brands we track, sorafenib is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic sorafenib?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic sorafenib product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Sorafenib: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/sorafenib
- MLA
- “Sorafenib: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/sorafenib.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for sorafenib on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.