What Is Nexavar?

Nexavar is an anticancer medicine to treat adults with kidney cancer called advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Nexavar has not been studied in children.

Who Should Not Take Nexavar?

You should not take Nexavar if you are allergic to anything in it.

What Are The Risks?

The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Nexavar therapy. However, this list is not complete.

The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Nexavar therapy:

• Birth defects or death of an unborn baby. Nexavar may cause birth defects or death of an unborn baby. Women should not get pregnant during treatment with Nexavar and for at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment. Men and women should use effective birth control during treatment with Nexavar and for at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Nexavar.
   
• A skin problem called hand-foot skin reaction. This causes redness, pain, swelling, or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. If you get this side effect, your doctor may adjust your dose or stop treatment for some time.
   
• High blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked weekly during the first 6 weeks of starting Nexavar. High blood pressure should be monitored and treated during treatment with Nexavar.
   
• Heart problems. Talk to your doctor about these potential problems.
   
• Bleeding problems. Nexavar may increase your chance of bleeding.
   
• Some common side effects that may occur with Nexavar include:
  • rash, redness or itching of your skin
  • hair thinning or patchy hair loss
  • diarrhea (frequent and/or loose bowel movements)
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • mouth sores
  • weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • numbness, tingling or pain in your hands and feet

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional?

Before you start taking Nexavar, tell your healthcare professional if you: 

• Have kidney problems in addition to kidney cancer
• have liver problems
• have high blood pressure
• have bleeding problems
• have heart problems or chest pain
• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Can Other Medicines Or Food Affect Nexavar?

Nexavar and certain other medicines can interact with each other. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.  Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare professional.

Especially tell your healthcare professional if you take:

• warfarin (Coumadin)

How Should I Take Nexavar?

• Take Nexavar exactly as prescribed. You will stay on Nexavar as long as your doctor thinks it is helping you.
• Swallow Nexavar tablets whole with water.
• Take Nexavar on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal).

Date Approved: 12/20/2005

Date Created: February 2, 2006