This is a summary of the most
important information about Nexavar. For details, talk to your
healthcare professional.
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:
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).