Stivarga Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer, often caused from complications of cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and upper abdominal pain.

Treatment options vary (depending on the severity of the disease) and may include surgery, liver transplant, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, among others.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer manifests in tumors in the lining of the colon or rectum. Most tumors develop over time from benign polyps. Symptoms include fatigue, prolonged diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding, and blood in the stool.

Though it is not clear what causes colorectal cancer, age, inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and a family history of colorectal cancer are risk factors. Obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and low-fat, low-fiber diet also increase this risk.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors start in the digestive tract. Most commonly, the tumors form in the stomach or the small intestine. These tumors can grow slowly over time without symptoms. Eventually, patients start to experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors can be removed surgically or treated with targeted drug therapy.

Stivarga Active Ingredient

Generic Stivarga Alternative: Stivarga

Stivarga contains the active ingredient regorafenib which slows down or stops the growth of some cancer cells.

General Drug Information

What Is Stivarga and What Is It Used For

Stivarga is prescribed to patients with certain types of cancer: rectum, colon, liver, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Usage and Application

Before buying Stivarga online, patients should read the medication guide provided by their doctor or pharmacist.

Most Stivarga patients are prescribed one oral dose per day, taken with a low-fat meal. Patients are normally directed to take Stivarga for a course of 21 days and then take seven days of rest. This is one treatment cycle. The number of cycles is determined by the treating physician.

Stivarga tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets.

Dosage is based on a patient’s medical condition and response to treatment. Patients should not increase their dose or use the medication more often or for longer than prescribed. This will not lead to a faster recovery and increases the risk of serious side effects.

Patients should take Stivarga regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take the medication at the same time each day to prevent forgetting.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, unless directed otherwise by your doctor or pharmacist.

Stivarga may be absorbed through the skin and lungs. Pregnant women – or those who may be expecting – should not handle Stivarga or breathe dust from the capsules as the substance may harm a fetus.

Considerations Before Taking Stivarga

If you shop for Stivarga online, note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name regorafenib.

Before starting treatment, patients should alert their doctor if they are allergic to Stivarga. It is also vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially liver problems, high blood pressure, and heart problems (e.g. heart attack and chest pain). Bleeding problems (like bleeding of the stomach and/or intestines), major surgeries, and injuries should also be mentioned.

Patients about to undergo surgery should tell their doctor or dentist about all the prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements they are taking.

Patients should not have vaccinations without the consent of their doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines like the flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections.

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, patients should use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters. Avoid activities such as contact sports.

Older adults using Stivarga may be at greater risk for high blood pressure.

Stivarga may harm an unborn baby. Before starting treatment, female patients need to alert their doctor if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Both female and male Stivarga users should use reliable forms of birth control while being treated, and for the following two months after stopping treatment.

Stivarga can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and can harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant (or who may be pregnant) should not handle Stivarga or breathe the dust from the capsules.

It is not known whether Stivarga passes into breast milk. Due to possible risks, breastfeeding while using this medication (and for the two weeks after stopping treatment) is not recommended. Women should consult their doctor before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Stivarga should take it as soon as they remember, so long as it is on the same day. Those who remember on the following day should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Stivarga

Drug interactions may change the way Stivarga works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Stivarga increases the risk of bruising and bleeding and should not be taken with other drugs that have a similar effect. Examples include antiplatelet drugs like Plavix, blood thinners like Coumadin, and NSAIDs like Advil and Motrin.

Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with Stivarga. Patients advised to take low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke should continue to do so. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Certain medications can affect the removal of Stivarga from the body, affecting how it works. Examples include azole antifungals (e.g. Nizoral and Sporanox), rifamycin antibiotics (e.g. Mycobutin and Rifadin), and macrolide antibiotics (e.g. Biaxin). Hepatitis C medications boceprevir and telaprevir – as well as the antibiotic Ketek – have a similar effect.

Antidepressant Serzone and the herb St. John's wort also can affect Stivarga’s effect, as can HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. Norvir and Viracept) and some anticonvulsants like Dilantin.

Adverse Reactions

Patients using Stivarga may experience serious side effects. However, the patient’s doctor has prescribed the medication because the benefit of treatment is likely greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring is likely to decrease a patient’s risk of side effects.

Common side effects include diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, and pain and/or sores in the mouth and throat. Patients may also experience changes in taste, hair loss, voice changes, weight loss, and muscle stiffness. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if these effects persist or worsen.

Stivarga may sometimes cause palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, a skin reaction of the hands and feet. Symptoms include swelling, pain, redness, and peeling skin on the hands and feet. Some people may develop blisters, or experience feelings of tingling and/or burning in their extremities. Patients of Asian descent are at greater risk of developing this condition.

Symptoms may be worsened by heat or by applying pressure on a patient’s hands and feet. Patients should avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Avoid washing dishes with hot water, taking long hot baths, and any other activities that may lead to heat exposure.

Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Avoid leaning on your elbows, kneeling, and taking long walks, as this applies pressure on the elbows, knees, and soles of the feet. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes.

Some patients with palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia may need to take special medications to handle the reaction. Others may have to stop or delay treatment with Stivarga.

Stivarga may raise blood pressure. Patients should check their blood pressure levels regularly and inform their doctor if the results are high.

Serious side effects include slow wound healing and dehydration, which can manifest in extreme thirst, dizziness, and decreased urination. Some patients may experience signs of mineral imbalance: irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps and/or weakness, and mental/mood changes.

Patients should monitor for signs of infection like fever, chills, and persistent sore throat, and should also be aware of underactive thyroids symptoms such as weight gain, cold intolerance, unusual tiredness, and slow heartbeat.

Stivarga may cause serious bleeding. It is important to monitor for any signs of serious bleeding: easy bleeding and bruising, severe stomach pain, and vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds. Some patients may also experience black or tarry stools, unusual vaginal bleeding, pink or bloody urine, and coughing up blood.

It is important to seek immediate medical help in the event of very serious side effects like confusion, seizure, severe headache, and vision changes. Patients should be aware of heart attack symptoms: shortness of breath, unusual sweating, and pain in the chest, jaw and/or left arm.

Stivarga has been known to cause a common rash though it should not be a cause for concern. Patients may have difficulty telling this mild rash apart from a more serious rash that signifies a severe reaction. Patients should contact their doctor regardless.

Serious allergic reactions to Stivarga are rare yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms: rash, itching and swelling (throat/tongue), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

This is not a full list of possible side effects. Patients should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they experience any negative side effects not mentioned above.

How to Store Stivarga

Stivarga should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep the medicine in the original bottle, as the enclosed desiccant protects against moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Any unused tablets should be discarded seven weeks after opening the bottle. Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should never be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.