Regorafenib (Stivarga)

The basics

Regorafenib (brand name- Stivarga) is an FDA-approved treatment for colon and rectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine or the rectum), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST; a type of tumor that grows in the stomach, intestine (bowel), or esophagus (tube that connects the throat with the stomach), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; a type of liver cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body. Regorafenib is also used to treat in people who were previously treated with sorafenib (Nexafar).

It is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors and works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

Let us walk you through the key things you need to know about regorafenib.

How should I take regorafenib (Stivarga)?

Regorafenib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a low-fat meal (containing under 600 calories and less than 30% of calories from fat) once a day. Take regorafenib at the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Take regorafenib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Continue to take regorafenib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking regorafenib without talking to your doctor. You can help them by tracking your side effects in Ankr.

What are the side effects of regorafenib (Stivarga)?

Common side effects

  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhea
  • swelling, pain, and redness of the lining of your mouth or throat
  • weight loss
  • hoarseness or other change in the sound of your voice
  • fever, cough, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
  • chills
  • dry mouth, muscle cramps, or decreased urination
  • redness, pain, blisters, bleeding, or swelling on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
  • rash

Serious side effects

Regorafenib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Use the free Ankr platform or Ankr app to track your symptoms.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking regorafenib (Stivarga)

  • tell your doctor about your allergies
  • tell your doctor about other intakes
  • tell your doctor if you have or ever had any disease, symptom or treatment
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you.

While you are on regorafenib (Stivarga)

  • if you or your partner become pregnant while taking regorafenib, call your doctor. Regorafenib may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with regorafenib and for up to 2 weeks after your final dose.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking regorafenib.

I forgot a dose. What should I do?

If you miss a dose of regorafenib, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it on that day. Do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed one.

In case of an emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

How should I safely store and dispose of Regorafenib (Stivarga)?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Do not place the tablets in other containers, such as daily or weekly pill boxes, and do not remove the desiccant (drying agent) from the container. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dispose of any unused tablets 7 weeks after the bottle is first opened.

You should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Brand names

  • Stivarga®

Last Revised – 06/22/2023, FDA updated- 05/24/2017, SG

Get 24×7 support for regorafenib (Stivarga)

Don’t go through your cancer journey alone. Use Ankr to:
(1) find the best treatment for your cancer, and
(2) get advanced warning to cut side effects by upto 52%

Sign up for a free 30-day trial now

Regorafenib may cause liver damage, which may be severe or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, extreme tiredness, unusual bleeding or bruising, lack of energy, loss of appetite, flu-like symptoms, or a change in sleep habits.

Keep all appointments with the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to be sure that it is safe for you to take regorafenib and to check your body’s response to the medication.

Did you like this content?

Tell us how we can improve this post?


DISCLAIMER: No part of this content constitutes medical advice, opinion, or should be used for medical decision making without consultation with a licenced medical practitioner and under a patient-provider relationship. All information on the website is provided without any claims of accuracy. For full terms and conditions, visit this link. Content curated by the Ankr team.

↑ Back to top