Stivarga User Reviews & Ratings

• Can...
• July 20, 2017

For Colorectal Cancer "I am writing this as a data point for those who may be considering this drug. My mother was recently put on this, and it was literally the worst drug she's ever taken in her 6-year journey battling cancer. I read the reviews and begged her not to take it, but she went through with it anyway. The drug caused her to be lethargic to the point where she could not move. She had a severe loss of appetite, she broke out in hives, she lost a significant amount of weight, and could barely walk or clothe herself. She literally could not function. She took it for two weeks, and by the end of it, she was so incoherent and weak that she collapsed inside of our home. And this was from taking 2 pills one week and 3 pills the next."

• Tse...
• March 19, 2022

For Colorectal Cancer "My husband took this med, 4 tabs for 3 weeks and 1 week off. Due to severe side effects, down to 3 tabs for 3 weeks and one week off. But now, due to severe side effects, extreme lethargy in bed for the last 3 weeks. He went to emergency twice due to bleeding, but not sure from where, waiting for endoscopy approval. Loss of appetite, lost so much weight. Does not look like the same person he was a month before. Please don't give this to your loved one for any reason. This is pure poison, which is so bad for cancer patients. I am so sad, 2022, and drug companies and doctors giving this poison to innocent and sick people. This is pure torture. Please don't give this to your loved one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Colorectal Cancer "My husband is going to begin his 3rd month of this med Stivarga on 8/29/20. Dosage is 4 pills a day/160 mg. He takes it on a cycle of 3 weeks on & 1 week off. His side effects have gotten progressively worse as the 3-week cycle progresses until the point of he can barely function due to lethargy, severe weight loss (he lost 8 lbs in a month) & loss of appetite. Currently, he is off medication for 1 week and each day his appetite & energy gets better. I dread 8/29/20 when I know his side effects are going to return. So far, we don't know if this drug is effective on his metastatic stage 4 colon cancer because his doctor hasn't ordered a CT scan yet. Written 8/26/20."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2023

For Colorectal Cancer "I started on Stivarga 11 months ago after having had a rare and serious reaction to oxaliplatin, and progression on irinotecan, panitumumab, 5-FU, and Avastin. During my first cycle, I started on 2 pills the first week, 3 the second, and 4 the third. Each of my following cycles, I took 4 tablets, or 160 mg daily x 21 days, then off x 7 days. Being an oral medication, it was easy to take. On my third and fourth cycles, I began having horrible diarrhea, sometimes more than 15 episodes in a day. I was admitted, labs and scans indicated a huge drop in my CEA. They also found that I had a bacterial infection in my colon. Once the infection was cleared up, I've had very few side effects, only occasional diarrhea. I had a PET scan and another colonoscopy last week. Both indicated progression now. I don't know where I would be if I hadn't taken Stivarga, or if I would even still be alive. I believe it at least slowed the growth of this darned cancer. I recommend it."

• Bvs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 7, 2017

For Colorectal Cancer "Have taken this medication for over a year. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) well within normal range. Slightly elevated bilirubin. Only side effects are mild to moderate hand-foot syndrome, some fatigue, and nosebleeds due to low platelets. It is important to note that I have never done IV chemo, so my results may be different from others."

• Ted...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "My brother was a father, a brother, a son, and a Marine. He was only 53. He was prescribed this drug after radiation and two other chemotherapy drugs had failed. He said the drug utterly robbed him of any energy and made him feel absolutely terrible. Three days after he began treatment, he suffered cardiac arrest while in bed. His wife called an ambulance, and they were able to revive him, then rush him to the ICU. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was sepsis due to a perforated bowel, which is generally considered unsurvivable. He died there four days later, surrounded by his mother, sister, brother, and son. We are heartbroken and horrified at his suffering and will grieve always that he is gone."

• Nom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2022

For Colorectal Cancer "In late March 2022, to make a long story short, my oncologist suggested I try Stivarga as another line of treatment. I have colon cancer, but it wasn’t debilitating until I started Stivarga. I was fully employed until May 2021 when I made the decision to stop working to give my health more attention as needed for cancer care. I exercised at least 5 out of 7 days a week, running, long walks, weights, etc. Well, my Stivarga was delivered by UPS in February 2022, and my oncologist prescribed it to start 2 pills a day week one, then 3 pills a day week two, and finally 4 pills a day from then on. Three weeks on and the fourth week off. I had extreme lethargy and zero appetite. I lost 30 lbs in 4 months. I would sleep for 8-10 hours at night, get up and have my low-fat breakfast so pills can be taken, and actually fall asleep with my cup of coffee in my hands. I’d lay down on the sofa and fall asleep again. The 3rd week of June 2022, I quit taking it and told my oncologist no more."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "My husband had liver failure within two weeks of taking this medication, watch your loved one carefully for liver failure signs and symptoms. The warning is serious. By the time we saw the MSK doctor for his two-week blood work, it was already too late, there was nothing they could do but send him home on hospice. On Christmas Eve, he died on January 21. He was a thriving 50-year-old who turned instantly. Unbelievably sad."

• gab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2022

For Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor "I have been on Stivarga for 3 years. It has stopped the growth of GIST, mild side effects. Take 120 mg every night at 11:00 p.m."

• Har...
• September 9, 2015

For Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor "Only side effects and no result."