How does Nexavar work? Is it a chemo drug?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Feb 14, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Nexavar is an oral cancer drug that is thought to work by blocking certain proteins inside and on the surface of the cancer cell. It also helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels that help to “feed” the tumor’s growth. This may help kill the cancer cell and keep it from growing and spreading.

Nexavar (sorafenib) is used in adults to treat:

a type of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) that cannot be removed with surgery
a type of thyroid cancer called differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)
a type of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma or RCC)

It is classified as a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (multikinase inhibitor).

Nexavar was first approved by the FDA in 2005 and is manufactured by Bayer Healthcare. A generic product for Nexavar is now available, which may make this medicine more affordable.

Is Nexavar a chemotherapy drug?

Nexavar (sorafenib) is not a traditional chemotherapy drug but it is used to treat cancer. It is considered a targeted drug therapy and is given by mouth as an oral tablet.

Targeted drug therapies find and attack specific types of cancer cells. This may cause less damage to healthy cells, but serious side effects may still occur with targeted drug therapies.
Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly growing cancer cells, but also can affect normal cells without cancer growth.
Both types of treatments can be associated with serious and life-threatening side effects. Ask your healthcare team about the side effects you may expect with Nexavar treatment.

Nexavar is classified as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and VEGF inhibitor (angiogenesis inhibitor). It is approved by the FDA to treat liver cancer, thyroid cancer and kidney cancer.

Does Nexavar cause hair loss?

Like many drugs used to treat cancer, Nexavar has been reported to cause patchy hair loss (alopecia) or hair thinning in 14% to 67% of patients. Hair loss or hair thinning is one of the more common side effects with Nexavar. The highest rates of alopecia have occurred in thyroid cancer studies.

In liver cancer studies, hair loss (alopecia) was reported in 14%, or 14 out of every 100 patients, compared to 2% of patients taking a placebo pill (with no active ingredient).
In kidney cancer studies, hair loss occurred in 27% of patients, compared to 3% of patients taking a placebo pill.
In thyroid cancer studies, hair loss was reported in 67% of patients vs. 8% taking a placebo pill.

Alopecia, or hair thinning or loss, is a side effect that can occur with many different cancer treatments but is usually reversible when treatment stops. Some people may not have significant hair loss, while for others it may be more noticeable. Sometimes hair may grow back a different texture (more curly) or slightly changed color.

Hair loss can be a distressing side effect for many patients, but there are ways to minimize this.

If you have long hair and find your hair loss is bothersome, clogging up your drains, or causing social or work issues, consider a shorter hair style. You might consider a shorter hair style before treatment even starts.
You might also want to consider using a scarf, hat or wig if you find that your hair loss is noticeable and you'd like to try one of these options. Todays's wigs are much more acceptable and realistic looking.
Your insurance may help pay for a wig while you have temporary hair loss. Speak to your treatment coordinator about this option.

Related: Common Side Effects and Warnings with Nexavar (in more detail)

Always consult with your doctor and cancer-care team about any medication side effects during your cancer treatment.

This is not all the information you need to know about Nexavar (sorafenib) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

What type of cancer is Tecentriq used to treat?

Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), heptatocellular (liver) carcinoma (HCC), melanoma (skin cancer), and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare soft tissue tumor. Continue reading

How long does it take for Keytruda to work?

The time it takes for Keytruda to work can vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Typically, a response to treatment becomes apparent within 2-4 months of starting Keytruda. This timeframe is referred to as "time to response," which measures when a patient's cancer begins to show signs of responding to the treatment. You can find the specific "time to response" data from clinical trials in the table below. Continue reading

Pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: How do they compare?

Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are both prescription medications used to treat various types of cancers, including solid tumors and blood cancers. They may be used alone or in combination with other medicines for cancers that are more advanced, have spread in the body, or are no longer responding to previous treatments. Continue reading

How does Nexavar work? Is it a chemo drug?

Is Nexavar a chemotherapy drug?

Does Nexavar cause hair loss?

Related questions

Read next

What type of cancer is Tecentriq used to treat?

How long does it take for Keytruda to work?

Pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: How do they compare?

See also:

Aimovig

Nurtec ODT

Botox

Depakote

Topamax

Emgality

Timolol

Valproic acid

Divalproex sodium

Topiramate

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups