Stivarga: Uses, indications and precautions when using

This is an automatically translated article.

Regorafenib is used in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. It is also used to treat other diseases such as cancer. Typically, cancer of the liver and some organs of the digestive system. The main mechanism of action of the drug is believed to slow and stop the growth of cancer cells.

1. How to use Stivarga

Stivarga drugs are included with the instruction sheet when purchased. However, you need to consult with your doctor first. If you have questions, don't get used to asking your pharmacist or doctor about your medication. This will minimize the unwanted side effects of the drug.
The drug is indicated for use after meals. The patient will take 1 pill per day. The course of use usually lasts for 21 days. After finishing the course, the doctor will ask the patient to stop for 1 week. A complete treatment cycle goes like this. If you continue to use the drug, you need to consult and prescribe directly from your doctor.
One note when taking the drug is to take the whole pill. Breaking or crushing into powder is not recommended. For each different condition, the dosage will be adjusted. Therefore, do not arbitrarily adjust the dose or use the drug for too long.
Another note that we are prone to is the time to take the medicine. Usually you will forget and take your medicine at the wrong time. With Stivarga, doctors always recommend taking it at a fixed time every day. This will help the drug to achieve a higher effect.
When taking medicine, doctors will often warn patients not to use grapefruit or grapefruit juice. You can also actively ask if you are not warned to ensure your health safety. According to some analyzes grapefruit is one of the foods that affect the effect of drugs. At the same time, this food will increase the risk of side effects when taken with the drug.
Regorafenib is absorbed through the skin and lungs, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women or nursing mothers. If you are in this situation, stay away so as not to inhale the dust of the medicine. Small children when breathing in dust will also be affected, so it should be kept out of reach.

2. Some common side effects when taking stivarga

The side effects of the drug will be warned on the instructions for use and packaging. However, when prescribing, the doctor will also remind you to avoid not reading the instructions carefully.
When using the drug you may encounter some problems such as diarrhea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, hair loss, muscle stiffness, even weight loss. These are the initial side effects you should look out for and watch for. If it does not decrease or gets worse, immediately notify your doctor for advice and support.
Some subjects experience immediate side effects when using regorafenib. However, when prescribing, doctors anticipated bad reactions for patients. So you just need to closely monitor and notify your doctor when bad signs occur. With a doctor's supervision all bad risks will be repelled.
When taking stivarga you will be at risk of experiencing skin reactions such as redness, swelling, pain. The risk of this reaction is thought to be common in people of Asian descent. If you notice swelling, pain, redness or peeling or acne causing discomfort, please notify your doctor immediately.
In addition, you need to cover to avoid direct sunlight. The drug will appear side effects when the body is subjected to large amounts of heat. Therefore, in addition to sun protection when going out, you need to pay attention when using hot water in personal activities. This drug can also cause the user to have high blood pressure. Therefore, before using the doctor will conduct a thorough examination to make sure to minimize the side effects.
In addition, you should pay attention to some symptoms such as: open wounds that take a long time to close, dehydration, swelling and pain leading to fever, psychological instability, please quickly report to your doctor. On the other hand, if the bleeding is abnormal and does not stop, you need to quickly notify your doctor for monitoring.
The most dangerous is an allergy to the drug. But fortunately this rate is quite low and rare. That means you should still take precautions when your body develops a rash, itchiness, or swelling. There are many other side effects that researchers have not discovered yet. So you need to monitor and pay attention to any changes in yourself when using the drug to ensure safety and health.

3. Note to limit the side effects of the drug

Before taking any dose of medicine you should proactively inform your body's allergy problems to your doctor. This will help the doctor have a timely plan for you. Also, if you have a history of liver disease, high blood pressure or heart disease, stomach bleeding, recent surgery or injury, you should also tell your doctor.
After using regorafenib, the body will appear more difficult to heal or stop bleeding. So you need to protect yourself from sharp objects. Especially elderly people with high blood pressure should avoid using this drug.
For pregnant and postpartum women should stay away from this drug. So you need to plan or tell your doctor about your pregnancy. Not only that, your husband also needs to be careful when using medicine to avoid dust from entering the baby's lungs and skin.

4. Drug interactions

Each drug will have different chemical interactions. With stivarga, this can also happen if you accidentally take a counterproduct that interacts with the drug's ingredients. Especially if you use it in combination with supplements or other drugs, please tell your doctor to check for support.
Due to its anticoagulant properties and delayed wound healing, stivarga should not be used with antiplatelet agents. You should also not take this medicine at the same time as aspirin. In low doses aspirin protects against heart attacks and strokes. However, you should only use the combination when approved by your doctor.

5. Use the right medicine and the right dose

Medicines are recommended to be taken at the right dose and at the right time each day. However, if you accidentally miss a dose and find out soon after, you can take it right away. If you forget until the next day, skip the dose. Doubling the dose is not effective, it is also harmful to your health.
This medicine is stored at room temperature not too high and away from sunlight and heat. You need to pay attention to the place where the humidity is suitable, not too high. In addition, after 7 weeks of opening the lid, if the drug is not used up, it should be disposed of.
About the method of drug handling you can refer to the instructions on the package. If the product does not follow the instructions, consult your doctor for advice. Any problems you have should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible for a solution.
Stivarga is a prescription medication that needs to be taken as directed. Any problems when using should be reported to the doctor or to the nearest medical facility. Get more information about your medication to make sure you're taking it effectively.

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Reference source: webmd.com