How Effective and What is the Cost and Cost Benefit of Nexavar?

ByShaun Snapp

Executive Summary 

  • Nexavar is taken as a treatment for lung cancer.
  • We have never seen a cost-benefit analysis for this drug, so we have done that in this article.

Introduction

Nexavar is a drug that interferes with the spread of cancer.

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Comments on Nexavar

The following comments are from Drug.com on Nexavar.

Comment #1: Reasonable Side Effects?

I have taken Nexavar for almost eight years, with stable disease. The most on going side effect is only the bottoms of my feet bother me, like they bother a diabetic, I have to buy cotton socks, and they bother me during each season than there ok after a few weeks. I have worked five days a week, this whole time and only missed a day because of a doctors appointment every three months.

Comment #2: Changing Dosage Over Time?

Was on Nexavar since May 2017. Basically stymied growth until Jan 2018. Side effects included diarrhea, hand/foot syndrome (dry skin) and some dry patches on face. That reduced when dosage reduced from 800mg/day to 600/mg day. Significant weight loss (about 100 lbs), but been consistent past 3 months at about 215. Wished it would have continued to work. Next up is Stivarga…starts 1/19/18. Overall side effects easy to handle. Copay assist card from mfg was nice.

Comment #3: 83% Reduction in Tumor Size?

I (78 y.o. male) was diagnosed with NSCLC in March 2011 and in late May I started taking Iressa as a first line of treatment. For the first five months my only side effect was a mild rash. I then had swollen gums and stomach acid. Both quickly responded to antibiotics. 75 days between the March and May CT scans the tumor increased by 86% (from 4.9 x 4 cms). 50 days later in July, after taking Iressa, the CT scan revealed an 83% reduction. From March to July it reduced by 69% and in December, although subtle, there has been further reduction. April 2012. True to form, tumour started growing again after 10 months of Iressa treatment. Still looking healthy, active in garden and taking 4 to 6 miles weekly walks. Only side effect was mild rash mainly on body. Now switching to conventional Chemotherapy today 10th May.

Moderate side effects and great outcomes in this case.