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Stivarga (regorafenib)
Starting Stivarga can bring up a lot of questions, for you and for the people who love you. Here you'll find what to expect, how to feel your best day to day and where to get help, so you can focus on your life and time together.
ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
Targeted therapy pill (multikinase inhibitor) · Used for: Colorectal cancer
Types and tests it may fit: KRAS G12C colorectal cancer (RAS-mutant), RAS wild-type colorectal cancer (KRAS/NRAS normal), BRAF V600E colorectal cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (multikinase inhibitor)
The quick guide
What it is: Targeted therapy pill (multikinase inhibitor).
How it's given: Tablets by mouth once a day with a low-fat meal, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Many teams start with a lower dose and build up.
How it works: Stivarga blocks several proteins that help tumors grow and build blood vessels. It's used for metastatic colorectal cancer after other standard treatments.
Side effects you may notice, and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) (Hand-foot skin reaction (red, sore palms and soles)) | Thick fragrance-free moisturizer, sunscreen, gentle soap. |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | Short walks and planned rest. |
| Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) | Fluids, bland food; ask your team about anti-diarrhea medicine early. |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) (Decreased appetite) | Small, frequent meals; try tart or seasoned foods. |
| High blood pressure | Tell your care team; they can help. |
| Mucositis (mouth sores) | Soft toothbrush and salt-and-baking-soda rinses. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- ⚠️ Boxed warning (FDA's most serious): Severe and sometimes fatal liver damage. Your team checks liver blood tests regularly.
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or belly pain
- Bleeding that won't stop
- Severe chest pain or sudden headache
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ Each day on treatment
- Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
- If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) | ☐ | |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | ☐ | |
| Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) | ☐ | |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) | ☐ | |
| High blood pressure | ☐ | |
| Mucositis (mouth sores) | ☐ |
Help paying for Stivarga (regorafenib)
Stivarga (regorafenib) is made by Bayer.
Official manufacturer program:
- Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation: Free Bayer medicines for people who qualify, plus copay help.
Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:
- PAN Foundation: Copay grants for insured people, including those on Medicare, who meet income limits, when a fund for their diagnosis is open.
- FundFinder (from PAN): A free tool that tracks when copay foundation funds open and can send you an alert, so you don't have to keep checking each site.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles, and premiums for insured people under income limits; the disease funds page shows which are open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people with certain cancers who meet income limits.
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief (TotalAssist): Copay and coinsurance help for insured patients who qualify by income, from the Patient Advocate Foundation.
- Good Days: Copay help, and in some funds travel costs, for insured people with chronic or life-changing illnesses who meet income limits.
- Accessia Health (formerly Patient Services, Inc.): Help with premiums, copays, and travel for people with certain chronic and rare conditions.
- The Assistance Fund: Copay, premium, and other cost help for insured people with serious illnesses, when a disease fund is open.
- NORD Patient Assistance Programs: Cost help for people with certain rare diseases, including some rare cancers.
- NeedyMeds: A free, open-to-anyone database of drug-maker programs, foundations, and low-cost clinics, plus a drug discount card.
Funds open and close often. FundFinder shows which are open now. See more help on paying for cancer treatment.
📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Help from drug makers · Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support for you and your family
- Fight Colorectal Cancer: Patient guides, advocacy and community
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Helpline (877-422-2030) and patient navigation
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Questions people often ask
How does Stivarga work?
Stivarga blocks several proteins that help tumors grow and build blood vessels.
How is Stivarga given?
Tablets by mouth once a day with a low-fat meal, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Many teams start with a lower dose and build up.
How is Stivarga (regorafenib) given?
Tablets by mouth once a day with a low-fat meal, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Many teams start with a lower dose and build up.
How does Stivarga (regorafenib) work?
Stivarga blocks several proteins that help tumors grow and build blood vessels. It's used for metastatic colorectal cancer after other standard treatments.
What side effects are common with Stivarga (regorafenib)?
Side effects people often notice include Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes), Fatigue (extreme tiredness), Diarrhea (loose, watery stools), Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss), and High blood pressure. Not everyone gets them, and our table above shares tips that may help at home.
When should I call my care team while on Stivarga (regorafenib)?
Call right away if you notice any of these: ⚠️ Boxed warning (FDA's most serious): Severe and sometimes fatal liver damage. Your team checks liver blood tests regularly; yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or belly pain; bleeding that won't stop. If you're ever unsure, it's always OK to call.
What cancers is Stivarga (regorafenib) used for?
On this site, we cover Stivarga (regorafenib) for colorectal cancer. Your care team decides whether it fits your situation.
📄 The official FDA label for Stivarga (regorafenib), including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write
Sources
Last updated: October 15, 2026. We summarize these sources in our own words.