Sunitinib



Sutent®







Sunitinib

(su NIT e nib)

U.S. Brand Names
Sutent®
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need blood work to watch for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to sunitinib or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
How does it work?
  • Sunitinib injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling tired or weak.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
  • Rash.
  • Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
  • Constipation.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Heart function tests. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Severe mouth pain or irritation.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: