Prescription Required
Description
What is Sutent (Sunitinib) prescribed for?
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the body. And cancer begins to develop when cells grow out of control and crowd out the normal cells. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new and abnormal cells. Cancer can form anywhere in the body.
This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer such as kidney, pancreas, and intestinal cancers. It is also used to treat people who are at a high risk of the kidney cancer coming back again after having kidney surgary. Sunitinib, the active ingredient within Sutent, works by stopping or slowing down the growth of the cancer tumors. It also functions by slowing the growth of new blood vessels within the tumor.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking sunitinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist for any advice.
Directions
Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, and usually only once a day. Or as directed by your doctor. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medication.
And remember the dosage is based on your medical condition and your response to the treatment. For some conditions, you may be directed to take this medication for a specific period of time followed by another period of time off of the drug. For other conditions, you may be directed to take sunitinib every day without a break. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.
Cautions
Before taking this medication, it is best to advise your doctor if you are allergic to Sunitinib; or to any other medications or allergies in general. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
You should also let your doctor know of all of your medical history. Especially if you have ever dealt with any of these experiences in the past; bleeding problems, heart problems (such as heart attack), high blood pressure, liver problems, kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes.
Sunitinib may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using sunitinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using sunitinib safely.
Side Effects
While minor, some of these side effects may occur. They are as follows; Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in taste, decreased appetite, dry/cracked/thickened skin, watering eyes, swelling around eyes, numbness/tingling of arms/legs, or tiredness may occur. In some cases, drug therapy may be necessary to prevent or relieve nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. Eating several small meals or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. However if any of these persist or worsen, it’s best to speak with your doctor right away.
This medication may cause patchy or complete hair loss and changes in hair/skin color. These effects are not harmful. However, talk to your doctor for more details since changes in skin color may also be a sign of a more serious condition.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: headache, rash/blisters on palms of hands/soles of feet, sores/pain on the tongue/mouth, easy bruising/bleeding, cold/heat intolerance, pain/redness/swelling of arms or legs, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, coughing up blood, slow wound healing, jaw pain, toe/joint pain, signs of low blood sugar (such as hunger, shakiness, fast heartbeat, sweating), symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), mental/mood changes (such as decreased alertness, irritability, nervousness), vision changes (such as decreased vision).
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Your doctor may control your blood pressure with medication.
Sunitinib sometimes causes side effects due to the rapid destruction of cancer cells (tumor lysis syndrome). To lower your risk, your doctor may add a medication and tell you to drink plenty of fluids. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: low back/side pain (flank pain), signs of kidney problems (such as painful urination, cloudy/pink/bloody urine, change in the amount of urine), muscle spasms/weakness.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: trouble breathing, chest/jaw/left arm pain, severe dizziness, fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, seizures.
Sunitinib has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) skin reactions. Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of serious skin reactions, including: rash, hot/peeling/blistering/painful skin, red/purple skin.
This medication can lower the body's ability to fight an infection. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as fever, chills or persistent sore throat.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
FAQs
What is Sutent?
Sutent is a medication that is used to treat certain types of cancer, most for kidney, pancreas, or intestinal cancers. It is also used within patients who are at high risk of the return of the kidney cancer after having kidney surgery. When taken, this medication works by stopping or slowing down the growth of the cancer tumors. It also works by slowing down the growth of new blood vessels within the tumor. This medication comes in three different strengths which are 12.5mg, 25mg, and 50mg. If you have any questions regarding this medication or any inquiries in general, feel free to give us a call at our toll free number 1-877-385-8998.
What are the side effects of Sutent?
Some of the more common side effects to this medication are as follows; Tiredness or weakness, diarrhea, mouth pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion, stomach pain, blisters or rashes, high blood pressure, taste changes, low platelet counts, skin or hair changes. Keep in mind that these are not all of the side effects listed for this medication, and if you are experiencing any of these be sure to inform your doctor if they persist or worsen.
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