Basic information about SUTENT
ABOUT SUTENT
SUTENT is a medicine that treats cancer. It comes in 12.5-mg, 25-mg, and 50-mg capsules. You take SUTENT once per day by mouth. Do not open the capsules.
SUTENT is used to treat an advanced form of kidney cancer, known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). SUTENT may slow or stop the growth of cancer. It may also help shrink tumors.
SUTENT is available by prescription only. Your doctor has prescribed SUTENT because he or she believes it is the most appropriate treatment for you. SUTENT may not be appropriate for all patients with RCC and has not been studied in children. SUTENT may not work the same in every person.
HOW DOES SUTENT WORK?
This is when a cell divides, creating 2 cells where there used to be only 1. Like the other cells in your body, cancer cells divide. The difference is that cancer cells divide more times than they should, forming a tumor. SUTENT may help slow down this process.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to get pregnant. SUTENT may harm an unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with SUTENT.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have any of the following:
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Kidney function problems (other than cancer)
- Liver problems
- Any bleeding problems
- Seizures
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can react with SUTENT and cause serious side effects, including St. John’s Wort. Do not take St. John’s Wort while taking SUTENT.
Other medicines can react with SUTENT. These include:
- Dexamethasone (a steroid)
- Medicine for:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Infections (antibiotics)
- Depression
- Seizures (epilepsy)
- Fungal infections (antifungals)
- HIV (AIDS)
Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor or pharmacist. Also, talk with your doctor before starting any new medicines.
HOW TO TAKE SUTENT
| SUTENT comes in 12.5-mg, 25-mg, and 50-mg capsules that are taken once per day by mouth. Most patients take SUTENT on a dosing cycle: they take SUTENT every day for 4 weeks (28 days), then stop for 2 weeks (14 days). Patients repeat this cycle for as long as their doctor tells them to. |
See a chart of the treatment schedule below.
Important things to remember
- Follow your doctor’s or nurse’s instructions on how and when to take SUTENT
- Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any other medicines, vitamins, or herbal products
- This includes any supplements or over-the-counter products
- Take SUTENT exactly the way your doctor tells you to. Do not open the capsules
- Try to take SUTENT at about the same time each day
- SUTENT can be taken with or without food
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit because this can change the amount of SUTENT in your body
- Do not take St. John’s Wort while taking SUTENT
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take more than 1 dose of SUTENT at a time, and tell your doctor or nurse if you miss a dose
- Call your doctor right away if you take too much SUTENT (more than 1 dose of SUTENT at a time)
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
You may have side effects or reactions to SUTENT®. Most patients have moderate side effects that can be managed. Some side effects can be serious. Your doctor may change your dose of SUTENT or stop treatment.
Be sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects or concerns you have.
Possible serious side effects
Some side effects are more serious than others. It is important that you know the signs of these side effects so you can tell your doctor if any of these problems occur.
- Heart problems
- Rare, life-threatening events
- Hole in stomach or bowel wall (perforation)
- Bleeding from the tumor
- Increased blood pressure
Common side effects
Patients who take SUTENT have these side effects more often than other side effects.
- Feeling tired/fatigue
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mouth sores/stomatitis
- Upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Skin or hair changes
- Taste changes
- Swelling
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Bleeding (such as nosebleeds or bleeding from cuts)
You may have had some of these side effects before starting treatment with SUTENT. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse if there is any change or increase in your side effects.
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
You may have side effects or reactions to SUTENT®. For most patients, the side effects of SUTENT are moderate and may be managed. For others, the doctor may change the dose or stop treatment with SUTENT.
Make sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects or concerns you have. There are also steps you can take on your own to ease some of these problems.
- Take short naps or breaks
- Eat well and drink plenty of fluids
- Take short walks or do light exercise
- Do things that are relaxing, such as listening to music or reading
Managing diarrhea or bowel movement changes. These symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medicines. Ask your doctor or nurse which product may be best for you.
- Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, caffeine, and fruit
- Eat only mild foods
- Drink water often—but only in small sips
Managing nausea or vomiting. If you have these problems, tell your doctor or nurse. He or she may prescribe a medicine for these symptoms.
- Eat small meals
- Avoid foods that are sweet, fried, or fatty
- Drink lots of fluids, but in small amounts
Managing mouth sores/stomatitis.
- Avoid hot, spicy, or acidic foods
- Eat foods that are soft
- Use a straw for drinking liquids
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash, and rinse your mouth often with water
- Avoid toothpastes with whiteners (ie, peroxide)
Managing upset stomach.
- Avoid heavy meals, coffee, and alcohol
- Reduce your stress
- Sleep in a more upright position, propped up on a pillow
- Take an antacid
Managing skin problems. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop skin problems. He or she may give you specific treatments.
- Specific lotions or moisturizers
- Specific pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Managing taste changes.
- Cold or frozen foods may taste better than hot foods
- Flavor your food with herbs, spices, sugar, lemon, or sauces
- Keep a clean and healthy mouth by brushing and flossing often
Bleeding.
Other side effects.
When cells divide and multiply quickly. Tumors form when cancer cells proliferate.
The growth of new blood vessels from existing ones. Tumors use this process to receive nutrients from the bloodstream and to metastasize.
