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Sunitinib

Generic name: sunitinib [ soo-NIT-in-ib ]
Brand name: Sutent
Dosage form: oral capsule (12.5 mg; 25 mg; 37.5 mg; 50 mg)
Drug classes: Multikinase inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 8, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is sunitinib?

Sunitinib is used to treat certain types of advanced or progressive tumors of the stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, or kidneys.

Sunitinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sunitinib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Sunitinib can cause severe or fatal effects on your liver. Call your doctor if you have loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Sunitinib may also cause life-threatening blood clots in the small blood vessels inside your organs, such as your brain or kidneys. Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of this condition, such as a fever, tiredness, decreased urination, bruising, or nosebleeds.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of sunitinib may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Sunitinib can cause severe or fatal effects on your liver. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function during treatment. Call your doctor if you have any signs of a liver problem, such as right-sided upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use sunitinib if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

sunitinib may cause jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis). The risk is highest in people with cancer, blood cell disorders, pre-existing dental problems, or people treated with steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation. Ask your doctor about your own risk.

Sunitinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because sunitinib can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while you are using sunitinib and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose.

Sunitinib is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take sunitinib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure and liver function may need to be tested at the beginning of each 4-week treatment cycle.

Sunitinib is usually taken once per day. Sunitinib is sometimes taken for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks off the drug. Your doctor will determine how many complete treatment cycles you need based on your condition.

You may take sunitinib with or without food.

You will need frequent blood and urine tests. Your heart function may also need to be tested with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) on a regular basis, and you may also need frequent dental exams.

If you need surgery or a dental procedure, tell the surgeon or dentist you currently use sunitinib. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time before and after major surgery.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Sunitinib dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Renal Cell Carcinoma:

50 mg orally once daily on a schedule of 4 weeks on treatment followed by 2 weeks off

Comment: May be taken with or without food.

Uses:
-For the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
-For the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after disease progression on or intolerance to imatinib.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor:

50 mg orally once daily on a schedule of 4 weeks on treatment followed by 2 weeks off

Comment: May be taken with or without food.

Uses:
-For the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
-For the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after disease progression on or intolerance to imatinib.

Usual Adult Dose for Pancreatic Cancer:

37.5 mg orally once daily

Comments:
-To be taken continuously without a scheduled off-treatment period; may be taken with or without food.

Use: For the treatment of progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking sunitinib?

Grapefruit may interact with sunitinib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What other drugs will affect sunitinib?

Sunitinib can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sunitinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Five times as many people with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) saw their tumors shrink with Sutent compared with those who were taking interferon α (IFNα). Studies also reported that, on average, people treated with Sutent lived more than twice the number of months without progression compared to those taking IFNα. Overall, clinical trials have proven that Sutent is more effective than IFNα, but some people may not tolerate it well, and it has a black box warning for severe liver toxicity. Sutent is not a cure, and it may not be effective for everybody. Continue reading

Sutent is used to treat certain types of cancer, but it is considered a targeted treatment, rather than a traditional chemotherapy drug. Sutent (sunitinib) works by inhibiting receptors that exist on the surface of some cells called receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). These receptors help cells to communicate with each other and control several different biological functions, such as cell growth, motility, differentiation, and metabolism. Continue reading

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.