Sunitinib Mesylate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: sunitinib mesylate, oral; Sutent

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat advanced kidney cancer. It may also be used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding problem
• heart disease or an irregular heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver problems
• seizures
• thyroid problems

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Treatment will be continued for as long as you continue to benefit and can tolerate the side effects.

This medicine may irritate your stomach. Taking it with meals and with a large glass of water may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

Do not crush or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: weakness, shaking chills, stomach pain.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.

This medicine may cause your skin to turn yellow or become very pale. It may also cause your hair to change color. This is not harmful.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Stomach irritation, abdominal pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, any signs of infection such as sore throat or fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, swelling of hands or feet.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, fatigue, blisters or rash, dry skin, muscle or joint pain, change in sense of taste, loss of appetite, mouth pain, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL), telithromycin (Ketek), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin), and erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., EryPed)
• antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone (Serzone), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), voriconazole (VFEND), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• anti-HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• bevacizumab (Avastin)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, Tiamate), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), nisoldipine (Sular), amlodipine (Norvasc), isradipine (DynaCirc), and nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• dexamethasone
• nefazodone
• pimozide (Orap)
• St. John's wort
• temsirolimus (Torisel)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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