Sutent

Along with its needed effects, Sutent may cause some unwanted effects. Since antineoplastics interfere with the process of cell growth, normal body cells may also be affected by sunitinib. Some of these may be serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern if they are persistent or worsen. Some of the known effects may not occur immediately, but only show up months or years after the medicine is first used.

This medication has been prescribed because your healthcare provider has judged that the benefits are greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. 

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need attention. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist immediately if any of the following serious  side effects occur:

• Bleeding
• High blood pressure
• Chronic heart failure
• Blood tests showing abnormal liver function tests, high alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase levels

More common side effects that should diminish over time are:

• Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, fingers, lower legs, or feet, wrinkled skin
• Chest pain, tightness in the chest, tingling of the hands or feet, troubled breathing
• Chills
• Confusion, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, lightheadedness, nervousness, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Constipation, decreased urine output and frequency, diarrhea, red or black, tarry stools, red or dark brown urine
• Coughing up blood
• Cracked lips, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth, swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• Sunken eyes, yellow eyes or skin
• Dilated neck veins
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, irregular breathing, rapid breathing
• Fever
• Headache, pounding in the ears
• Paralysis
• Rapid weight gain, thirst, unusual weight gain or loss

Rare side effects that should also diminish are:

• Bleeding from the rectum, bleeding from wounds
• Depressed mood
• Dry skin and hair
• Excessive sweating
• Feeling cold
• Hair loss
• Hoarseness or husky voice
• Indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea
• Muscle cramps and stiffness
• Pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
• Pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• Severe, sudden headache
• Slurred speech
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg

In all cases of mild side effects, if they persist or worsen, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Sutent is prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), late-stage renal carcinoma (RCC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET).

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common clinical sign of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Other features may include intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain, perforation, or a palpable pelvic mass that may have been detected during a gynecological, urological, or endoscopic/radiological investigation or surgery.

In the case of late-stage renal cell cancers, the indications include:

• Blood in the urine (may appear pink, red or dark brown)
• Pain in the back or side that persists
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness
• Fever

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors do not always cause symptoms. When they do, the signs include:

• Stomach ulcers or heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea or weight loss
• Diabetes or low blood sugar levels
• Weakness or fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Skin rash
• Constipation
• Pains around the abdomen or back
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes