Sutent is a prescription medication used to treat a certain type of gastrointestinal cancer as well as cancer of the kidney and pancreas. Sutent belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors, which work by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.
This medication comes in capsule form and is taken once daily, with or without food. It is taken for 4 weeks followed by a 2 week break before starting another dosing cycle.
Common side effects of Sutent include skin yellowing, tiredness, weakness and fever.
WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY
Hepatotoxicity has been observed in clinical trials and post-marketing experience. This hepatotoxicity may be severe, and deaths have been reported. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems during treatment with SUTENT:
- itching
- yellow eyes or skin
- dark urine
- pain or discomfort in the right upper stomach area
Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking and during treatment with SUTENT. Your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily or permanently stop taking SUTENT if you develop liver problems.
