Sunitinib
About
Sunitinib belongs to the class of medications called ‘antineoplastic agents’ used in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (cancer of the stomach, bowel, or esophagus) in which patients don’t respond to imatinib (another anticancer agent). It is also used to treat renal carcinoma (kidney cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body and advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cancer that has affected hormone-producing cells in the pancreas).
Sunitinib contains sunitinib. It acts by slowing down the growth of cancer cells by two processes. It interferes with the action of a protein that promotes cell division and thereby decreases cancer cell production. It can inhibit a process called angiogenesis, the development of blood supply to the cancer cells. This effect inhibits the nutrient supply to the cancer cells, thereby causing cancer cell death eventually.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Sunitinib are difficulty breathing, increase in blood pressure, extreme tiredness, swelling caused by fluid under the skin and around the eye, pain or irritation in the mouth, mouth sores, dry mouth, taste disturbances, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, decreased activity of thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), dizziness, headache, nose bleeding, back pain, joint pain, pain in arms and legs, yellowish discoloration of the skin, rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, dryness of the skin, cough, fever, and difficulty to sleep. Inform your doctor immediately if any of these side-effects persist or get worse.
It is not recommended to take Sunitinib if you are allergic to any contents of it. Sunitinib should be used with caution in patients with high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, skin disorders, pancreas or gallbladder problems, history of blood clots, aneurysm (weakening of blood vessel wall), problems with the thyroid gland, pancreas, and gallbladder, liver or kidney problems, and thrombotic microangiopathy (damage to the smallest blood vessels). It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Do not consume alcohol as it may increase the risk of side-effects. Sunitinib may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Uses of Sunitinib
Medicinal Benefits
Sunitinib is a targeted therapy used to treat advanced kidney cancer. It is also used in patients with kidney cancer to prevent recurrence after having kidney surgery. It is used to treat gastrointestinal stromal cancer that cannot be treated with imatinib, another anti-cancer medicine. It is used to manage pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cancer of hormone-producing cells of the pancreas) that cannot be treated with surgery. Sunitinib can help to manage the above conditions if taken regularly as prescribed by the doctor.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sunitinib
- Tiredness
- Pain or irritation in the mouth
- Mouth sores
- Dry mouth
- Taste disturbances
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Yellowish discoloration of the skin
- Rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- Dryness of the skin
- Cough
- Fever
- Difficulty to sleep
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Sunitinib may cause an increase in blood pressure. So, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure regularly and prescribe blood-pressure-lowering medicines if necessary. Sunitinib may increase the risk of bleeding, and the risk is high if you are taking any blood thinners such as warfarin and acenocoumarol. Sunitinib may cause heart problems, so notify your doctor if you experience extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, and swelling of the feet and ankles. Sunitinib may cause heart rhythm abnormalities, so inform your doctor if you experience dizziness or abnormal heartbeats. Sunitinib should be used with caution in patients with a recent history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke as this medicine may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, weakness of one side of the body, or dizziness. Sunitinib should be used with caution in patients with aneurysm (weakening of blood vessel wall), thrombotic microangiopathy (damage to the small blood vessels), and liver or kidney problems. Sunitinib may cause inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder and lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain (upper abdominal region), fever, and vomiting, in patients with a history of pancreatic or gallbladder disorders. Sunitinib may cause thyroid gland problems, so inform your doctor if you experience frequent fatigue and extreme cold than others. Sunitinib may cause skin ulceration (pyoderma gangrenosum) or infection (necrotizing fasciitis). So, inform your doctor if you notice symptoms of infection around a skin injury such as fever, pain, swelling, redness, and drainage of pus or blood from the wound. However, these effects are usually reversible after the discontinuation of therapy. If you develop severe skin rashes, especially with blistering or peeling of the skin, notify your doctor immediately as it can be a sign of a serious skin condition. Sunitinib may cause headaches, high blood pressure, and vision problems in patients with a history of fits or seizures. While using Sunitinib, blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly in patients with diabetes. In addition, notify your doctor immediately if you notice signs of low blood sugar such as fatigue, hunger, sweating, pounding heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sunitinib may interact with antifungal agents (ketoconazole and itraconazole), antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, and rifampicin), blood thinners (warfarin and acenocoumarol), a steroid medicine (dexamethasone), medicines used to treat fits (phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital), and a herbal antidepressant (hypericum perforatum).
Drug-Food Interactions: It is not advised to take grapefruit juice while using Sunitinib.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Sunitinib should be used with caution in patients with high blood pressure, bleeding problems, heart problems, abnormal heart rhythm, the recent history of blood clots, aneurysm (weakening of blood vessel wall), problems with the thyroid gland, pancreas, and gallbladder, liver or kidney problems, and thrombotic microangiopathy (damage to the smallest blood vessels).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not consume alcohol as it can increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeSunitinib may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby when used in pregnant women. It is also advised to use reliable contraception to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeSunitinib may cause harmful effects to the nursing baby when given to breastfeeding mothers. Consult your doctor before using Sunitinib.
Driving
cautionSunitinib may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionSunitinib should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The doctor may monitor liver function during the treatment.
Kidney
cautionSunitinib should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The doctor may monitor kidney function during the treatment.
Children
unsafeSunitinib is not recommended for children and adolescents below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yogurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, herbs in your diet.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs, and added sugars.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Manage stress and use relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.
- Get optimal sleep, rest well.
- Limit exposure to environmental toxins such as smoke, asbestos, or other chemicals.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know before undergoing any surgery that you are taking Sunitinib as this medicine may delay wound healing.
- Your doctor may advise you to undergo a dental check-up before starting treatment with Sunitinib. In addition, inform your doctor that you are taking Sunitinib if you are undergoing any dental treatment or surgery, especially if you are taking bisphosphonates (medications used to prevent bone complications.
- Use reliable contraception while using Sunitinib to prevent pregnancy.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: It is cancer that affects the stomach and small intestine. It shows no or mild symptoms during the initial stages. It may cause blood in the stool or vomit as the disease progresses. In general, surgery is preferred for the treatment. However, imatinib or sunitinib (targeted therapy) can be given to shrink the tumor or if the tumor cannot be removed by surgery.
Kidney cancer: It is also called renal cell carcinoma. It is the most common type of cancer seen in adults. Symptoms include red, orange, or pink-colored urine due to the presence of blood in the urine. In advanced kidney cancer (that has spread to other parts of the body), treatment is given to improve the survival rate.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: It is a type of endocrinal tumor that arises in the pancreas. Symptoms include yellowish skin or whites of the eyes, diarrhea, indigestion, stomach pain, and weight loss. Surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can be given to treat this type of tumor.
FAQs
Sunitinib contains sunitinib which is an anti-cancer medicine. It acts by slowing down the growth of cancer cells by two processes. It interferes with the action of a protein that promotes cell division and thereby decreases cancer cell production. It can inhibit a process called angiogenesis, the development of blood supply to the cancer cells. This effect inhibits the nutrient supply to the cancer cells, thereby causing cancer cell's death eventually.
Sunitinib may cause thyroid dysfunction leading to decreasing in thyroid hormone levels. This effect cause hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. So, notify your doctor if you feel extreme tiredness, colder than others, or change in voice while using this medicine.
Sunitinib is not a cure for cancer. It can slow down cancer progression and prevent the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body. Also, the effects of the medicine differ for each patient based on age and health history.
Sunitinib can be taken as long as it is prescribed to you. The duration of the therapy is determined by the doctor based on your health condition.
Yes, Sunitinib is considered chemotherapy. It is used to treat stomach cancer, advanced kidney cancer, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cancer of the pancreas's hormone-producing cells).
It is not known whether Sunitinib can be taken with other chemotherapy medicines. So, please consult a doctor for advice.
