About sunitinib
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Used for
- Advanced kidney cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors after other treatment fails
- Advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Usual adult dose
Usually 50 mg once daily for four weeks, then two weeks off; schedules vary by cancer.
Common side effects
- Fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Mouth sores and altered taste
- High blood pressure
- Hand-foot skin reactions and skin discoloration
Important warnings
- Can cause serious liver injury, heart problems, bleeding, or blood clots.
- May impair wound healing; treatment is usually paused before planned surgery.
- Can cause low blood counts and thyroid problems; monitoring is required.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe chest pain, breathing trouble, or unusual bleeding.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for four weeks after the last dose.
Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least four weeks after the last dose.
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors can raise sunitinib levels.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers can lower sunitinib levels.
- Warfarin and other medicines affecting clotting may increase bleeding risk.
- QT-prolonging medicines may increase risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.