Sutent (Sunitinib) Tablet

Sutent Tablet is used in the treatment of kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Sutent Tablet can be taken with or without food, but try to have it at the same time every day to get the most benefits. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Nausea, vomiting, weakness and weight loss are some common side effects of this medicine. The doctor may advise for regular monitoring of blood pressure and thyroid gland function while taking this medicine. It may decrease blood sugar levels. In fact, the levels can decrease to the extent that the patient may faint. So, if you are diabetic then it is important to check your blood sugar levels regularly. Additionally, you should also consult the doctor if the dose of anti-diabetic medicines needs to be adjusted. This medicine may affect wound healing time, so be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or using sharp objects.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or bleeding disorder. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. 

Uses Of Sutent Tablet 

• Kidney cancer
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumour 

Benefits Of Sutent Tablet

In Kidney Cancer

Sutent Tablet is used to treat kidney cancer and its associated symptoms such as blood in the urine, unexplained low back pain or weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. It stops cancer growth and prevents multiplication of cancer cells. This restricts the advancement of cancer to other unaffected regions. You need to follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully to recover.
In Gastrointestinal stromal tumour
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of tumor that occurs most commonly in the stomach or small intestine. The tumors develop into the specialized cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Sutent Tablet helps to kill the cancer cells and also stops their further growth and spread. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.

Side Effects Of Sutent Tablet 

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them. 

Common Side Effects Of Sutent 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Rash
• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Discoloration of skin
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Dry skin
• High blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Painful blisters on hands and feet
• Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
• Hair discoloration
• Pain in extremity
• Back pain
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Taste change
• Breathlessness 

How To Use Sutent Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Sutent Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. 

How Sutent Tablet Works

Sutent Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. It works by binding and blocking certain cell surface protein (tyrosine kinase) responsible for the propagation of cancer growth. It also restricts the growth of new blood vessels within the tumor. This is how it prevents the proliferation of malignant cancers.