SUTENT is used to treat GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor). This is a rare cancer of the stomach, bowel, or esophagus. SUTENT is used when the medicine Gleevec^® (imatinib mesylate) did not stop the cancer from growing or when you cannot take Gleevec.

Important safety information

SUTENT may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. If you do, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking SUTENT. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT.

SUTENT may cause heart problems. Tell your doctor if you feel very tired, are short of breath, feel faint or dizzy, or have swollen feet and ankles.

In rare cases, SUTENT may cause a hole in the stomach or bowel wall or bleeding from the tumor. This could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting or coughing blood, and black, sticky stools. Your doctor can tell you other symptoms to watch for.

SUTENT may increase blood pressure. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, and may treat you for it.

SUTENT may interact with other treatments or products. Tell your doctor or nurse about each medicine, vitamin, or herbal product that you use. Do not take St. John's Wort, eat grapefruit, or drink grapefruit juice while taking SUTENT.

You may have side effects or reactions to SUTENT. For most patients, these are moderate and may be managed, though some can be serious. Your doctor may change your dose or stop your treatment. Some of the most common side effects include fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation, skin or hair changes, taste changes, swelling, loss of appetite, and bleeding, such as from the nose or cuts. Call your doctor if you have any swelling or bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse about any new side effects you have, as well as any change or increase in any side effect.

Gleevec is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.