SUTENT is used to treat advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma or RCC).
While you are taking SUTENT, you may have questions or concerns about your treatment.
Listed here are a few common questions about SUTENT and answers you may find useful.
Remember: Your doctor or nurse can talk with you about any questions or concerns
you have.
Q: What is SUTENT?
A: SUTENT is an anticancer drug that you take by mouth.
SUTENT is used to treat kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
This is called advanced kidney cancer (or renal cell carcinoma [RCC]).
Q: What are the benefits of taking SUTENT?
A: SUTENT may slow or stop the growth of your cancer.
It may also help shrink your tumors. SUTENT may not work the same for every person.
Q: How do I know if SUTENT is working?
A: When you visit your doctor, you will have special scans or tests to
check the size of your tumors. Your doctor or nurse will discuss these tests with
you. The scans and tests may show if the tumors are growing, staying the same size,
or shrinking.
Q: What serious side effects might I have while taking SUTENT?
A: 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.
Make sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects or
concerns you have.
Q: What other side effects might I have while taking SUTENT?
A: 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.
Q: Will my skin and/or hair change color?
A: Color change is not harmful or painful. If you have
light or fair skin, you may see a yellow tint in your skin. If your skin is darker,
it may lighten all over or in patches. Your hair may also lighten in patches.
Q: Will my natural skin and hair color come back?
A: Your natural skin or hair color will usually return
after stopping treatment with SUTENT.
Q: What signs or symptoms should I watch for?
A: You should call your doctor or nurse as soon as
possible if you have any of these:
- Severe fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting
- A rise in your blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Painful or swollen abdomen, vomiting blood, or black, sticky stools
Q: Will SUTENT react with any other drugs I’m taking or
products I’m using?
A: SUTENT may interact with other treatments or drugs
you use every day. Tell your doctor or nurse about each medicine, vitamin, or herbal
product that you use. Do not take St. John’s wort.
Grapefruit may affect the way SUTENT works in your body. Do not eat it or drink
grapefruit juice while taking SUTENT.
Q: Where can I find information about insurance coverage for SUTENT?
A: First Resource
® offers many services
to help you access Pfizer medicines. A simple phone call can start the process.
You can call First Resource at
(877) 744-5675.