Before Taking SUTENT

Before taking SUTENT

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have any heart problems
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have thyroid problems
  • Have a history of low blood sugar or diabetes
  • Have kidney function problems (other than cancer)
  • Have liver problems
  • Have any bleeding problem
  • Plan to have surgery or have had recent surgery. You should stop taking SUTENT at least 3 weeks before planned surgery
  • Have seizures
  • Have or have had pain in the mouth, teeth, or jaw, swelling or sores inside the mouth, numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, or loosening of a tooth
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed during treatment with SUTENT and for at least 4 weeks (1 month) after the last dose
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SUTENT can harm your unborn baby

Females who are able to become pregnant:

  • Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with SUTENT
  • You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose of SUTENT
  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with SUTENT

Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 7 weeks after your last dose of SUTENT.

SUTENT may cause fertility problems in males and females. Tell your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

Tell all of your healthcare providers and dentists that you are taking SUTENT. They should talk to the healthcare provider who prescribed SUTENT for you, before you have any surgery, or medical or dental procedure.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using SUTENT with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects.

You may have an increased risk of severe jaw-bone problems (osteonecrosis) if you take SUTENT and a bisphosphonate medicine. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking or have taken an osteoporosis medicine.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during your treatment with SUTENT. They may cause you to have too much SUTENT in your body.

Do not take St. John's Wort during your treatment with SUTENT. It may cause you to have too little SUTENT in your body.

Important Things to Remember
Pill not actual size.

Important things to remember

SUTENT is available through Specialty Pharmacy Providers. These are pharmacies that fill prescriptions for medicines that are not often on hand at neighborhood pharmacies or pharmacies in some larger stores. If you need help determining which Specialty Pharmacy Provider to use, your doctor's office should be able to help you find one that's right for your insurance.

Here are a few things you should know about taking SUTENT:

  • Take SUTENT exactly the way your healthcare provider tells you
  • Take SUTENT 1 time each day with or without food
  • Do not open the SUTENT capsules
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during your treatment with SUTENT. They may cause you to have too much SUTENT in your body
  • Do not take St. John's Wort during your treatment with SUTENT. It may cause you to have too little SUTENT in your body
  • Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before each cycle of treatment to check you for side effects
  • If you miss a dose of SUTENT by less than 12 hours, take the missed dose right away. If you miss a dose of SUTENT by more than 12 hours, just take your next dose at your regular time. Do not make up the missed dose. Tell your healthcare provider about any missed dose
  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you take too much SUTENT
What Not to Take With SUTENT

What not to take with SUTENT

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using SUTENT with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects.

Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during your treatment with SUTENT. They may cause you to have too much SUTENT in your body. Do not take St. John's Wort while taking SUTENT. It may cause you to have too little SUTENT in your body.

Severe jaw-bone problems have happened in some people who take SUTENT. Certain risk factors such as taking a bisphosphonate medicine or having dental disease may increase your risk of getting osteonecrosis. Your healthcare provider may tell you to see your dentist before you start taking SUTENT. Your healthcare provider may tell you to avoid dental procedures, if possible, during your treatment with SUTENT, especially if you are receiving a bisphosphonate medicine into a vein (intravenous).

Easy Ways to Remember Each Dose

Easy ways to remember each dose

Since you only have to take SUTENT once a day, with or without food, there are simple ways to remember each dose. Here are a few ideas you can try:

  • Make medicine a part of your daily routine—Take your medicine every day at the same time. For example, you may want to take it when you wake up in the morning, or just before you go to bed. Also, keep in mind that SUTENT can be taken with or without food
  • Use a weekly or monthly pill caddy—It can help you keep count of your capsules in advance, and to remember to take each day’s dose
  • Plan ahead—If possible, get your refills before your next treatment cycle starts
  • Place your pill bottle in plain sight—Keep your medicine where you will see it, such as on your nightstand. Just make sure it is out of the reach of children and pets
  • Always carry an extra dose with you—No matter where you are, you will always have your medicine on hand
  • Use a calendar—Record your dosage times on a calendar or planner. You can then check off each dose as you take it
  • Use a diary or journal—Track your medicine and when it is time to take it. You can also use it to track symptoms and side effects for doctor visits
  • Ask for a reminder—A caregiver, friend, or family member can help remind you to take each dose of your medicine. Just ask