Caregiver as treatment coach

There are many ways to help with treatment, including watching for side effects, reminding your loved one when to take his or her medicines, and learning how best to contact and communicate with healthcare providers. Being better prepared at the start of treatment can make all the difference later on.

Following treatment is important

Following treatment is important

It’s vital that your loved one follows his or her doctor’s orders when treated with SUTENT. This includes remembering when to take treatment.

Reminders for taking SUTENT

Caregivers can do a lot to help their loved ones remember when to take SUTENT, including:

  • Phoning your loved one when it’s time for the next dose
  • Sending a text or e-mail reminder
  • Adding reminders on his or her online calendar or mobile device
  • Placing sticky notes or other reminders around the home
  • Getting others to pitch in and send reminders too
Preparing your loved one for possible side effects

Preparing your loved one for possible side effects

During treatment with SUTENT, many patients have side effects. Some can be managed but others are more serious and may not be manageable.

A healthcare provider may change a patient's dose or stop treatment. To learn more about the side effects that may be experienced, visit the Possible Side Effects section. It’s important to know that there are things that your loved one and his or her doctor can do to help manage the impact of many of the side effects that may occur.

For a list of common side effects and management tips, visit Side Effect Tips now.

Managing the Most Common Side Effects

During treatment with SUTENT, your loved one may experience common SUTENT side effects, such as:

  • SUTENT is yellow, and it may make his/her skin look yellow. His/her skin and hair may get lighter in color
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Fever
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, upset stomach, abdominal pain, and constipation. Talk with his/her healthcare provider about ways to handle these problems
  • Rash or other skin changes, including drier, thicker, or cracking skin
  • Blisters or a rash on the palms of his/her hands and soles of his/her feet
  • Taste changes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain or swelling in his/her arms or legs
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Bleeding, such as nosebleeds or bleeding from cuts
Keep an eye on signs or changes

Keep an eye on signs or changes

You can help your loved one pay attention and track all side effects that may occur. Side effects can be important signs that let your loved one and the doctor know what is happening in his or her body. Learn more about side effects and SUTENT.

Side effect tips

Side effect tips

Your loved one may experience side effects when taking SUTENT. Let the doctor know about any changes that you notice or that your loved one reports. Some side effects can be managed but others are more serious and may not be manageable. If your loved one is having some side effects, the doctor may decide to adjust or stop their treatment. That’s why it’s important to let the healthcare team know about ANY side effects they are experiencing. Learn about some of the potential side effects of SUTENT. You will also find tips on how to help your loved one manage some of these side effects.

Not all side effects of SUTENT are manageable. For a list of tips for common side effects that may be manageable, visit Side Effect Tips now.