Sutent (sunitinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer. Sutent comes as an oral capsule. The dosage can vary, depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.

Sutent is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a type of kidney cancer known as advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in adults. Sutent may also be given for RCC after a kidney is removed to prevent the cancer from returning.

Sutent is also approved to treat:

  • gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) when a drug known as imatinib (Gleevec) hasn’t worked or can’t be taken due to side effects
  • a certain type of pancreatic cancer that can’t be treated with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body

Sutent belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. Sutent is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Sutent, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Sutent, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Sutent provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Sutent, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Read below for details about Sutent’s dosages for its approved uses.

Sutent form

Sutent comes as an oral capsule.

Sutent strengths

Sutent comes in four strengths:

  • 12.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 25 mg
  • 37.5 mg
  • 50 mg

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for gastrointestinal cancer

Doctors may prescribe Sutent to treat GIST.

If your doctor prescribes Sutent, your starting dose will likely be 50 mg. Typically, you’ll take this dose once per day for 4 weeks. For the next 2 weeks, you won’t take any medication. Then, you’ll repeat this cycle. You’ll follow this schedule as long as Sutent is working for you and as long as you don’t have any serious side effects from the drug. Your doctor will determine how long you take this medication.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for kidney cancer

Sutent is also approved to help treat a type of kidney cancer called advanced RCC. The usual dosage of Sutent for RCC is 50 mg once per day for 4 weeks. For the next 2 weeks, you won’t take any medication. Then, you’ll repeat this cycle. You’ll follow this schedule as long as Sutent is working for you and as long as you don’t have any serious side effects from the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Dosage for adjuvant treatment of kidney cancer

Sutent is also approved to prevent kidney cancer from returning after a kidney is removed. In this case, the recommended dosage of Sutent is 50 mg. You’ll usually take this once per day for 4 weeks. For the next 2 weeks, you won’t take any medication. This is known as one cycle. You’ll continue this schedule for a total of nine 6-week cycles (4 weeks of treatment followed by 2 weeks off treatment).

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Dosage for pancreatic cancer

Sutent is also approved to help treat advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). In this case, the recommended starting dose of Sutent is 37.5 mg. You’ll usually take this once per day. You’ll continue taking Sutent as long as it’s working for your condition and as long as it’s not causing serious side effects.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Long-term treatment

Sutent may be taken long term, depending on your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Sutent.

The Sutent dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how your body responds to Sutent
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Sutent to treat
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Sutent

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Sutent dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as liver enzyme* inhibitors or inducers. These drugs can affect the level of Sutent in your body.

If you develop liver damage while taking Sutent, your doctor may need to lower your dosage. In some cases, they may recommend stopping treatment with the drug.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

* Liver enzyme is a type of protein in the liver that breaks down medications.

Sutent comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the capsule in water. You may take your dose with or without food.

It may be helpful to take Sutent around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Sutent can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to take Sutent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also more information on the manufacturer’s website.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Sutent in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Sutent, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s been more than 12 hours since your missed dose, skip it, and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. Let your doctor know if you miss any doses. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Sutent than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Sutent can include:

  • difficulty with muscle coordination
  • involuntary head shaking
  • drainage from the eyes
  • decrease in physical activity
  • goose bumps
  • nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

If you take more than the recommended amount of Sutent

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Sutent. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Sutent.

Is the dosage of Sutent similar to the dosage of Votrient?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Sutent and Votrient (pazopanib) are both medications that are taken by mouth once per day. Sutent comes as an oral capsule, while Votrient comes as an oral tablet.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Sutent to start working?

Sutent starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Sutent treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Sutent for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Sutent without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Sutent that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Sutent. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Sutent: For information about other aspects of Sutent, refer to this article.
  • Details about you condition: For details about your condition, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.