Sutent (sunitinib) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for certain types of cancers in adults. As with other drugs, Sutent can cause side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, and bleeding.

Sutent has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Sutent can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Sutent in clinical trials:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • mouth sores
  • nausea
  • skin rash

Mild side effects can occur with Sutent use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sutent’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Sutent include:

  • fatigue
  • stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or decreased appetite
  • skin rash
  • mouth sores
  • high blood pressure
  • hair or skin color changes
  • hand-foot syndrome
  • changes in taste
  • edema (swelling in the arms, hand, legs, or feet)
  • headache

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Sutent and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Sutent may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sutent’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sutent, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • severe high blood pressure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • headache
    • vision problems
    • nosebleeds
  • heart problems (irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or heart attack), which may include symptoms such as:
    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
    • racing or fluttering of the heart
    • swelling in the ankles and feet
    • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • thrombotic microangiopathy (blood clots in small blood vessels), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
    • confusion
    • fever
    • decreased urine
  • osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) in the jaw, which may cause symptoms such as:
    • pain or swelling
    • infection
    • loose teeth
  • proteinuria (too much protein in the urine), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • foamy urine
    • fatigue
    • edema (swelling) in the hands, feet, abdomen, or face
    • frequent urination
  • tumor lysis syndrome (buildup of harmful chemicals released by cancer cells), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • nausea and vomiting
    • muscle cramps
    • weakness or fatigue (lack of energy)
    • numbness or tingling
    • heart palpitations
  • thyroid problems (high or low thyroid hormone levels), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • hair loss
    • weight changes
    • changes in menstruation
    • insomnia (trouble sleeping)
  • serious skin reactions (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • red or purple rash
    • blisters or peeling
    • joint or body aches
    • flu-like symptoms
  • problems with wound healing, which may cause symptoms such as:
    • wounds that heal slowly
    • infection
  • reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (a condition that affects the brain), which may cause symptoms such as:
  • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which may cause symptoms such as:
    • hunger
    • confusion
    • weakness or dizziness
    • tremors or shaking
  • bleeding problems*
  • liver problems*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Sutent capsules can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Sutent, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Sutent may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

When do the side effects of Sutent start?

Some side effects can start after you take the first dose of Sutent. These side effects may worsen during the first couple of weeks of treatment, but they may get better over time.

Other side effects, such as skin reactions, may not occur for 3 to 4 weeks after you start taking Sutent. These include skin rash, skin or hair color changes, dry skin, or hand-foot syndrome.

Talk with your doctor if you experience side effects that cause discomfort or are bothersome. They can recommend ways to help manage your side effects.

How long should I expect to take Sutent?

Sutent is typically taken long term. You will likely take it as long as it is controlling your cancer and your side effects can be managed. If your cancer worsens or you have side effects that can’t be managed or are severe, your doctor may recommend you stop taking Sutent.

Talk with your doctor about how long you should expect treatment with Sutent to last.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Sutent may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Sutent.

Liver problems

Sutent has a boxed warning about the risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Sutent can cause liver damage, which may be serious. This side effect wasn’t common in Sutent’s clinical studies. In rare cases, severe liver damage has occurred, leading to liver failure or death. Symptoms of liver damage may include:

  • dark-colored urine
  • abdominal pain
  • itching
  • fatigue
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

What you can do

Your doctor will likely order bloodwork to check your liver function regularly during treatment with Sutent. These tests evaluate the health of your liver. If your doctor sees signs of liver damage, they may decrease your dose or temporarily have you stop taking the medication. In some cases, they may discontinue treatment with Sutent.

Bleeding problems

Bleeding problems were commonly reported in clinical studies of Sutent. Nosebleeds were the most common bleeding problem reported. However, bleeding can also occur in the stomach, intestines, and brain, or around the tumor, lungs, or kidneys. Bleeding is typically mild, but in some cases, it can be serious and even life threatening.

Some risk factors that can increase the chance of bleeding include having a history of ulcers or bleeding disorders or taking medications that thin the blood. Where your tumor is located can also affect your chances of serious bleeding.

Some symptoms of bleeding problems may include:

  • nosebleeds
  • bleeding gums
  • bruising easily
  • coughing up blood
  • blood in your urine or stool
  • swollen and painful belly

What you can do

Your doctor will likely order regular blood tests to monitor for any changes that may be related to bleeding problems. If you develop symptoms of bleeding problems, contact your doctor right away. They may decrease your dose or have you temporarily stop taking the medication. In some cases, they may have you permanently stop taking Sutent.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Sutent.

Sutent has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Before taking Sutent, discuss your health history with your doctor. Sutent may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • thyroid problems
  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems
  • diabetes or a history of low blood sugar
  • seizures
  • liver problems
  • kidney problems
  • bleeding problems
  • dental or jaw problems
  • taking a bisphosphonate medication, such as alendronate
  • a recent or planned surgery
  • previous allergic reaction to Sutent or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

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.