sunitinib malate at a glance
Medicine class
Multi-targeted protein kinase inhibitor
Licensed uses
Selected adult kidney, gastrointestinal stromal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Administration
Swallow orally; may be taken with or without food
Important monitoring
Blood pressure, blood counts, thyroid, liver and kidney-related tests
What is sunitinib malate used for?
Licensed uses in adults include:
Unresectable or metastatic malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour after imatinib resistance or intolerance
Advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Progressive unresectable or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
How does sunitinib malate work?
Sunitinib blocks receptor tyrosine kinases including VEGF, PDGF and KIT receptors. These signals can help tumours grow and develop blood vessels.
sunitinib malate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg
How to take sunitinib malate
Follow the cancer team's written treatment plan and swallow the hard capsule with water.
It may be taken with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Do not alter or stop treatment without specialist advice.
Tell the team before surgery, dental extraction or another invasive procedure because wound healing may be impaired.
sunitinib malate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tiredness
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
- Sore mouth or mouth inflammation
- Reduced appetite or altered taste
- Raised blood pressure
- Hand-foot skin reaction, rash or dry skin
- Skin or hair colour changes
- Low blood-cell counts
- Underactive thyroid
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infection or fever
- Significant bleeding or coughing, vomiting or passing blood
- Chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or heart-failure symptoms
- Severe abdominal pain
- Seizure, confusion, visual disturbance or severe headache
- Blistering or peeling rash, mouth ulcers or another severe skin reaction
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or other signs of liver injury
- Facial or throat swelling, or breathing difficulty
- Painful jaw swelling or a non-healing dental site
sunitinib malate in pregnancy
Sunitinib may harm an unborn baby and should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless a specialist judges the potential benefit outweighs the risk. Effective contraception is required during treatment. Contact the cancer team promptly if pregnancy occurs or is planned. Treatment may also affect fertility.
sunitinib malate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking sunitinib because transfer into human milk is unknown and serious effects in a breastfed child are possible. Discuss feeding options with the oncology and maternity teams.
sunitinib malate interactions
The specialist team should check all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products before treatment and whenever medicines change.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including itraconazole, clarithromycin and ritonavir
May increase sunitinib exposure and toxicity; an alternative is generally preferred.
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
May increase sunitinib exposure and should be avoided.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital
Common questions about sunitinib malate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is sunitinib malate licensed to treat?
It is licensed for selected adults with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumour after imatinib failure or intolerance, and progressive unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.
Can sunitinib malate be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food.
Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking sunitinib malate?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.