1. Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using sunitinib (Sutent)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely take sunitinib, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver or kidney disease;
• high blood pressure;
• seizures;
• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
• a thyroid disorder;
• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
• a history of heart attack or congestive heart failure; or
• a history of stroke, blood clots, coronary artery disease, bypass graft surgery, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use sunitinib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if sunitinib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take sunitinib (Sutent)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Sunitinib is usually taken once per day. Sunitinib is sometimes taken for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks off the drug. Your doctor will determine how many complete treatment cycles you need based on your condition.

Sunitinib may be taken with or without food.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, or open a sunitinib capsule. Swallow it whole. The medicine from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing certain side effects, your blood and blood pressure may need to be tested at the beginning of each 4-week treatment cycle. Your heart function may also need to be tested with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) on a regular basis. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using sunitinib. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.