Before taking sunitinib,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sunitinib, any ingredients of sunitinib capsules, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin), and telithromycin (Ketek); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend); dexamethasone; medications for diabetes; certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) including atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); nefazodone; certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek). Also tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken alendronate (Binosto, Fosamax), etidronate, ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate, risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), or zoledronic acid injection (Reclast, Zometa), Other medications may also interact with sunitinib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. Do not take St. John's wort while taking sunitinib.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a bleeding problem; a blood clot in the lungs; a QT interval prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death); a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; a heart attack; heart failure; high blood pressure; seizures; low blood sugar or diabetes; low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood; problems with your mouth, teeth or gums; or kidney, thyroid, or heart disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are taking sunitinib. If you are female, you will need to have a pregnancy test before you start treatment, and you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your sunitinib treatment and for 4 weeks after your final dose. If you are male, you and your partner should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with sunitinib and for 7 weeks after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. Sunitinib may decrease fertility in men and women. However, you should not assume that you or your partner cannot become pregnant. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking sunitinib, call your doctor. Sunitinib may harm the fetus.
tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with sunitinib and for 4 weeks after your final dose.
if you are having surgery tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sunitinib. Your doctor will probably tell you to stop taking sunitinib before you have a major surgery.
you should know that sunitinib may cause your skin to turn yellow and your hair to lighten and lose color. This is probably caused by the yellow color of the medication and is not harmful or painful.
you should know that sunitinib may cause high blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly while you are taking sunitinib.
you should know that sunitinib may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ, a serious condition of the jaw bone), especially if you have dental surgery or treatment while you are taking the medication. A dentist should examine your teeth and perform any needed treatments, including cleaning or fixing ill-fitted dentures, before you start to take sunitinib. Be sure to brush your teeth and clean your mouth properly while you are taking sunitinib. Tell your doctor or dentist if you have or have had mouth, teeth, or jaw pain; mouth sores or swelling; numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw; or any loose teeth. Talk to your doctor before having any dental treatments while you are taking this medication.