Sunitinib Avansor
Sunitinib Avansor is a cancer medicine that stops cancer cells from growing and spreading by blocking certain proteins.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
25 mg
Active Ingredient
Sunitinib malate
Manufacturer
Avansor Pharma Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose. For GIST or kidney cancer, the usual dose is 50 mg once daily for 28 days, followed by a 14-day break. For pancreatic NET, the usual dose is 37.5 mg once daily without a break.
Method
You can take the capsules with or without food. Carefully tear along the perforation line, lift the foil edge, and pull it open to remove the capsule. Do not push the capsule through the foil as it may break.
Important
The maximum daily dose is usually 50 mg for GIST or kidney cancer, and 37.5 mg for pancreatic NET.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Lower numbers of blood cells (platelets, red, white cells)
- •Shortness of breath
- •High blood pressure
- •Extreme tiredness, weakness
- •Swelling due to fluid buildup under the skin and around the eyes, severe allergic skin inflammation
- •Mouth pain/irritation, mouth sores/inflammation/dryness, taste changes, stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain or bloating, loss of appetite
- •Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Nosebleed
- •Back pain, joint pain, limb pain
- •Yellowish or discolored skin, darkening of skin, hair color changes, rash on palms and soles, dry skin
- •Cough
- •Fever
- •Difficulty sleeping
- •Blood clots in blood vessels
- •Reduced blood flow to heart muscle (due to blocked or narrowed coronary arteries), chest pain
- •Reduced amount of blood pumped by the heart
- •Fluid buildup in the body, including around the lungs
- •Infections, severe infection complications (bloodstream infection) that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death
- •Low blood sugar
- •Protein in urine (proteinuria) that can sometimes cause swelling
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Abnormal blood test results, including pancreatic and liver enzyme levels
- •High uric acid in blood
- •Hemorrhoids, rectal pain, bleeding gums, difficulty swallowing
- •Burning sensation or pain in the tongue, inflammation of digestive tract lining, increased gas in stomach or bowel
- •Weight loss
- •Musculoskeletal pain (muscle and bone pain), muscle weakness, muscle tiredness, muscle spasms
- •Dry nose, stuffy nose, increased tear production
- •Unusual skin sensations, itching, peeling or inflammation of skin, blisters, acne, nail discoloration, hair loss
- •Unusual sensations in limbs
- •Abnormal changes in sensitivity, especially to touch
- •Heartburn
- •Dehydration
- •Hot flashes
- •Abnormally colored urine
- •Depression
- •Chills
RARE
- •Life-threatening soft tissue infection, including around the anus and genitals
- •Stroke
- •Heart attack due to blocked or reduced blood flow to the heart
- •Changes in heart's electrical activity or irregular heartbeat
- •Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion)
- •Liver failure
- •Abdominal pain caused by pancreas inflammation
- •Perforation in the digestive tract due to tumor breakdown
- •Gallbladder inflammation (swelling and redness), possibly with gallstones
- •Abnormal connection between body cavities or to the skin (fistula)
- •Mouth, tooth, and/or jaw pain, swelling or sores inside the mouth, numbness or a heavy feeling in the jaw, loose teeth (can be signs of jaw bone damage)
- •Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) which increases the body's energy use at rest
- •Problems with wound healing after surgery
- •Increased level of muscle enzyme (creatine kinase) in blood
- •Severe allergic reaction including hay fever, rash, itchy skin, hives, swelling of body parts, and breathing difficulties
- •Colon inflammation (colitis, ischemic colitis)
- •Severe skin and/or mucous membrane reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme)
- •Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) – a group of problems that can happen during cancer treatment when dead cancer cells release substances, causing symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, seizures, cloudy urine, and tiredness, along with abnormal lab tests. This can lead to kidney problems and acute kidney failure.
- •Abnormal breakdown of muscle cells (rhabdomyolysis) that can lead to kidney problems
- •Abnormal brain changes (posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome) that can cause symptoms like headache, confusion, seizures, and vision loss
- •Painful skin sores (pyoderma gangrenosum)
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Thyroid inflammation
- •Damage to small blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy, TMA)
Important Warnings
- Do not use Sunitinib Avansor if you are allergic to sunitinib or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- This medicine can raise your blood pressure. Your doctor will check it regularly and may give you medicine to lower it if needed.
- Tell your doctor if you have blood disorders, bleeding problems, or bruise easily. This medicine can increase your risk of bleeding or affect your blood cells. If you take blood thinners, the risk is higher. Tell your doctor if you experience any bleeding.
- This medicine can cause heart problems, including irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor if you feel very tired, short of breath, or if your feet and ankles swell.
- If you have had blood clots, stroke, or heart attack recently, contact your doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, arm pain, back pain, neck or jaw pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness on one side of your body, trouble speaking, headache, or dizziness.
Show 9 more warnings
- This medicine can affect your thyroid. Tell your doctor if you feel more tired than usual, feel colder than others, or if your voice gets deeper.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver problems. During treatment, tell your doctor if you get itchy skin, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or pain in the upper right side of your stomach.
- Contact your doctor and dentist right away if you have or have had pain in your mouth, teeth, or jaw, swelling or sores inside your mouth, numbness or a heavy feeling in your jaw, or loose teeth.
- This medicine can cause serious skin problems or infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop painful skin sores, skin infections, fever, pain, redness, swelling, pus, bleeding, or a rash with red, target-like spots or blisters, especially on your body.
- If you have had seizures, tell your doctor right away if you experience high blood pressure, headache, or vision loss.
- If you have diabetes, your blood sugar should be checked regularly. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of low blood sugar, such as tiredness, fast heartbeat, sweating, hunger, or fainting.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. Use reliable birth control during treatment. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
- This medicine can make you dizzy or very tired. Be careful when driving or operating machinery.