Sutent capsules 12.5 mg for cancer (sunitinib malate)

General information on Japanese Sutent capsules 12.5 mg for cancer (sunitinib malate)

Package details: 56 capsules

Manufacturer: Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Inc., Japan

Active ingredient: sunitinib malate (chemical formula C26H33FN4O7)

Medical effect: Sutent capsules are effective for the treatment of several forms of cancer including following:

• imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor,
• radically unresectable renal cell carcinoma,
• metastatic renal cell carcinoma,
• pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use for patients with cardiac disorder such as cardiac failure.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop taking the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication, please consult with your doctor before use.

As this medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness, pay close attention to working at heights or operating dangerous machinery, such as driving a car.

Avoid taking any food containing St. John's or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Dosage and administration of Sutent capsules 12.5 mg from Japan for cancer (sunitinib malate)

For imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor and radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma: for adults, take 4 capsules (50 mg of sunitinib) at a time, once a day for consecutive 4 weeks. Then, discontinue taking this medicine for 2 weeks, then repeat the course of the treatment. The dosage may be adjusted by the doctor in charge according to the patient’s condition.

For pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: for adults, take 3 capsules (37.5 mg of sunitinib) at a time, once a day. The dosage may be adjusted by the doctor in charge according to the patient’s condition. However, the daily dosage of 4 capsules (50 mg) once a day should not be exceeded.

How effective are Sutent capsules 12.5 mg from Japan for cancer (sunitinib malate)?

Sutent capsules contain sunitinib malate, an orally bioavailable malate salt of the sunitinib, an indolinone-based tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It works by suppressing the receptor associated with tumor proliferation and vascularization. Also, Sutent capsules inhibits the phosphorylation of another receptor tyrosine kinase expressed by some leukemic cells.

Who should take Sutent capsules 12.5 mg from Japan?

Sutent capsules are designed to treat the certain forms of cancer. They are effective for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with disease progression in adults. Currently, it’s the only alternative to imatinib for patients with imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Sutent capsules significantly reduce the relative risk of disease progression or death due to this disease (G. D. Demetri, A. T. van Oosterom et al. "Efficacy and safety of sunitinib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour after failure of imatinib: a randomised controlled trial". Lancet, 2006, 368 (9544): 1329–1338). Also, this medicine is effective for the treatment of radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, causing tumor shrinkage, prolonging the life of patients with metastases and improving their quality of life.