Sutent (sunitinib) is a prescription drug used to treat renal cell carcinoma and certain other types of cancer. Sutent can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include diarrhea and skin reactions.

Specifically, Sutent is used in certain situations in adults to treat:

The active ingredient in Sutent is sunitinib. The drug comes as an oral capsule.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Sutent can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Sutent has a boxed warning for the risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Sutent treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • weakness or fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • mouth sores
  • nausea and vomiting
  • reduced appetite

Mild side effects have been reported with Sutent. These include:

  • weakness or fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • nausea and vomiting
  • mouth sores
  • change in sense of taste
  • reduced appetite
  • hand-foot syndrome*
  • change in skin or hair color
  • bruising or bleeding easily

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Sutent treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Sutent may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Serious side effects have been reported with Sutent, although they’re not common. These include:

  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems, including heart failure, heart attack, and long QT syndrome (a type of abnormal heart rhythm)
  • serious bleeding, such as in the digestive system or urinary tract
  • tears or holes in the lining of the stomach or intestine
  • thyroid problems
  • protein in the urine, which may be a sign of kidney problems
  • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
  • thrombotic microangiopathy (blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body, especially in the kidneys)
  • tumor lysis syndrome (a serious condition caused by the breakdown of cancer cells)
  • reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS, which is a condition that causes swelling in the brain)
  • osteonecrosis of the jaw (breakdown of bone tissue in the jaw)
  • problems with wound healing
  • severe skin side effects*
  • boxed warning: liver damage*

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sutent, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Sutent, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Sutent can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Sutent treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Sutent, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Sutent’s side effects.

How long do Sutent side effects take to start?

The amount of time it takes for Sutent side effects to start after beginning treatment can vary between people and depends on the side effects. Keep in mind that not everyone will have side effects with Sutent.

Some people may have side effects that start as soon as they start taking Sutent. Others may have side effects that start after they’ve been taking the drug for some time. Whether you will have side effects and when they might start can depend on many different factors. These include your health history and how your body responds to the medication.

If you experience side effects with Sutent, talk with your doctor as soon as you notice them.

Do Sutent’s side effects vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat?

Sutent can cause similar side effects in people who take the drug for different conditions. But how likely you are to have side effects may vary depending on what condition you take the drug for.

If you have questions about side effects you may have when taking Sutent for RCC, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Sutent may cause.

Liver damage

Sutent has a boxed warning for the risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sutent can cause liver damage that can lead to liver failure and even death. Liver failure was a rare side effect reported in studies of Sutent.

Liver damage may cause symptoms such as:

  • pain on the right side of your abdomen
  • nausea and vomiting
  • dark-colored urine
  • bruising or bleeding easily
  • confusion
  • fatigue
  • itching
  • jaundice (yellowing of your skin* or the whites of your eyes)

* Note: Sutent can also cause yellowing of your skin due to the yellow color of the drug.

What might help

During treatment with Sutent, your doctor will order frequent blood tests to check the levels of liver enzymes in your blood. These are called liver function tests. Raised levels of liver enzymes can be a sign of liver damage.

If you have symptoms of liver damage during Sutent treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely order blood tests to check your liver function.

If your liver function tests or symptoms suggest Sutent may be damaging your liver, your doctor may reduce your Sutent dosage. Or they may have you stop taking Sutent completely.

If you have questions about the risk of liver damage with Sutent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Severe skin side effects

Sutent can have side effects that affect your skin, such as rash or itching. These are usually mild. But in some cases, Sutent can cause severe or even life threatening skin reactions. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and erythema multiforme.

Severe skin reactions were a rare side effect reported in studies of Sutent.

Severe skin reactions may cause symptoms such as:

  • severe rash
  • blisters
  • peeling skin
  • painful sores on the skin, genitals, lips, or inside the mouth
  • fever

What might help

If you have symptoms of a severe skin reaction while taking Sutent, talk with your doctor right away. Severe skin reactions usually need to be treated in the hospital.

If you have a severe skin reaction, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Sutent.

If you have questions about the risk of severe skin reactions with Sutent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Hand-foot syndrome

Hand-foot syndrome was a common side effect reported in studies of Sutent. With this side effect, you have changes to the skin on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.

Hand-foot syndrome can cause the following symptoms on your palms or soles:

  • changes in color (skin may become darker, red, or discolored)
  • swelling
  • tingling, itching, or pain
  • peeling, cracking, or blistering

Heat, pressure, and friction can make these symptoms worse.

What might help

If you have symptoms of hand-foot syndrome during your Sutent treatment, consider the following options to help manage your symptoms:

  • use cool water when washing your hands and feet
  • use cold compresses or ice packs on your wrists and ankles
  • gently moisturize your hands and feet on a regular basis
  • wear loose cotton gloves and socks to protect your skin
  • avoid walking barefoot and wearing tight-fitting shoes and gloves
  • avoid sun exposure

Talk with your doctor if these measures don’t help or if your symptoms are painful or bothersome. They may recommend using pain relievers, steroid creams, or other treatments.

If you have questions about hand-foot syndrome with Sutent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Sutent treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Sutent affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Sutent.

Boxed warning: Risk of liver damage

Sutent has a boxed warning for the risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other warnings

Sutent can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Sutent is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Sutent. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • kidney problems
  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems, such as heart failure, slow heart rate, or abnormal heart rhythm
  • past heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
  • electrolyte disturbances, such as low potassium levels
  • bleeding problems
  • diabetes
  • thyroid problems
  • previous allergic reaction to Sutent
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption
  • dental problems or upcoming dental procedures
  • recent or upcoming surgeries

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.