apollo
logo
0
Select Delivery Location
compositionComposition:SUNITINIB-12.5MG
prescription
Prescription Medicine
info

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is used to treat cancer of the stomach, bowel, oesophagus, kidney, and hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. It contains sunitinib which works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as dry mouth, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and loss of appetite. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Read more
Written By Santoshini Reddy G , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
OffersOffers & Discounts

Get Free delivery (₹99) with circle icon

Join Circle
Get Extra 18% Off with Coupons
Extra 10% Off with Bank Offers
bank offer
bank offer
bank offer

More about the Product

Composition :

SUNITINIB-12.5MG

Manufacturer/Marketer :

Aureate Healthcare

Consume Type :

Oral

Expires on or after :

Dec-28

Return Policy :

Not Returnable

About Sunitax 12.5 Capsule

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of advanced cancers, including gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), advanced kidney cancer, and progressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. It works by targeting specific proteins to help slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. This medication is designed to manage complex conditions under the strict supervision of a healthcare specialist.

You should take this medication consistently once daily, either with or without food. It is helpful to take it at the same time every day to maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body. Making specific lifestyle adjustments, such as maintaining gentle physical activity and staying well-hydrated, can support your body during treatment.

While taking Sunitax 12.5 Capsule, you may experience some common side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhoea, and skin changes. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious symptoms like severe chest pain, unusual bleeding, or signs of liver damage. Regular monitoring by your healthcare team is essential to keep you safe during therapy.

Before starting this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or thyroid issues. Do not take this if you have severe, uncontrolled medical conditions or are allergic to any of its ingredients. Your doctor will carefully review your health profile to ensure it is safe for you.

This medication can interact with other medicines, such as certain anti-seizure drugs and specific antibiotics, which can change how well the treatment works. You should also avoid drinking alcohol or smoking, as they can worsen side effects like fatigue or stomach irritation. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits before starting treatment.

Uses of Sunitax 12.5 Capsule

Your doctor may prescribe Sunitax 12.5 Capsule for several specific conditions:

  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): This medicine helps treat this rare stomach and intestinal cancer when other primary treatments have stopped working or cannot be tolerated.
  • Advanced renal cell carcinoma: It is used to treat advanced kidney cancer by slowing the progression of the disease.
  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: This medication treats progressive, well-differentiated tumours in the pancreas that cannot be removed by surgery or have spread to other parts of the body.

Key Benefits

This medication offers clinical benefits that help manage advanced conditions:

  • Slowing tumour progression: By cutting off the signals that help tumours grow, this medicine can keep the cancer from spreading or getting worse for longer periods.
  • Targeting cancer cells directly: Unlike broad chemotherapy, this therapy focuses on specific proteins, which helps limit damage to healthy cells.
  • Convenient oral administration: Because it is a capsule taken by mouth, you can take your treatment at home without needing frequent hospital visits for infusions.

Directions for Use

  • Take Sunitax 12.5 Capsule with or without food as advised by your doctor.
  • Typically, Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is taken once daily for 28 days, followed by a 2-week break. This cycle is repeated every 6 weeks, as recommended by your doctor. However, always follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage and duration.
  • Swallow the capsule as a whole with a glass of water.
  • Do not open, crush or dissolve Sunitax 12.5 Capsule.

How Sunitax 12.5 Capsule Works

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule contains sunitinib, which belongs to a group of medicines known as multi-kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the activity of specific proteins called receptor tyrosine kinases, which are found on the surface of cancer cells and blood vessels. These proteins act like switches that tell cancer cells to grow and divide. By blocking these proteins, Sunitax 12.5 Capsule performs two main actions. First, it prevents the cancer cells from multiplying directly. Second, it stops the growth of new blood vessels that feed the tumour, effectively starving the tumour of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. This dual action helps control the spread of the disease.
bannner image

Alcohol

Caution

Do not consume alcohol as it can increase the risk of side-effects.

bannner image

Pregnancy

Unsafe

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby when used in pregnant women. It is also advised to use reliable contraception to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.

bannner image

Breast Feeding

Unsafe

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause harmful effects to the nursing baby when given to breastfeeding mothers. Consult your doctor before using Sunitax 12.5 Capsule.

bannner image

Driving

Caution

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

bannner image

Liver

Caution

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The doctor may monitor liver function during the treatment.

bannner image

Kidney

Caution

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The doctor may monitor kidney function during the treatment.

bannner image

Children

Unsafe

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is not recommended for children and adolescents below the age of 18 years.

bannner image

Heart

Caution

Inform your doctor if you have any existing heart disease. Your doctor will prescribe this medicine only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

bannner image

Geriatrics

Caution

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule should be given to elderly patients only if prescribed by a doctor. If you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.

What if I have taken an overdose of Sunitax 12.5 Capsule

If you take more than your prescribed dose, seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control centre immediately. Overdose can lead to severe side effects that require urgent medical care.

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Protect your skin: Use thick, fragrance-free moisturisers on your hands and feet daily to prevent dryness, cracking, and peeling. Avoid extremely hot water when bathing.
  • Practice gentle mouth care: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse your mouth regularly with a salt and baking soda solution to help prevent mouth sores. Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you experience diarrhoea, to prevent dehydration.
  • Monitor your blood pressure: Keep a daily log of your blood pressure readings at home, as this medicine can cause high blood pressure. Share these logs with your doctor.
health query

Have a query?

How Soon It Starts Working

The time required for Sunitax 12.5 Capsule to start to work: The time required for Sunitax 12.5 Capsule to show its action is unknown. The time for which the effects of Sunitax 12.5 Capsule last: The duration of action for Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is clinically unknown.

What if you forget to take Sunitax 12.5 Capsule

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if your next scheduled dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose completely and take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.

Storage

•Store this medicine at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F). •Keep the capsules in their original container, tightly closed, to protect them from moisture and light.

Drug Warnings

  • Inspect the Capsules Before Use: Do not take Sunitax 12.5 Capsule if the capsules are cracked, broken, leaking, or otherwise damaged.
  • Avoid Grapefruit Products: Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Sunitax 12.5 Capsule, as they can increase the amount of medicine in your body and raise the risk of side effects.
  • Use Effective Contraception: Use effective contraception during treatment and for the recommended period after your last dose, as Sunitax 12.5 Capsule can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about suitable birth control methods.
  • Inform Your Dentist: Tell your dentist that you are taking Sunitax 12.5 Capsule before any dental procedure, as the medicine may increase the risk of jaw bone problems, particularly if you are also receiving bisphosphonates.
  • Inform Healthcare Providers Before Surgery: Tell your doctor or surgeon that you are taking Sunitax 12.5 Capsule before any planned surgery, as treatment may need to be temporarily stopped to allow proper wound healing.

verifiedApollotooltip

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may interact with certain medicines, potentially affecting how it works or increasing the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

  • CYP3A4 inhibitors: Medicines like ketoconazole, clarithromycin, and certain antivirals can raise the levels of Sunitax 12.5 Capsule in your body, increasing the risk of severe side effects.
  • CYP3A4 inducers: Medicines like rifampin, phenytoin, and St. John's wort can lower the levels of Sunitax 12.5 Capsule, making your treatment less effective.
  • QT-prolonging drugs: Taking this with certain heart or psychiatric medicines can increase the risk of dangerous irregular heart rhythms.

Login/Sign Up

verifiedApollotooltip

Certain foods and drinks can affect the way Sunitax 12.5 Capsule works. Avoid or discuss the following with your doctor:

  • Grapefruit products: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice directly interfere with how your body breaks down this medicine, which can lead to dangerously high drug levels.

Login/Sign Up

Habit Forming

No

Therapeutic Class

[ANTINEOPLASTIC]

FAQs

Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumours (cancer of the stomach, bowel, or oesophagus), renal carcinoma (kidney cancer) and advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (cancer that has affected hormone-producing cells in the pancreas).
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule contains sunitinib which is an anti-cancer medicine. It acts by slowing down the growth of cancer cells by two processes. It interferes with the action of a protein that promotes cell division and thereby decreases cancer cell production. It can inhibit a process called angiogenesis, the development of blood supply to the cancer cells. This effect inhibits the nutrient supply to the cancer cells, thereby causing cancer cell's death eventually.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause thyroid dysfunction leading to decreasing in thyroid hormone levels. This effect cause hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. So, notify your doctor if you feel extreme tiredness, colder than others, or change in voice while using this medicine.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is not a cure for cancer. It can slow down cancer progression and prevent the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body. Also, the effects of the medicine differ for each patient based on age and health history.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule can be taken as long as it is prescribed to you. The duration of the therapy is determined by the doctor based on your health condition.
Yes, Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is considered chemotherapy. It is used to treat stomach cancer, advanced kidney cancer, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cancer of the pancreas's hormone-producing cells).
It is not known whether Sunitax 12.5 Capsule can be taken with other chemotherapy medicines. So, please consult a doctor for advice.
Take Sunitax 12.5 Capsule with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or break it. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may make your skin lighter and may also cause hair loss. Other skin-related effects include dryness, thickening, cracking, blisters, or rashes, particularly on the palms and soles. These side effects are usually reversible and resolve once Sunitax 12.5 Capsule is stopped. Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause severe skin reactions, such as a serious rash or rapidly spreading skin ulcers, which could be life-threatening. Therefore, if you experience any of these side effects, please consult your doctor immediately.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause serious liver problems, including potentially fatal complications. It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain in the upper right abdomen. To ensure your safety, your doctor will conduct blood tests to monitor liver function both before starting Sunitax 12.5 Capsule and throughout the treatment.
No, generics are not available for Sunitax 12.5 Capsule.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may reduce blood sugar levels. So, diabetic patients should be cautious as it may cause very low blood sugar resulting in unconsciousness. Also, regularly monitor blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fatigue, palpitations, sweating, hunger, or loss of consciousness
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may increase blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure during treatment and may prescribe medicines to help control it if necessary.
Sunitax 12.5 Capsule may cause side effects such as tiredness, pain, irritation, mouth sores, dry mouth, upset stomach, joint pain, back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dryness of skin, cough, fever, and sleep difficulty. These do not require any medical treatment as they will gradually reduce over time. Consult, your doctor if these side effects persist longer.
No, you must swallow the capsule whole. Opening, crushing, or chewing the capsule can alter how the medicine is absorbed and increase your risk of side effects. If you have difficulty swallowing, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine can cause a temporary, harmless yellowing of your skin and hair. However, if this is accompanied by yellowing of the whites of your eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain, it could be a sign of liver damage. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
You can take this medicine with or without food. The most important thing is to be consistent, if you choose to take it with food, continue to do so in the same way every day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
If you vomit after taking your capsule, do not take an extra dose to replace it. Simply wait and take your next scheduled dose at your normal time. Inform your healthcare team if vomiting becomes a frequent issue.
You should consult your doctor before planning any dental procedures. This medicine can affect bone healing in your jaw, so your doctor may advise you to pause the medication temporarily before and after dental surgery. Talk to your doctor or dentist for guidance.
It is best to avoid alcohol during treatment. Alcohol can worsen common side effects like dehydration, nausea, and fatigue, and can place additional stress on your liver. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use.

Disclaimer

While we strive to provide complete, accurate, and expert-reviewed content on our 'Platform', we make no warranties or representations and disclaim all responsibility and liability for the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the aforementioned content. The content on our platform is for informative purposes only, and may not cover all clinical/non-clinical aspects. Reliance on any information and subsequent action or inaction is solely at the user's risk, and we do not assume any responsibility for the same. The content on the Platform should not be considered or used as a substitute for professional and qualified medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any query pertaining to medicines, tests and/or diseases, as we support, and do not replace the doctor-patient relationship.

Country of origin

India
Other Info - SU29196
whatsapp Floating Button
Buy Now
Add to Cart