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If your loved one has GIST, there are many ways you can help. The tools in this section were created to help you be a full partner in your loved one's care. That's where the SUTENT^® Treatment Partners Program comes in.

SUTENT Treatment Partners

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Become someone’s Treatment Partner.

Your loved one may ask you to be his or her Treatment Partner. Or you can suggest it by sending an invitation from this site.

Step 2: Your Treatment Partner shares information with you.

There’s a section on this site with tools to help patients manage their treatment. They can then share this information with you so you can be involved.

Step 3: You use tools from this site to help support your Treatment Partner.

The tools in this section were created specifically for caregivers. They can help you give your loved one support during treatment.

NEXT: Become a Treatment Partner

SUTENT is used to treat GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor). This is a rare cancer of the stomach, bowel, or esophagus. SUTENT is used when the medicine Gleevec^® (imatinib mesylate) did not stop the cancer from growing or when you cannot take Gleevec.

Important safety information

SUTENT may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. If you do, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking SUTENT. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT.

SUTENT may cause heart problems. Tell your doctor if you feel very tired, are short of breath, feel faint or dizzy, or have swollen feet and ankles.

In rare cases, SUTENT may cause a hole in the stomach or bowel wall or bleeding from the tumor. This could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting or coughing blood, and black, sticky stools. Your doctor can tell you other symptoms to watch for.

SUTENT may increase blood pressure. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, and may treat you for it.

SUTENT may interact with other treatments or products. Tell your doctor or nurse about each medicine, vitamin, or herbal product that you use. Do not take St. John's Wort, eat grapefruit, or drink grapefruit juice while taking SUTENT.

You may have side effects or reactions to SUTENT. For most patients, these are moderate and may be managed, though some can be serious. Your doctor may change your dose or stop your treatment. Some of the most common side effects include fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation, skin or hair changes, taste changes, swelling, loss of appetite, and bleeding, such as from the nose or cuts. Call your doctor if you have any swelling or bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse about any new side effects you have, as well as any change or increase in any side effect.

Gleevec is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.

Pfizer is a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program.

Please see full prescribing information.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

This product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.