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Sutent vs. Nexavar

Are Sutent and Nexavar the Same Thing?

Sutent (sunitinib malate) and Nexavar (sorafenib) are cancer (chemotherapeutic) medications used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Sutent is also used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumor after disease progression on, or intolerance to imatinib mesylate, and for progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease.

Nexavar is also used to treat liver cancer.

Side effects of Sutent and Nexavar that are similar include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset or pain, dry skin or cracked skin, hair loss/hair thinning, tiredness, diarrhea, skin rash, and loss of appetite.

Side effects of Sutent that are different from Nexavar include unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, cough, constipation, changes in skin or hair color (yellow skin or lighter skin/hair), joint pain, back pain, fatigue, weakness, fever, mouth pain/sores, abdominal pain, blisters or rash on hands or feet, pain or swelling in the arms or legs, numbness or tingling of the arms or legs, shortness of breath, bleeding, watery eyes, swelling around the eyes, chest pain, general ill feeling, and uneven heart rate.

Side effects of Nexavar that are different from Sutent include acne, itching, dry mouth, and hoarseness.

Both Sutent and Nexavar may interact with dexamethasone, St. John's wort, and seizure medications.

Sutent may also interact with imatinib, isoniazid, nefazodone, antibiotics, antifungals, barbiturates, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, medicines to treat narcolepsy, medications to treat osteoporosis or Paget's disease of bone, and grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

Nexavar may also interact with warfarin, rifampin, and other cancer medications.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Sutent?

Common side effects of Sutent include:

Side effects of Sutent include:

  • unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • cough
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • upset stomach
  • constipation
  • dry skin
  • changes in skin or hair color (yellow skin or lighter skin/hair)
  • hair loss
  • joint pain
  • back pain
  • fatigue
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • fever
  • diarrhea
  • mouth pain/sores
  • abdominal pain
  • rash or other skin changes such as dry or cracked skin
  • blisters or rash on hands or feet
  • loss of appetite
  • pain or swelling in the arms or legs
  • numbness or tingling of the arms or legs
  • shortness of breath
  • bleeding
  • watery eyes
  • swelling around the eyes
  • chest pain
  • general ill feeling, or
  • uneven heart rate.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Sutent including:

  • headache,
  • easy bruising or bleeding,
  • swelling ankles or feet,
  • unusual weight changes,
  • cold or heat intolerance,
  • unusual tiredness,
  • black or bloody stools,
  • vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
  • coughing up blood,
  • slow wound healing,
  • jaw pain,
  • toe/joint/back pain,
  • painful urination,
  • cloudy/pink/bloody urine,
  • changes in the amount of urine,
  • muscle weakness/cramping/twitching,
  • signs of low blood sugar (such as hunger, shakiness, fast heartbeat, sweating),
  • mental/mood changes (such as decreased alertness, irritability, nervousness), or
  • vision changes (such as decreased vision).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Nexavar?

Common side effects of Nexavar include:

Tell your doctor if you notice skin problems (such as rash, blisters, redness, swelling, pain), especially on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet while using Nexavar.

What Is Sutent?

Sutent (sunitinib malate) is a multi-kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor after disease progression on, or intolerance to imatinib mesylate, for advanced renal cell carcinoma, and for progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. Sutent is available in generic form.

What Is Nexavar?

Nexavar (sorafenib) is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication used to treat a type of kidney cancer called advanced renal cell carcinoma. Nexavar is also used to treat liver cancer.

What Drugs Interact With Sutent?

Sutent may interact with dexamethasone, imatinib, isoniazid, nefazodone, St. John's wort, antibiotics, antifungals, barbiturates, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, medicines to treat narcolepsy, medications to treat osteoporosis or Paget's disease of bone, seizure medications, or grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With Nexavar?

Nexavar may interact with warfarin, dexamethasone, rifampin, St. John's wort, seizure medication, or other cancer medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

How Should Sutent be Taken?

The recommended dose of Sutent (strengths available are 12.5, 25 and 50mg tablets). Sutent may be taken without food. Dose modification depends on the type of cancer treated and is determined by the treating doctor. Severe side effects include hepatotoxicity.

How Should Nexavar be Taken?

The recommended daily dose of Nexavar is 400 mg (2 x 200 mg tablets) taken twice daily without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal).