Sutent 50mg vs 37.5mg

Good Morning!

My husband started on 50 mg in January 2013.  He became very ill...partly due to the Sutent, partly due to a virus.  He was put on 25 mg for 2 weeks, and tolerated it much better.  He took a 2 week break, then went on 37.5 mg.  He had some minimal tumor shrinkage in April...remained on 37.5...scans in July and October showed significant shrinkage.  He continues on that dosage and has been stable (no shrinkage, but no growth!).  So, in our case, yes, the recduced dosage was effective and the side effects have been more manageable. 

Another consideration:  Sutent can cause problems with your thyroid that can cause severe fatigue.  Has your doctor checked your thyroid function?

That said, talk to your doctor.  Everyone is different and responds differently.  It is sometimes a game of "trial and error" to find the drug/dosage that will give you effectiveness and side effects that are tolerable.                                         ~Sharon

vccortes713 said:

Thank you Sharon that was

Thank you Sharon that was very helpful....I will go then for 37.5mgand will have my thyroid check.....

The reduction to 37.5 two weeks on, one week off has resulted in 8 months of much more manageable side effects, and has effected shrinkage in lung mets for me... all ct/pet scans have confirmed no new mets... taking the thryoid medication has licked the extreme fatigue issue too... hope the throid check and the reduction in dosage will work for you too....   go for it...

I tolerated 3 or 4 cycles of 50 mg before dropping to 37.5

I am in cycle 16. I am in a Nivolumab trial, so I am restricted to 4 on 2 off. I also take thyroid and Blood pressure medicine now, dirextly related to Sutent.

You have to be healthy to fight the cancer. Too much, and you can't help fight.

Darron said:

50 to 37.5

I tolerated 3 or 4 cycles of 50 mg before dropping to 37.5

I am in cycle 16. I am in a Nivolumab trial, so I am restricted to 4 on 2 off. I also take thyroid and Blood pressure medicine now, dirextly related to Sutent.

You have to be healthy to fight the cancer. Too much, and you can't help fight.

Metestatic Renal Cell carcinoma. Kidney removed summer 13. IL2 treatment August - November 2013.I've been on Stutent since September. My lumps have stopped growing. Side effects are getting me down somewhat so any suggestions?

Fatigue (taking meds for Thyroid/Blood pressure.

Dry skin

Dry mouth, livable irriitants.

Catastrophic diahrrea is the one that really gets me. Taking immodium and Welchol. Any suggestions?

Bellweather said:

What works for me

Fatigue is a tough one to beat but as for the others:

Dry skin- utter cream (cow hide tube). 

Dry mouth- biotene moisturizing mouth spray

Diarrhea- lomotil / diphenoxylate-atrop 2.5mg (px)

I use the lomotil 2x daily when taking sutent andnforna few days after.  I also take my 50mg before bed and sleep through the first 6 to 8 hrs of the dose, It works for me, I hope it helps you.

 

 

I'll have a word with my doc

Dec. 2010 found tumor on left kidney. Jan 2011 removed left kidney. April 2013 found 2 lesions in brain, suspect metastasis. Underwent Game Knife Radial Surgery.

Lesions have reduced. Aug. 2015 found malignant tumor in descending colon. Sept. 2015 removed about 15" of descending colon. Nov. 2015 ct scan revealed slight growth in existing lymph nodes, began oral Votrient. Jan. 2016 side effects too harsh, switched to Sutent 50mg 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off. 

April 2016, taste, diarrhea, fatigue and energy levels still pretty ugly so went on 50mg 2 weeks on, 1 week off.

June 2016 side effects were tolerable as long as I was in my recliner, but as I still work full time, things were still awkward at work regarding the diarrhea and fatigue, so was switched to 37.5mg 2 weeks on 1 week off.

Almost immediate improvement to taste. I was so happy I could enjoy a pizza again. Diarrhea improved and under control with imodium, Not as tired at work, but did take occasional naps at home after work. Although, have to say that muscle spasms and joint pain popped up, as well as dizzyness when bending over. Will be talking to the doctor about going to 25 mg.

Through all this, scans and brain MRI's have been positive and shown reduction.