How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma™
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma™ puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Sutent?
Sutent (generic name: sunitinib malate) is an FDA-approved brand-name prescription drug for the treatment of certain types of cancer including:
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, advanced
- Renal cell carcinoma, adjuvant treatment
- Renal cell carcinoma, advanced
- Soft tissue sarcoma, non-GIST
- Thyroid cancer, refractory
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
How Sutent Is Supplied
Sutent is a kinase inhibitor and contains the active ingredient sunitinib. Sutent is available in a capsule formulation and is available in the following strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, and 50 mg doses. Sutent is typically administered orally once per day as directed by your doctor.
What Is Sutent Used To Treat?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of prescription medications like Sutent to treat a wide range of illnesses and diseases, such as the types of cancers listed above. In addition, Sutent may be used for conditions not specifically mentioned on the product label.
Pancreatic Cancer
Sutent has been FDA-approved to treat neuroendocrine pancreas tumors (pNETs). pNETs begin in the cells of the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. In order to use Sutent, pNETs must grow slowly and resemble normal cells, and they must also be incurable (irremovable via surgery). In addition, pNETs must be localized (close to the pancreas) or have spread to the other parts of the body (metastatic).
Adjuvant Therapy For Kidney Cancer
Patients who have undergone nephrectomy and have been diagnosed with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are candidates for Sutent treatment. Sutent has been FDA-approved for RCC adjuvant therapy, to help reduce cancer recurrence after primary treatment has been completed.
Kidney Cancer
The advanced form of renal cell carcinoma, also known as kidney cancer, can be treated with Sutent. Renal cell carcinoma usually starts in tubule-lining cells. These tumors form when these cells cluster together into a group of cells. If a patient has advanced RCC, the cancer may have spread to other organs.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare digestive system cancers. They often begin in the digestive tract lining, most often in the stomach or small intestine. Tumors can also form in other parts of the digestive system.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Sutent Dosage
There are a number of factors that will determine what Sutent dose your doctor recommends for you:
- Different medications that you’re currently using
- Other health issues that you may be experiencing
- The diagnosis that you will be taking Sutent for, and the severity of your condition
Pancreatic Cancer Dosage
When treating advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Sutent is typically given once daily at a dosage of 37.5 mg, with continuous daily dosing until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Sutent Dosage for Kidney Cancer
Sutent is typically administered at a dosage of 50 mg once daily for 4 weeks when treating advanced RCC.
Sutent Dosage for Gastrointestinal Cancer
Sutent is typically administered at 50 mg once daily for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks without medication (6-week cycle) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
What Happens If I Forget To Take a Dose?
Immediately take a missed Sutent dose if it has been less than 12 hours from the scheduled dose. After 12 hours, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double dose.
Sutent Side Effects
Sutent does have some mild to severe side effects, as listed below.
Mild Side Effects
- Mild rash
- Changes in skin or hair color
- Hand-foot syndrome (swelling or redness in the feet or hands)
- Taste changes
- High blood pressure
- Mild sores and swelling in the mouth
- Digestive system problems, including decreased appetite, acid reflux, belly pain, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea
- Fatigue or weakness
Some of the listed side effects may subside in days to weeks, but if symptoms worsen, it is important to see a doctor or contact your pharmacist.
Severe Side Effects
The severe side effects listed here are serious and may be life-threatening. Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms below:
- Liver toxicity
- Allergic reaction with swelling of the face, throat, or tongue; trouble breathing; or passing out
- High blood pressure with the following symptoms:
- Vision problems
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Brain swelling caused by a condition known as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Some of the symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Changes in vision
- Impaired wound healing, such as frequent infections or slow healing.
- Osteonecrosis (bone cell death) in the jaw. Symptoms can include:
- Infection
- Swelling
- Pain
- Low blood sugar. Symptoms can include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Change in heart rate or rhythm
- Sweating
- Thyroid hormonal changes such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Symptoms can include:
- Change in menstrual periods
- Hair loss
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Racing heartbeat
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome and other life-threatening skin reactions. Possible symptoms are:
- Body or joint aches
- Bumps or sores
- Itching
- Purple or red rash with peeling skin or blisters
- Proteinuria (a lot of protein in the urine and possible damage to the kidneys). Symptoms may include:
- Swollen hands, feet, face, or abdomen
- Frequent urination
- Foamy urine
- Thrombotic microangiopathy (clots in the blood and damaged blood vessels). Symptoms may include:
- Confusion
- Producing less urine
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Acute kidney failure
- Decreased number of red blood cells
- Tumor lysis syndrome (ailment brought on by cancer cells releasing poisons into the blood). Possible symptoms are:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Acute kidney failure
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Intestinal or stomach tears or holes, associated with pain in the belly area
- Heart problems including abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, heart attack, and heart failure. Symptoms may include:
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Swelling of feet or ankles
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding problems. Some possible symptoms are:
- Painful, swollen belly
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine or stool
- Bleeding gums
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising easily
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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