SUNITINIB MALATE

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc

Sunitinib Malate Adverse Events: High Serious Reaction Rate

93,209 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About SUNITINIB MALATE

SUNITINIB MALATE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. Based on analysis of 93,209 FDA adverse event reports, SUNITINIB MALATE has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for SUNITINIB MALATE include DEATH, DIARRHOEA, FATIGUE, DISEASE PROGRESSION, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for SUNITINIB MALATE.

AI Safety Analysis

Sunitinib Malate has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 93,209 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Death, Diarrhoea, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 77.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High incidence of serious reactions, particularly death and disease progression.

Significant gastrointestinal and hematological adverse events reported. Common reactions include fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite.

Patients taking Sunitinib Malate should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Sunitinib Malate can cause significant hematological and gastrointestinal side effects, and patients should be monitored closely for these issues. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematological agents, should be considered. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Sunitinib Malate received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 77.1% serious event ratio across 38,962 classified reports. The score accounts for 93,209 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DEATH7,365 reports
DIARRHOEA4,413 reports
FATIGUE4,186 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION3,911 reports
NAUSEA3,120 reports
ASTHENIA2,455 reports
DECREASED APPETITE2,315 reports
VOMITING2,208 reports
NEOPLASM PROGRESSION2,021 reports
HYPERTENSION1,801 reports
DYSGEUSIA1,695 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,587 reports
MALAISE1,581 reports
STOMATITIS1,463 reports
PALMAR PLANTAR ERYTHRODYSAESTHESIA SYNDROME1,454 reports
DYSPNOEA1,332 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,331 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED1,329 reports
PAIN1,289 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,277 reports
ORAL PAIN1,145 reports
PYREXIA1,076 reports
DEHYDRATION1,069 reports
RASH1,024 reports
ANAEMIA1,022 reports
HEADACHE1,021 reports
CONSTIPATION1,010 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,001 reports
RENAL CELL CARCINOMA976 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN902 reports
DIZZINESS846 reports
DYSPEPSIA833 reports
OFF LABEL USE819 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED780 reports
DRY SKIN772 reports
METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA761 reports
EPISTAXIS755 reports
BLISTER735 reports
YELLOW SKIN679 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE664 reports
HYPOTHYROIDISM664 reports
PNEUMONIA659 reports
COUGH654 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION643 reports
SKIN EXFOLIATION633 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER630 reports
AGEUSIA623 reports
BACK PAIN619 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT613 reports
RENAL CANCER589 reports
GLOSSODYNIA588 reports
NEOPLASM MALIGNANT581 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION580 reports
ARTHRALGIA572 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED545 reports
ERYTHEMA522 reports
PRURITUS517 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL512 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE511 reports
FALL510 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION503 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING496 reports
RENAL FAILURE484 reports
DRY MOUTH478 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE475 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED471 reports
HAIR COLOUR CHANGES465 reports
NEUTROPENIA459 reports
INSOMNIA458 reports
SKIN DISCOLOURATION457 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL448 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION436 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOUR435 reports
HYPOTENSION435 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION417 reports
CHEST PAIN414 reports
ASCITES411 reports
DYSPHAGIA400 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION398 reports
HAEMORRHAGE392 reports
ALOPECIA390 reports
FLATULENCE388 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE371 reports
SOMNOLENCE359 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED355 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE350 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION349 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED340 reports
OSTEONECROSIS OF JAW340 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION316 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS314 reports
CHILLS306 reports
PANCYTOPENIA299 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS293 reports
SECOND PRIMARY MALIGNANCY293 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN289 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT287 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS284 reports
BONE MARROW FAILURE283 reports
SWELLING FACE283 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Death and disease progression are among the most serious reactions.
  • Hematological issues such as decreased platelet count and thrombocytopenia are frequent.
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting are commonly reported.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 23,228, Female: 12,429, Unknown: 271. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (1,045 reports), age 68 (984 reports), age 66 (968 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 38,962 classified reports for SUNITINIB MALATE:

  • Serious: 30,040 reports (77.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 8,922 reports (22.9%)
Serious 77.1%Non-Serious 22.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male23,228 (64.7%)
Female12,429 (34.6%)
Unknown271 (0.8%)

Reports by Age

Age 651,045 reports
Age 68984 reports
Age 66968 reports
Age 70968 reports
Age 67951 reports
Age 60943 reports
Age 71916 reports
Age 69914 reports
Age 64906 reports
Age 62904 reports
Age 63887 reports
Age 72868 reports
Age 61836 reports
Age 73811 reports
Age 58795 reports
Age 59775 reports
Age 74745 reports
Age 75744 reports
Age 57723 reports
Age 56659 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Sunitinib Malate can cause significant hematological and gastrointestinal side effects, and patients should be monitored closely for these issues. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematological agents, should be considered.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Sunitinib Malate, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include death, diarrhoea, fatigue, disease progression, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor hematological parameters. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA has issued warnings regarding the serious nature of adverse events associated with Sunitinib Malate. Healthcare providers should closely monitor patients and adjust dosing as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Sunitinib Malate?

The FDA has received approximately 93,209 adverse event reports associated with Sunitinib Malate. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Sunitinib Malate?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Sunitinib Malate include Death, Diarrhoea, Fatigue, Disease Progression, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Death (7,365 reports), Diarrhoea (4,413 reports), Fatigue (4,186 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Sunitinib Malate.

What percentage of Sunitinib Malate adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 38,962 classified reports, 30,040 (77.1%) were classified as serious and 8,922 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Sunitinib Malate (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Sunitinib Malate break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 23,228, Female: 12,429, Unknown: 271. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Sunitinib Malate?

The most frequently reported age groups for Sunitinib Malate adverse events are: age 65: 1,045 reports, age 68: 984 reports, age 66: 968 reports, age 70: 968 reports, age 67: 951 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Sunitinib Malate?

The primary manufacturer associated with Sunitinib Malate adverse event reports is Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Sunitinib Malate?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Sunitinib Malate include: Asthenia, Decreased Appetite, Vomiting, Neoplasm Progression, Hypertension. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Sunitinib Malate?

You can report adverse events from Sunitinib Malate to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Sunitinib Malate's safety score and what does it mean?

Sunitinib Malate has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High incidence of serious reactions, particularly death and disease progression.

What are the key safety signals for Sunitinib Malate?

Key safety signals identified in Sunitinib Malate's adverse event data include: Death and disease progression are among the most serious reactions.. Hematological issues such as decreased platelet count and thrombocytopenia are frequent.. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting are commonly reported.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Sunitinib Malate interact with other drugs?

Sunitinib Malate can cause significant hematological and gastrointestinal side effects, and patients should be monitored closely for these issues. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematological agents, should be considered. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Sunitinib Malate.

What should patients know before taking Sunitinib Malate?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor hematological parameters.

Are Sunitinib Malate side effects well-documented?

Sunitinib Malate has 93,209 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Significant gastrointestinal and hematological adverse events reported. The volume of reports for Sunitinib Malate reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Sunitinib Malate?

The FDA has issued warnings regarding the serious nature of adverse events associated with Sunitinib Malate. Healthcare providers should closely monitor patients and adjust dosing as necessary. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to SUNITINIB MALATE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

ImatinibSorafenibRegorafenib
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.