What is Lenvima?
Lenvima, a kinase inhibitor, is used to treat some types of cancer. Kinase inhibitors are enzyme inhibitors that block the action of protein kinases. This interferes with cancer cell growth and spread in the body.Lenvima can be used to treat cancer of the thyroid. It is usually given after radioactive iodine treatment has failed.Lenvima and everolimus (Afinitor), together with other cancer medicines, are used to treat advanced renal cancer after a previous treatment.Lenvima, pembrolizumab, and Keytruda are used to treat advanced renal cancer that has spread (metastatic) or is not able to be removed by surgery.Lenvima and Keytruda are also used to treat certain types of endometrial carcinoma, a type of uterine tumour that has advanced beyond the point where it can be treated with radiation or surgery.Lenvima can also be used to treat liver tumors that are not able to be removed by surgery.
Warnings
Some people who take Lenvima develop a fistula or perforation in the stomach or intestines. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe stomach pain or feel as if your intestines or stomach are being torn or ruptured.If you experience any of these serious side effects: chest pains, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness, confusion, severe headaches, difficulties with speech or vision, seizures, convulsions, unusual bleeding, bloody coughing, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, or jaundice,
Similar/related drugs
Keytruda, Avastin, Armour Thyroid, Medroxyprogesterone, Pembrolizumab, Megestrol, and Provera
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that you can take Lenvima safely:
- Heart disease High blood pressure
- A heart attack or heart failure;
- Headaches or vision problems
- Bleeding problems
- A perforation is a hole (or tear) in the stomach or intestines.
- A fistula is an abnormal passageway that connects parts of the body.
- A seizure disorder;
- If you have recently had surgery or plan to undergo a dental or surgical procedure,
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease.
Lenvima can cause jaw bone problems. ( Osteonecrosis). People with cancer, blood-cell disorders, dental problems, or those treated with chemotherapy or radiation are at the highest risk. Your doctor can tell you about your personal risk.Lenvatinib can harm an unborn child. A negative pregnancy test may be required before you begin this treatment. Use birth control during treatment and for 30 days following your last dose.Lenvima may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy for either the mother or father. Lenvatinib may harm a developing baby, so women should continue to use birth control.Lenvatinib can affect the fertility of men or women. While either parent is taking this medication, it may be difficult to get pregnant.Do not breastfeed for 1 week after the last dose of Lenvima.
How to take Lenvima?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions on the prescription label.Lenvima can be taken with or without food.Lenvima will be prescribed only if your doctor believes it is the best treatment for you.You may need to combine capsules containing different strengths of lenvatinib. Please follow your doctor's instructions for dosage.Do not open, crush, chew, or break the capsule.
If you are unable to swallow the capsule whole, then dissolve it in water.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of apple juice or water into a small cup.
- Only add enough capsules to make one dose of liquid. Stir the liquid for at least three minutes after the capsules have dissolved.
- This mixture should be consumed immediately. Pour a bit more water or fruit juice into the glass. Swirl gently, and drink immediately.
Lenvima is also available as a liquid that can be administered through a feeding device. Carefully read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medicine. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.If you have severe diarrhoea or nausea, call your doctor. A prolonged illness can cause dehydration or kidney failure.If you are experiencing diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids.Follow your doctor's instructions on when to take medicine to prevent diarrhoea if you are taking Lenvima.Regular blood pressure and medical tests are required.Take Lenvima with caution and pay special attention to dental hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss regularly.Tell your surgeon or dentist that you are currently taking Lenvima if you plan on having surgery or dental procedures. It may be necessary to stop using the medicine one week prior to a planned dental or surgical procedure.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.Use any medicine that has not been used within 24 hours in the fridge. Do not throw away any medication that hasn't been used in 24 hours.
Details on dosage
Adult dose of Lenvima:
Take 24 mg once daily.
Comment:
The treatment should continue until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Use: To treat patients with radioactive-iodine-resistant, locally recurrent, or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).
Adult dose of Lenvima used for renal cell carcinoma:
First-line treatment option for patients with advanced renal cell cancer:Every 3 weeks, 20 mg of pembrolizumab is given orally in combination with 200mg IV over 30 minutes.
Renal cell carcinoma that was previously treated:
Combination of 18 mg oral once daily with 5 mg oral once daily everolimus
Comments:
Refer to the prescribing information for everolimus for information on the recommended dosage.
Refer to the prescribing information for pembrolizumab for recommended dosage information.
Treatment with everolimus must be continued until the disease progresses or toxicity is unacceptable.
Treatment with pembrolizumab can be continued for up to two years or until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
After 2 years in combination with pembrolizumab, this drug can be used as monotherapy until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Uses:
Combining everolimus with antiangiogenic therapy for patients with advanced renal-cell carcinoma after one previous treatment
Combination with pembrolizumab as the first-line treatment for adult patients with advanced kidney cell carcinoma
Adult doses of Lenvima are used for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Weight less than 60 kg 8 mg once daily orally
Weight 60 kg and above: 12 mg once daily orally
Comment:
The treatment should continue until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Use: As the first-line therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Adult dose of Lenvima used for endometrial cancer:
Pembrolizumab 200mg IV every 3 weeks in combination with 20 mg oral once daily
Comments:
Refer to the prescribing information for pembrolizumab for additional dosing instructions.
The treatment should continue until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Use: Combined with pembrolizumab to treat patients with advanced endometrial cancer who do not have a microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or a mismatch repair deficient mutation (dMMR) and who are progressing after prior systemic treatment but do not qualify for curative surgery or radiotherapy.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose, take it immediately.However, if the missed dose is more than 12 hours old, you should skip it. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Side effects of Lenvima
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: itching; difficulty breathing; swelling in your face, lips, or throat;Lenvima can cause a fistula or perforation in the intestines or stomachs of some people. If you experience severe stomach pain or feel as if your intestines are being ripped apart, call your doctor.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Severe diarrhoea;
- Headache, confusion, weakness, vision loss, seizure (convulsions);
- Urinating less can cause pain or burning.
- Increased protein in urine (proteinuria);
- Heartbeats irregular;
- Unusual bleeding (nosebleeds or heavy menstrual blood) or any other bleeding that will not stop
- A severe headache can cause blurred vision or pounding in the neck and ears.
- After dental work, you may experience jaw pain, numbness, or red gums. You might also notice loose teeth or slow healing.
- Signs of stomach bleeding—bloody or tarry stool, coughing blood, or vomit that looks like coffee ground;
- Heart issues: chest pain, shoulder or jaw pain, swelling of your legs, feeling out of breath
- Signs of a blood clot: sudden numbness, weakness, or pain in the arms, back, or face; difficulty with speech or vision;
- Liver problems: dark urine, clay-coloured stools, yellowing of the skin and eyes; or
- Low calcium level: muscle contractions, numbness, or tingling (around the mouth, fingers, and toes).
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be stopped or delayed.
Lenvima may cause side effects such as:
- Bleeding;
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation;
- Loss of appetite weight loss
- Increased blood pressure or abnormal thyroid function tests;
- Muscle or joint pain
- Pain and burning when you urinate
- Your arms or legs may experience swelling.
- Mouth sores;
- Rash;
- Redness, itching, or peeling of skin in your hands or feet
- Headache, tiredness,
- Cough, difficulty breathing, hoarse vocalisation
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contacting the FDA in regards to side effects is simple - dial 1-800-FDA-1088 now!
Interaction with other drug
Lenvatinib may cause serious heart problems. This risk is higher if you are also taking other medications for asthma, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, or cancer.Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including those for osteoporosis.Lenvatinib may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take.
