Lenvatinib
About Lenvatinib
Lenvatinib is a prescription medicine used to treat certain advanced cancers, such as thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and endometrial cancer. It helps manage these serious conditions by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body. Your doctor will determine if this targeted oral therapy is appropriate for your specific diagnosis.
You will usually take this medicine once daily, and it is crucial to take it consistently at the same time each day to maintain stable levels in your system. You can take it with or without food. To help support your treatment, focus on simple lifestyle adjustments like eating balanced meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting light, regular exercise.
Some common side effects include high blood pressure, fatigue, diarrhoea, and decreased appetite. It is important to monitor these symptoms closely and consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe headaches, extreme stomach pain, or unusual bleeding.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems, blood clots, liver damage, or kidney disease. Do not take this if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medication or if you are pregnant.
This medicine can interact with other prescription drugs, alcohol, and smoking, which can worsen side effects like high blood pressure or stomach irritation. It is vital to consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you are an elderly individual, as you may require special monitoring during treatment.
Uses of Lenvatinib
Medicinal Benefits
It offers targeted control against advanced cancers by focusing on the specific processes that allow tumours to grow. By directly blocking these pathways, the medicine provides several key benefits:
- Slowing disease progression: It helps delay the growth and spread of cancer cells, giving you more time where your disease remains stable.
- Tumour shrinkage: By cutting off the blood supply that tumours need to survive, this medicine can help shrink existing tumours or prevent them from getting larger.
- Preserving daily functioning: Because it is a targeted oral therapy rather than traditional chemotherapy, it allows many patients to manage their disease at home while maintaining a routine with supportive care.
Directions for Use
- Lenvatinib can be taken with or without food.
- Take Lenvatinib once daily; however, follow your doctor's advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow Lenvatinib as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, open, or split it.
Storage
Side Effects of Lenvatinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- High blood pressure
- Upset stomach, diarrhoea, or mild nausea
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or numbness on one side of your body (signs of a heart problem or stroke)
- Severe, sudden headaches, confusion, or changes in your vision
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe pain on the right side of your stomach (signs of liver damage)
- Unusual or severe bleeding, including frequent nosebleeds, coughing up blood, or dark, tarry stools
- Severe, persistent diarrhoea that leads to dizziness or extreme thirst
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the blister packaging: Always inspect your medicine card before taking a capsule; do not use it if the foil is broken, torn, or damaged.
- Inform surgeons and dentists: This medicine can severely affect wound healing. Tell your dentist or surgeon you are taking it well in advance of any planned medical or dental procedures, as you may need to stop taking it temporarily.
- Do not breastfeed: Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least one week after your final dose, as the medicine may pass into breast milk and harm your baby.
Use highly effective birth control: Both men and women must use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 30 days after the last dose to prevent pregnancy. - Watch for severe stomach pain: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe stomach pain, as this medicine can cause rare but dangerous tears in the wall of your stomach or intestines.
Drug Interactions
- Medicines that affect heart rhythm: Medicines that can change the heart's rhythm, such as anti-arrhythmic medicines or certain antibiotics, may increase the risk of serious heart rhythm problems when taken with this medicine.
- Medicines that affect liver enzymes: Some medicines can change how your body processes it, which may make it less effective or increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements you are taking before starting treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Lenvatinib interacts with alcohol. Consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeLenvatinib is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Lenvatinib. You should not become pregnant while you are taking Lenvatinib for at least 3o days from the last dose of Lenvatinib. Using effective birth control methods while on treatment with Lenvatinib is suggested.
Breast Feeding
unsafeInform your doctor if you are intending to breastfeed. Breastfeeding should be avoided while getting Lenvatinib and for one week from the final dosage of administration.
Driving
unsafeLenvatinib is known to cause dizziness and visual disturbances. Hence, avoid driving and operating machines until you are completely alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver problems, tell your doctor before taking this medicine. Notify your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, fleeing drowsy, abdominal pain, dark-coloured urine, easier bleeding or bruising than usual. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function while on treatment with this medicine.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before taking Lenvatinib. It may cause kidney injury. Notify your doctor if you experience symptoms such as decreased urine output, blood in your urine, ankle edema, or lack of appetite.
Children
unsafeLenvatinib is not recommended for use in children, as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure daily: Since high blood pressure is a very common side effect of this treatment, keep a daily log of your readings and share them with your healthcare team.
- Prevent dehydration: Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, broth, or electrolyte solutions throughout the day, especially if you experience loose stools or diarrhoea.
- Care for your hands and feet: Apply thick, fragrance-free moisturising creams to your palms and soles daily to prevent redness, pain, or peeling skin (hand-foot syndrome).
- Eat smaller, frequent meals: If you experience nausea or a loss of appetite, try eating five or six small, nutrient-rich meals a day instead of three large ones to maintain your strength.
- Manage fatigue with planned rest: Keep a regular sleep schedule and plan short rest periods during the day, balancing them with light activities like short walks if you feel up to it.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest periodic liver function tests, kidney function tests, lung function tests and urine tests to monitor the function of the liver, kidney, lungs and the presence of protein in urine due to the use of Lenvatinib.
- Using contraceptive pills while using Lenvatinib to prevent pregnancy is advised.
- Thyroid function and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels will be monitored during treatment to avoid any life-threatening side effects.
- It is advised to use contraceptive pills while using Lenvatinib to prevent pregnancy.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you have swelling in your lower legs, fast heartbeats, or trouble breathing, as it may be a sign of a heart problem.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Renal Cell Carcinoma: Also known as kidney cancer. It is the most common type of cancer seen in adults. This condition occurs when cancer/ malignant cells grow uncontrollably in the kidney and form a tumor. Advanced kidney cancer (metastatic renal cell carcinoma) occurs when the malignant cells spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include red, orange, or pink-coloured urine due to the presence of blood in the urine.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Also known as liver cancer. It occurs when the cancer/ malignant cells grow out of control. This infects the liver, destroys the liver cells and affects the ability of the liver to work properly. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pale bowel motions.
Differentiated Thyroid cancer: This condition occurs when the cancer cells grow abnormally in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ present under the neck. This gland is useful in producing hormones responsible for the functioning of the body. Differentiated thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid carcinoma, which includes papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer.
Endometrial cancer: It is a cancer which affects the endometrium (lining of the womb or uterus). Symptoms may include bleeding between periods, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse. This cancer mostly occurs due to certain factors such as increasing age, obesity, never being pregnant, family history of cancer, and diabetes. It is usually seen in women above the age of 55 years. This condition is not life-threatening when it is diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
FAQs
Lenvatinib is used to treat Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Differentiated thyroid cancer and Endometrial cancer.
Lenvatinib contains Lenvatinib, which works by inhibiting the action of a tyrosine kinase enzyme that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells.
It is advised not to miss any dose of medicine. If you miss it, take the medicine as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, avoid taking the missed dose and do not double the dose.
No, you must swallow the capsules whole. If you have difficulty swallowing them, do not open or crush them yourself. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for approved methods to dissolve the capsules in liquid safely.
If you vomit after taking your daily dose, do not take an extra capsule to replace it. Simply wait and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time the following day. Talk to your doctor if you experience persistent vomiting.
Yes, high blood pressure is a very common and expected side effect of this medication. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure closely and will likely prescribe medication to help control it during your treatment.
It is highly recommended to avoid or limit alcohol during treatment. Alcohol can increase your risk of dehydration, liver strain, and stomach irritation, which can make side effects more severe. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
This medicine is not a cure, but it is highly effective at slowing down or stopping the progression of certain advanced cancers. It helps manage the disease and can extend your active, stable days. Talk to your doctor to discuss your realistic treatment goals.
Yes, this medication can increase your risk of serious bleeding. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice severe nosebleeds, blood in your urine or stool, or if you cough up blood.
A sudden, severe headache can indicate a dangerous rise in blood pressure or a rare but serious brain condition. Measure your blood pressure right away and contact your doctor or seek emergency medical help immediately.
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