Lenvima

Generic name:lenvatinib [ len-VA-ti-nib ]
Drug classes:Multikinase inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 20, 2021.

What is Lenvima?

Lenvima is a kinase inhibitor used to treat certain types of cancer. Kinase inhibitors are enzyme inhibitors that blocks the action of one or more protein kinases which interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Lenvima is used to treat thyroid cancer. It is usually given after radioactive iodine has been tried without success.

Lenvima is used together with everolimus (Afinitor) to treat advanced kidney cancer in people who have received one treatment course with another cancer medicine.

Lenvima is used together with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to treat advanced kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), or cannot be removed with surgery.

Lenvima is also used together with Keytruda to treat a certain type of endometrial cancer (a type of uterine cancer) that has progressed and cannot be removed with surgery or radiation.

Lenvima is also used to treat liver cancer that cannot be removed with surgery.

Warnings

Some people taking Lenvima have developed a perforation (a hole or tear) or a fistula (an abnormal passageway) within the stomach or intestines. Get emergency medical help if you have severe stomach pain, or if you feel like you are choking and gagging when you eat or drink.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of serious side effects, including: severe chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles, numbness or weakness, confusion, severe headache, problems with speech or vision, seizure (convulsions), unusual bleeding, coughing up blood, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking this medicine

To make sure you can safely take Lenvima, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;

• a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or blood clot;

• headaches or vision problems;

• bleeding problems;

• a perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines;

• a fistula (an abnormal passageway between parts of your body);

• a seizure disorder;

• ...