Lenvima

This medication is used to treat cancer. Lenvatinib belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking lenvatinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the capsules whole. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules whole, place the capsules in a glass with a small amount of water or apple juice (1 tablespoon/15 milliliters). Let the capsules sit in the liquid for 10 minutes. Do not crush or break the capsules. After 10 minutes, stir the contents of the glass for at least 3 minutes. Drink all of the mixture right away. Then rinse the glass with another small amount of water or apple juice and drink the rinsing liquid to make sure you have taken the entire dose. Do not prepare a supply in advance.

Lenvatinib may have different packaging and different dosage instructions based on your medical condition. To prevent dosage errors, ask your pharmacist about proper use. The dosage is also based on your response to treatment, laboratory tests - and on your weight for the treatment of liver cancer.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of serious side effects will increase.

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the capsules.

Dry mouth, hoarseness, nose bleeds, tiredness, weight loss, headache, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, change in taste, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop may result in a serious loss of body water (dehydration). Contact your doctor promptly if you notice any symptoms of dehydration, such as unusual dry mouth/thirst, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.

Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush your teeth carefully/gently, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth frequently with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt. It may also be best to eat soft, moist foods.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Your doctor may control your blood pressure with medication.

Lenvatinib may cause low blood calcium levels. Your doctor will check lab tests during treatment, and may direct you to take calcium and vitamin D.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of new or worsening kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, frothy urine), signs of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), signs of an underactive thyroid (such as weight gain, cold intolerance, slow heartbeat), muscle spasms, redness/pain/swelling/blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, easy bleeding/bruising, slow wound healing.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: symptoms of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating), signs of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion), signs of stomach/intestinal problems (such as bloody/black/tarry stools, stomach/abdominal pain, bloody vomit, vomit that looks like coffee grounds), fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.

Lenvatinib may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: persistent nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

Lenvatinib may rarely cause a serious brain condition called RPLS (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome). Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of RPLS, including: persistent headaches, seizures, sudden vision changes, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking lenvatinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, history of heart attack/stroke, loss of too much body water (dehydration).

Lenvatinib may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using lenvatinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using lenvatinib safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may cause wounds to heal slowly or poorly. Before having surgery, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication. Your doctor may tell you to temporarily stop treatment with this medication at least 1 week before surgery. Ask your doctor for specific instructions about when to stop and when to restart treatment with lenvatinib. Tell your doctor right away if you have wounds that are not healing well.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the capsules.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using lenvatinib. Lenvatinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for at least 30 days after stopping treatment. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug and for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

If you miss a dose and it is more than 12 hours until the next dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, EKG, urine protein, kidney/liver/thyroid function, mineral levels in the blood) should be done before and while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.