Lenvima (lenvatinib) is used to treat certain types of cancer, including certain types of thyroid, kidney, liver, and endometrial (the uterus lining) cancers. Like most medicines, Lenvima may cause side effects or interact with other medicines.
Keep reading to learn about potential interactions and side effects of Lenvima, what you can do to prevent them, what to do if they happen, and when to contact your health care provider.
This article does not include all possible interactions and side effects. Tell your health care provider about any symptoms that concern you, even if they are not listed here.
Common Lenvima Side Effects
The most common Lenvima side effects reported in clinical studies include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Muscle or joint pain
- Headache
- Mouth sores
- Tiredness
- Low red blood cell levels (anemia)
- Decreased appetite or weight loss
In most cases, these side effects are temporary and often improve on their own. Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms that feel severe or last longer than a few days. Do not stop taking Lenvima unless your provider recommends it.
Serious Side Effects of Lenvima
Serious Lenvima side effects are less common but may include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems, such as reduced ability of the heart to pump, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy
- Heart rhythm changes
- Blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
- Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage, including proteinuria
- Severe diarrhea
- Low red blood cell levels (anemia)
- Bleeding
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Problems with wound healing
- Jawbone problem called osteonecrosis
If you think you may be having a serious side effect, contact your health care provider right away. In some cases, severe symptoms may require urgent medical care. Your provider can evaluate your symptoms and explain what steps to take next.
The sections below explain common Lenvima side effects and what you can do to help reduce or relieve them.
Tips for Managing Lenvima Side Effects
Some side effects can be managed at home with simple steps, while others may need medical treatment. Do not change your dose or stop the medicine on your own. Always check with your health care provider first.
1. Increased blood pressure
An increase in your blood pressure is common with Lenvima. If you already have blood pressure problems, your health care provider may ask you to check your blood pressure at home, or they may need to monitor your blood pressure more closely.
Blood pressure often rises without causing noticeable symptoms, which is why monitoring at home is important.
Small increases in blood pressure may not be a problem. But if your blood pressure gets too high, you may need medicines to control your blood pressure, a change in your Lenvima dose, or to stop it altogether.
Here are some general suggestions to reduce your risk of high blood pressure:
- Follow a healthy low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Get regular exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking.
- Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Minimize stress.
Follow your health care provider’s recommendations on checking your blood pressure at home. Tell your health care provider what your blood pressure readings are, and keep any appointments to have it checked. If your blood pressure gets too high, they may adjust your dosage, prescribe treatment for it, or pause or stop Lenvima. If you get a blood pressure reading that is over 180/120, it’s a medical emergency. See a doctor right away.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Lenvima. Possible symptoms include loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, and an urgent need to use the bathroom.
Mild diarrhea often improves on its own within a few days. You may be able to manage it at home with the following tips:
- Eat bland foods, such as rice, bananas, or toast.
- Avoid greasy, spicy, or high-fiber foods that may worsen symptoms.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Before trying over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for diarrhea, check with your health care provider or pharmacist to make sure they are safe for you.
Contact your health care provider if diarrhea is severe, does not improve, or causes signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy or peeing less than you normally do.
3. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting affected many people taking Lenvima in clinical studies.
Symptoms of nausea may include an upset stomach, queasiness, and a feeling like you may throw up.
Mild nausea and vomiting may improve as your body adjusts to treatment. The following tips may help relieve these:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Snack on bland foods such as crackers.
- Avoid greasy, spicy, or strong-smelling foods.
- Take small sips of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Tell your health care provider if nausea and vomiting become severe or they make it hard to eat or drink. Your provider may recommend anti-nausea medicine, pause treatment temporarily, or adjust your treatment plan if needed.
4. Constipation
Constipation is another common side effect of Lenvima. It affected between 15% and 30% of people in studies.
Symptoms may include:
- Fewer bowel movements
- Hard stools
- Straining during bowel movements
The following tips may help prevent or relieve constipation:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Add fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains slowly over time.
- Stay physically active when possible.
- Try to follow a regular bathroom schedule.
Your health care provider may also recommend OTC laxatives or stool softeners. Contact your provider if constipation becomes severe, lasts many days, or causes significant pain.
5. Muscle or joint pain
Musculoskeletal pain is a common side effect of Lenvima. In most studies, more than 50% of people taking Lenvima had this side effect. It is usually mild to moderate, but some people may have more severe pain.
Symptoms may include:
- Aching muscles
- Joint stiffness
- Bone pain
- General body aches
Symptoms may improve over time or with supportive care at home. The following tips may help relieve muscle or joint pain:
- Try gentle stretching or light activity, if approved by your health care provider.
- Use a heating pad or warm bath to ease soreness, or apply a cold pack for up to 10 minutes at a time.
- Rest during pain flare-ups.
- Stay physically active when possible to help reduce stiffness.
Some people may benefit from OTC pain relievers, but ask your health care provider or pharmacist first to make sure they are safe for you.
Talk to your health care provider if pain becomes severe or starts interfering with sleep, movement, or daily activities. In some cases, your provider may interrupt treatment, reduce your dose, or pause Lenvima until symptoms improve.
6. Headache
Headaches are a common side effect of Lenvima. They are usually mild to moderate, but some people may have more severe headaches.
Symptoms may improve over time or with supportive care at home. The following are some general tips that may help reduce your risk of headaches:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Minimize stress.
- Drink enough fluids, and eat regular meals or snacks.
Some people may benefit from OTC pain relievers, but ask your health care provider or pharmacist first to make sure they are safe for you.
Reach out to your health care provider if pain comes on very suddenly, becomes severe, or interferes with sleep or daily activities. Sudden onset and severe headaches can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious side effect, such as a blood clot. In some cases, your provider may interrupt treatment, reduce your dose, or pause Lenvima until symptoms improve.
7. Mouth sores
Mouth sores (stomatitis) are one of the most common side effects of Lenvima. In most studies, about 40% or more people taking Lenvima had stomatitis.
Symptoms of stomatitis may include red or swollen gums, bleeding, and mouth or throat pain. Sometimes, these symptoms can be severe.
Below are some tips to possibly prevent or reduce symptoms of stomatitis:
- Avoid or limit drinks and foods that are hot, spicy, or citrus-based.
- Try to do regular mouth rinses many times a day with salt water or a mixture of salt water and baking soda.
- Eat soft, mild foods, such as yogurt or smoothies.
- Soothe your mouth with cold foods or drinks, such as ice pops and ice cream, or try sucking on ice chips.
- Drink through a straw to keep liquids away from mouth sores.
Communicate with your health care team if you have mouth sores. It is better to catch it early. If stomatitis gets severe, it can make it hard for you to eat or drink. Your health care provider may recommend medicine to treat your symptoms.
8. Anemia
Anemia (low red blood cell levels) is a possible side effect of Lenvima. It is especially common in people taking Lenvima with belzutifan.
Possible symptoms of anemia include:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
To lower your risk of anemia or prevent anemia from getting severe:
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
- Rest when you feel tired, and pace your activities.
- Follow any suggestions from your health care provider about taking vitamins or supplements.
- Keep all appointments, especially those for lab tests, so your health care provider can watch for anemia and treat it if necessary before it becomes severe.
Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood work during treatment. If your symptoms feel severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Understanding Lenvima Interactions
A drug interaction occurs when one substance changes how a medication affects the body. Some combinations can also increase the chance of side effects or make side effects worse.
One of the serious side effects that Lenvima can cause is QT prolongation, which is a possibly dangerous change in the electrical activity of the heart, as seen on an electrocardiogram (EKG). Taking Lenvima with other medicines that also prolong the QT interval may increase the risk of serious heart rhythm problems.
Below are some examples of other medicines that can also cause QT prolongation.
Drug or Drug Class | Common Uses | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Bacterial infections |
|
| Antifungals | Fungal infections |
|
| Antidepressants | Depression or anxiety |
|
| Antipsychotics | Certain mental health conditions |
|
| Antiarrhythmics | Control heart rate or rhythm |
|
Combining these medicines with Lenvima may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening arrhythmias.
Health care providers generally try to avoid these combinations when possible. If both medicines must be used together, you may need more frequent EKGs and blood tests to check potassium and magnesium levels (see FAQ below). If you have heart rhythm changes, your health care provider may temporarily pause Lenvima, lower your dose, or stop treatment.
This article does not include all possible Lenvima interactions. Always tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all prescription drugs, OTC medicines, and any vitamins, herbs, or other supplements you use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lenvima Interactions
Does Lenvima interact with magnesium or potassium?
No. Lenvima does not interact with magnesium or potassium. But having low levels of electrolytes, especially magnesium or potassium, can increase your risk of QT prolongation, which is a potentially serious side effect of Lenvima. QT prolongation is a change in the heart’s electrical activity that can sometimes lead to severe or even life-threatening heart problems.
Keep all of your appointments for blood tests while taking Lenvima. If your levels are low, your provider will let you know how to correct them, such as through diet changes, supplements, or adjusting your treatment plan.
Does Lenvima interact with alcohol?
It is not known if drinking alcohol affects Lenvima. But alcohol and Lenvima both have a risk of bleeding, so alcohol may increase your risk of bleeding while taking Lenvima. It’s best to limit alcohol while taking Lenvima.
Reducing Your Risk of Side Effects and Interactions
The following steps can help lower your risk of Lenvima side effects and drug interactions:
- Take Lenvima exactly as prescribed.
- Attend all medical appointments and lab tests while taking Lenvima, and report side effects that do not improve or that interfere with daily activities.
- Tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you use.
- Do not stop or change how you use any of your medicines without talking to your provider first.
- Properly dispose of unused or expired medicines to help prevent accidental use or interactions.
Your health care provider can help you manage side effects and decide whether changes to your treatment plan may help.
