A targeted tablet for thyroid, liver, kidney and other cancers
Lenvatinib
A targeted tablet used for several cancers, given with close monitoring of blood pressure and watching for bleeding and other serious effects.
What is Lenvatinib?
Lenvatinib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine used to treat several cancers, including certain thyroid, liver and kidney cancers, often in combination with other treatments. It is taken by mouth as a capsule under the care of a cancer specialist. Its most prominent side effect is raised blood pressure, which is checked regularly and treated as needed. It can also cause bleeding, holes or abnormal connections in the gut (perforation or fistula), heart problems, effects on the heart's rhythm (the QT interval) and protein in the urine. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Lenvatinib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Lenvatinib is a targeted treatment used for several types of cancer, including some thyroid cancers, liver cancer and, in combination with another medicine, kidney cancer and certain other cancers. It works differently from standard chemotherapy by blocking signals that help tumours grow their own blood supply. It is taken by mouth as a capsule, under the care of a specialist cancer team. Because it can raise blood pressure and cause other serious effects, treatment involves regular checks, particularly of blood pressure, and clear advice on symptoms to report.
How it works
Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor, meaning it blocks several proteins that cancers use to grow and, importantly, to build the new blood vessels that feed a tumour. By cutting off this blood supply and slowing growth signals, it helps control the cancer. Because the same blood-vessel signals are involved in keeping blood pressure normal and in healing, blocking them helps explain why lenvatinib commonly raises blood pressure and can cause bleeding or problems with the gut and wound healing. It is taken every day to keep this effect going.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist cancer medicine used in the UK to treat several cancers, including certain thyroid, liver and kidney cancers.
Practical use
How to take Lenvatinib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsules by mouth as your cancer specialist prescribes, at about the same time each day.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly, and monitor it at home if your team asks you to.
- Report any signs of bleeding, severe tummy pain, or new heart symptoms such as breathlessness or palpitations straight away.
- Tell your team well in advance of any planned surgery or dental work, as it may need to be paused for healing.
- Use reliable contraception during treatment and for the advised time afterwards, as it can harm an unborn baby.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Lenvatinib
Advantages
- Targets the blood supply and growth signals of tumours, offering a treatment option for several cancers.
- Taken by mouth as a capsule rather than given by infusion.
- Can be used alone or combined with other treatments depending on the cancer.
Disadvantages
- Commonly raises blood pressure, which needs regular checks and treatment.
- Can cause bleeding, gut perforation or fistula, heart problems and protein in the urine.
- Can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is essential.
Practical use
Good to know
The most prominent thing to watch for with lenvatinib is raised blood pressure, which is common, can appear early, and is checked regularly and treated if needed, sometimes with home monitoring. Other important effects relate to its action on blood vessels: it can cause bleeding, slow wound healing, and rarely holes or abnormal connections in the gut (perforation or fistula), so severe tummy pain or signs of bleeding must be reported. It can affect the heart, including heart function and the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), and can cause protein to leak into the urine, so the heart and urine are monitored. Tiredness, diarrhoea, hand-and-foot skin reactions, and changes in thyroid and liver tests are also seen. As with other targeted cancer medicines, it can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important, and it may be paused around surgery to allow healing.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to lenvatinib should not take it.
- It should not be used in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby.
- It is used with caution in people with poorly controlled blood pressure, certain heart problems or a high risk of bleeding.
Monitoring
- Regular blood pressure checks, sometimes including home monitoring.
- Urine checks for protein and blood tests for thyroid, liver and other functions.
- Watching for bleeding, gut problems and heart symptoms, including heart tracings where needed.
Side effects
- Raised blood pressure, tiredness, diarrhoea and reduced appetite.
- Hand-and-foot skin reactions, changes in thyroid and liver tests, and protein in the urine.
- Less commonly but seriously, bleeding, gut perforation or fistula, heart problems or heart-rhythm changes.
Key interactions
- Medicines that affect blood pressure may need adjusting, as lenvatinib commonly raises it.
- Medicines that increase the risk of bleeding need particular care alongside it.
- Medicines that affect the heart's QT interval are reviewed, so give your team a full medicines list.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Lenvatinib: frequently asked questions
What is lenvatinib used for?
It is used to treat several cancers, including certain thyroid, liver and kidney cancers, sometimes in combination with other treatments, under specialist care.
Why does it raise blood pressure?
Lenvatinib blocks signals that tumours use to grow blood vessels, and these same signals help control blood pressure, so it commonly raises blood pressure, which is checked and treated.
What serious symptoms should I report?
Report any signs of bleeding, severe tummy pain, or new heart symptoms such as breathlessness or palpitations straight away, as these can signal serious effects.
Why might it be paused around surgery?
Because it can slow wound healing and affect blood vessels, it may be paused before and after planned surgery or dental work to allow proper healing.
Can I take it if I might become pregnant?
Lenvatinib can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is needed during treatment and for the advised time afterwards.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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