Lenvima (lenvatinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults. Lenvima comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.
Lenvima is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following types of cancer:
- differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
- advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (typically given in combination with an additional cancer treatment drug)
- hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- advanced endometrial cancer (typically given in combination with an additional cancer treatment drug)
Lenvima belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitor. Lenvima is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Lenvima, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Lenvima, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Lenvima provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lenvima, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for details about Lenvima’s dosages for its approved uses.
Lenvima form
Lenvima comes as an oral capsule.
Lenvima strengths
Lenvima comes in two strengths: 4 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for differentiated thyroid cancer
Doctors may prescribe Lenvima to treat DTC.
If your doctor prescribes Lenvima for your DTC, your starting dose will likely be 24 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once a day. This is the typical recommended dosage of Lenvima for people with DTC. This is also the maximum dose of Lenvima that’s recommended.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for hepatocellular carcinoma
Doctors may prescribe Lenvima to treat HCC.
If your doctor prescribes Lenvima for your HCC, your starting dose will be based on your body weight.
If you weigh 132 pounds (60 kg) or more, the recommended dosage is 12 mg, taken once a day.
If you weigh less than 132 pounds (60 kg), the recommended dosage is 8 mg, taken once a day.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for advanced renal cell carcinoma
Lenvima is also approved to treat RCC. The drug is typically taken with other drugs, usually either pembrolizumab or everolimus, for this condition.
If your doctor prescribes Lenvima for your RCC, your starting dose is likely to be either 18 mg or 20 mg, taken once a day.
The table below shows the typical dosage schedule, including the additional drugs you may receive to treat your RCC.
| Stage of RCC treatment | Typical Lenvima dosage | Other treatment typically used with Lenvima |
|---|---|---|
| first treatment regimen for your RCC | 20 mg once a day | pembrolizumab (typically as an intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks) |
| previously been treated with an angiogenic* agent for RCC | 18 mg once a day | everolimus (typically 5 mg by mouth once a day) |
*This type of medication blocks the formation of new blood vessels that help cancer grow
For more information about your specific dosage and treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for advanced endometrial cancer
Lenvima is also approved to treat advanced endometrial cancer. The drug is typically taken with another drug, pembrolizumab, for this condition.
If your doctor prescribes Lenvima for your endometrial cancer, your daily dosage will typically be Lenvima 20 mg daily. You will typically take this dose once a day.
If your doctor adds pembrolizumab to your treatment plan for your endometrial cancer, you will likely receive it as an intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks. With an IV infusion, the drug is injected into your vein over a period of time.
For more information about your specific dosage and treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
How to take Lenvima
Lenvima comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the capsule.
If you have difficulty swallowing Lenvima capsules, you can mix them with water or apple juice. This can be done as follows:
- Place the capsules needed for your dose into a glass (place the capsules in whole, do not open or crush them).
- Add one tablespoon of water or apple juice to the glass. Let the capsules dissolve for at least 10 minutes.
- Stir the mixture for at least 3 minutes to ensure all capsules are completely dissolved before drinking it.
- Drink the mixture.
- Then add another tablespoon of water or apple juice to the glass. Swirl this around the glass a few times to mix with any remaining medication, then drink this as well.
You may take your dose with or without food. Try to take your dose around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so that Lenvima can work effectively.
If you have questions about how to use Lenvima, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also more information on the manufacturer’s website.
Long-term treatment
Lenvima is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lenvima is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Lenvima, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Lenvima in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you don’t take more Lenvima than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Lenvima
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lenvima. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below is a frequently asked question about Lenvima.
Will I have a Lenvima dose reduction while on my treatment plan?
Typically, doctors prescribe a set dosage throughout your treatment with Lenvima. In some cases, doctors may decrease the drug’s dosage, including if you’re experiencing certain side effects.
If your doctor needs to adjust your treatment plan, they may consider decreasing your dose, or may decide another treatment may be better for you.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Lenvima, talk with your doctor. If it seems like you need a lower dosage, ask your doctor whether a dose reduction is right for you. Do not decrease your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.