Lenvima Complications: Identifying Them and Strategies for Coping
Lenvima (lenvatinib) is a medication used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including kidney and liver cancer. While it has proven to be effective, it's essential to understand the potential side effects and precautions associated with its use.
Common side effects of Lenvima include fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, joint or muscle pain, weight loss, abdominal pain, and hand-foot syndrome. More severe side effects, such as high blood pressure, can occur in about 23% of patients.
For kidney cancer treatment, Lenvima may cause difficulty breathing, constipation, cough, and swelling of hands or feet. For liver cancer treatment, Lenvima may cause hoarse voice, skin rash, and bleeding. It's worth noting that an allergic reaction can occur with Lenvima, although it wasn't reported in clinical trials. Symptoms can include skin rash, itching, flushing, swelling under the skin, swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe.
When Lenvima is combined with pembrolizumab in treatment regimens, a range of neurological, skin, and immune-related less common and rare adverse events may be seen. These can include muscle weakness, seizures, double vision, bluish lips or skin, chest pain, slurred speech, temporary blindness, and sensitivity to heat.
Serious side effects of Lenvima include blood clots that could lead to heart attack or stroke, liver problems including liver failure, kidney problems including kidney failure, heart problems such as heart failure, protein in the urine, bleeding problems, long QT interval (a type of irregular heart rhythm), fistula (an abnormal connection between two organs), gastrointestinal perforation (a tear in the wall of the stomach or intestine), hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone level), reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (a type of swelling in the brain), osteonecrosis of the jaw (jaw bone death or damage), low calcium level in the blood, slow wound healing, severe diarrhea, high blood pressure, and severe allergic reaction.
Hand-foot syndrome, a side effect of Lenvima, can cause pain, swelling, redness, and peeling of the skin on the hands and feet. It is more common in people who take Lenvima for longer periods of time. Your doctor will check your blood pressure frequently during Lenvima treatment, and you can also check your blood pressure yourself using a home blood pressure monitor.
For endometrial, thyroid, and other types of cancer, the side effects of Lenvima may vary. It's crucial to discuss these with your doctor to understand the specific implications for your treatment.
Before starting Lenvima treatment, it's essential to inform your doctor about any pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure, low levels of electrolytes, a history of blood clots, low thyroid hormone levels, kidney problems, liver problems, recent or planned surgery, gastrointestinal perforation or fistula, allergic reaction to Lenvima, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Consuming alcohol excessively may also affect your eligibility for Lenvima treatment.
In conclusion, while Lenvima can be an effective treatment option for various types of cancer, it's essential to be aware of its potential side effects and precautions. Always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication, and if you experience any side effects, discuss them with your doctor to ensure proper management.
[1] Clinical trial data from Eisai Co., Ltd. and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. [2] Medscape Drug Reference: Lenvatinib [3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Keytruda (pembrolizumab) [4] National Cancer Institute: Lenvatinib [5] American Society of Clinical Oncology: Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab for Advanced Endometrial Carcinoma
- Lenvima, a drug used for other cancers like endometrial cancer, has potential side effects such as hand-foot syndrome, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues, and it's vital to discuss these with a doctor before starting treatment.
- In medical-conditions like liver and kidney cancer, Lenvima therapies-and-treatments could lead to side effects like skin rash, hoarse voice, and difficulty breathing, making it important to be aware and monitor these symptoms.
- Science in the field of health-and-wellness continues to evolve, with potential treatments that combine Lenvima with drugs like pembrolizumab showing promising results, but also revealing less common side effects such as neurological and immune-related adverse events.
- It is crucial for patients to provide their oncology team with a comprehensive medical-conditions history, including details about blood pressure, liver and kidney problems, allergies, and pre-existing conditions, to ensure proper treatments and monitoring during Lenvima usage.
- Lenvima, a medication used in the science of oncology to combat various types of cancer, may have severe side effects like blood clots, liver and kidney problems, heart conditions, and allergic reactions, underscoring the need for close monitoring and consultation with healthcare professionals throughout treatment.
