Lenvima Special Precautions

Hypertension: Hypertension occurred in 73% of patients in SELECT (DTC) receiving LENVIMA 24 mg orally once daily and in 45% of patients in REFLECT (HCC) receiving LENVIMA 8 mg or 12 mg orally once daily. The median time to onset of new or worsening hypertension was 16 days in SELECT and 26 days in REFLECT. Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 44% of patients in SELECT and in 24% in REFLECT. Grade 4 hypertension occurred <1% in SELECT and Grade 4 hypertension was not reported in REFLECT.
In patients receiving LENVIMA 18 mg orally once daily with everolimus in Study 205 (RCC), hypertension was reported in 42% of patients and the median time to onset of new or worsening hypertension was 35 days. Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 13% of patients. Systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg occurred in 29% of patients and diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg occurred in 21% [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension have been reported.
Control blood pressure prior to initiating LENVIMA. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Cardiac Dysfunction: Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with LENVIMA. Across clinical trials in 799 patients with DTC, RCC or HCC, Grade 3 or higher cardiac dysfunction (including cardiomyopathy, left or right ventricular dysfunction, congestive heart failure, cardiac failure, ventricular hypokinesia, or decrease in left or right ventricular ejection fraction of more than 20% from baseline) occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients.
Monitor patients for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Arterial Thromboembolic Events: Among patients receiving LENVIMA or LENVIMA with everolimus, arterial thromboembolic events of any severity occurred in 2% of patients in Study 205 (RCC), 2% of patients in REFLECT (HCC) and 5% of patients in SELECT (DTC). Grade 3 to 5 arterial thromboembolic events ranged from 2% to 3% across all clinical trials [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Among patients receiving LENVIMA with pembrolizumab, arterial thrombotic events of any severity occurred in 5% of patients in CLEAR, including myocardial infarction (3.4%) and cerebrovascular accident (2.3%).
Permanently discontinue LENVIMA following an arterial thrombotic event [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration]. The safety of resuming LENVIMA after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established and LENVIMA has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.
Hepatotoxicity: Across clinical studies enrolling 1327 LENVIMA-treated patients with malignancies other than HCC, serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% of patients. Fatal events, including hepatic failure, acute hepatitis and hepatorenal syndrome, occurred in 0.5% of patients.
In REFLECT (HCC), hepatic encephalopathy (including hepatic encephalopathy, encephalopathy, metabolic encephalopathy, and hepatic coma) occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and 3% of sorafenib-treated patients. Grade 3 to 5 hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 5% of LENVIMA-treated patients and 2% of sorafenib-treated patients. Grade 3 to 5 hepatic failure occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients and 3% of sorafenib-treated patients. Two percent of patients discontinued LENVIMA and 0.2% discontinued sorafenib due to hepatic encephalopathy and 1% of patients discontinued lenvatinib or sorafenib due to hepatic failure [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Monitor liver function prior to initiating LENVIMA, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Renal Failure or Impairment: Serious including fatal renal failure or impairment can occur with LENVIMA. Renal impairment occurred in 14% of patients receiving LENVIMA in SELECT (DTC) and in 7% of patients receiving LENVIMA in REFLECT (HCC). Grade 3 to 5 renal failure or impairment occurred in 3% (DTC) and 2% (HCC) of patients, including 1 fatality in each study.
In Study 205 (RCC), renal impairment or renal failure occurred in 18% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus, including Grade 3 in 10% of patients [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Initiate prompt management of diarrhea or dehydration/hypovolemia. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA for renal failure or impairment based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Proteinuria: Proteinuria occurred in 34% of LENVIMA-treated patients in SELECT (DTC) and in 26% of LENVIMA-treated patients in REFLECT (HCC). Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 11% and 6% in SELECT and REFLECT, respectively. In Study 205 (RCC), proteinuria occurred in 31% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus and 14% of patients receiving everolimus. Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 8% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus compared to 2% of patients receiving everolimus [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiating LENVIMA and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria greater than or equal to 2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Diarrhea: Of the 737 patients treated with LENVIMA in SELECT (DTC) and REFLECT (HCC), diarrhea occurred in 49% of patients, including Grade 3 in 6%.
In Study 205 (RCC), diarrhea occurred in 81% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus, including Grade 3 in 19%. Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation: Of 799 patients treated with LENVIMA or LENVIMA with everolimus in SELECT (DTC), Study 205 (RCC) and REFLECT (HCC), fistula or gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 2%.
Permanently discontinue LENVIMA in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or Grade 3 or 4 fistula [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
QT Interval Prolongation: In SELECT (DTC), QT/QTc interval prolongation occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QT interval prolongation of >500 ms occurred in 2%. In Study 205 (RCC), QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 11% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 6%. In REFLECT (HCC), QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 2%.
Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at reduced dose of LENVIMA upon recovery based on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Hypocalcemia: In SELECT (DTC), Grade 3 to 4 hypocalcemia occurred in 9% of patients receiving LENVIMA. In 65% of cases, hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation, with or without dose interruption or dose reduction.
In Study 205 (RCC), Grade 3 to 4 hypocalcemia occurred in 6% of patients treated with LENVIMA with everolimus. In REFLECT (HCC), Grade 3 hypocalcemia occurred in 0.8% of LENVIMA-treated patients [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Monitor blood calcium levels at least monthly and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA depending on severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome: Across clinical studies of 1823 patients who received LENVIMA as a single agent [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions], reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) occurred in 0.3%.
Confirm the diagnosis of RPLS with magnetic resonance imaging. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Hemorrhagic Events: Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with LENVIMA. Across SELECT (DTC), Study 205 (RCC) and REFLECT (HCC), hemorrhagic events of any grade occurred in 29% of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA as a single agent or in combination with everolimus. The most frequently reported hemorrhagic events (all grades and occurring in at least 5% of patients) were epistaxis and hematuria.
In SELECT, Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhage occurred in 2% of patients receiving LENVIMA, including 1 fatal intracranial hemorrhage among 16 patients who received LENVIMA and had CNS metastases at baseline. In Study 205, Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhage occurred in 8% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus, including 1 fatal cerebral hemorrhage. In REFLECT, Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhage occurred in 5% of patients receiving LENVIMA, including 7 fatal hemorrhagic events [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Serious tumor related bleeds, including fatal hemorrhagic events, occurred in patients treated with LENVIMA in clinical trials and in the post-marketing setting. In post-marketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery hemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than in other tumor types. The safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in patients with ATC have not been demonstrated in clinical trials.
Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (e.g. carotid artery). Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue LENVIMA based on the severity [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration].
Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression / Thyroid Dysfunction: LENVIMA impairs exogenous thyroid suppression. In SELECT (DTC), 88% of all patients had a baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level ≤0.5 mU/L. In those patients with a normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level >0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of LENVIMA-treated patients.
Grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus in Study 205 (RCC) and in 21% of patients receiving LENVIMA in REFLECT (HCC). In those patients with a normal or low TSH at baseline, an elevation of TSH was observed post baseline in 70% of patients receiving LENVIMA in REFLECT and 60% of patients receiving LENVIMA with everolimus in Study 205 [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Monitor thyroid function prior to initiating LENVIMA and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.
Impaired Wound Healing: Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients who received LENVIMA [see Post-marketing Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of LENVIMA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients receiving LENVIMA [see Clinical Trials Experience under Adverse Reactions]. Concomitant exposure to other risk factors, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, dental disease or invasive dental procedures, may increase the risk of ONJ.
Perform an oral examination prior to treatment with LENVIMA and periodically during LENVIMA treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices. Avoid invasive dental procedures, if possible, while on LENVIMA treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. For patients requiring invasive dental procedures, discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment may reduce the risk of ONJ. Withhold LENVIMA if ONJ develops and restart based on clinical judgement of adequate resolution.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal reproduction studies, LENVIMA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis at doses below the recommended clinical doses resulted in embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LENVIMA and for at least 30 days after the last dose [see Pregnancy and Females and Males of Reproductive Potential under Use in Pregnancy & Lactation].
Aneurysms and Artery Dissections: The use of VEGF pathway inhibitors in patients with or without hypertension may promote the formation of aneurysms and/or artery dissections. Before initiating lenvatinib, this risk should be carefully considered in patients with risk factors such as hypertension or history of aneurysm [see Post-marketing Experience under Adverse Reactions].
Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (CLcr 60-89 mL/min) or moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) renal impairment. Lenvatinib concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) renal impairment. Reduce the dose of lenvatinib for patients with RCC, DTC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe renal impairment [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration]. There is no recommended dose of LENVIMA for patients with HCC and severe renal impairment. LENVIMA has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease [see Renal Failure or Impairment as previously mentioned; Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions].
Hepatic Impairment: No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with HCC and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A or B). Lenvatinib concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Reduce the dose of lenvatinib for patients with DTC, RCC, or endometrial carcinoma and severe hepatic impairment [see Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions under Dosage & Administration; Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions].
Use in Children: The safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in pediatric patients have not been established.
Juvenile Animal Data: Daily oral administration of lenvatinib mesylate to juvenile rats for 8 weeks starting on postnatal day 21 (approximately equal to a human pediatric age of 2 years) resulted in growth retardation (decreased body weight gain, decreased food consumption, and decreases in the width and/or length of the femur and tibia) and secondary delays in physical development and reproductive organ immaturity at doses greater than or equal to 2 mg/kg (approximately 1.2 to 5 times the human exposure based on AUC at the recommended clinical dose of 24 mg). Decreased length of the femur and tibia persisted following 4 weeks of recovery. In general, the toxicologic profile of lenvatinib was similar between juvenile and adult rats, though toxicities including broken teeth at all dose levels and mortality at the 10 mg/kg/day dose level (attributed to primary duodenal lesions) occurred at earlier treatment time-points in juvenile rats.
Use in the Elderly: Of the 261 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who received LENVIMA in SELECT, 45% were ≥65 years of age and 11% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects.
Of the 352 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who received LENVIMA with pembrolizumab in CLEAR, 45% were ≥65 years of age and 13% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these elderly patients and younger patients.
Of the 62 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who received LENVIMA with everolimus in Study 205, 36% were ≥65 years of age. Conclusions are limited due to the small sample size, but there appeared to be no overall differences in safety or effectiveness between these subjects and younger subjects.
Of the 476 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received LENVIMA in REFLECT, 44% were ≥65 years of age and 12% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between patients ≥65 and younger subjects. Patients ≥75 years of age showed reduced tolerability to LENVIMA.
Of 406 adult patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) who were treated with LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab in Study 309, 201 (50%) were 65 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients and younger patients.