LevothyroxineInj - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Levothyroxine images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Levothyroxine

Uses
Levothyroxine is used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). It is a man-made substance that replaces the natural substance (thyroid hormone) that is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Low thyroid hormone levels can occur naturally or when the thyroid gland is injured by radiation/medications or removed by surgery. Having enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream is important for maintaining normal mental and physical activity. In children, having enough thyroid hormone is important for normal mental and physical development.This medication is also used to treat other types of thyroid disorders (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid cancer). It is also used to test thyroid activity.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., thyroid function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Some of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions section can interfere with thyroid function tests, possibly causing false test results.
Consult your doctor or laboratory personnel for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
After mixing, discard any unused portion.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: fast/irregular heartbeat, chest pain, confusion, loss of consciousness.

How To Use

This medication is given by injection into a vein or into a muscle, usually once a day or as directed by your doctor.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, thyroid hormone levels, and response to treatment.Learn all preparation and usage instructions for this medication in the product package.
If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist.
Before using this product, check it visually for particles or discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liquid.
Use this medication immediately after mixing.
Do not add the medication to other IV solutions after mixing.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.
Do not stop using this medication without consulting with your doctor.
Thyroid replacement treatment is usually taken for life.Symptoms of low thyroid levels include tiredness, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heartbeat, or sensitivity to cold.
These symptoms should improve in a few days as your body adjusts to this medication.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen.

Side Effects

Some hair loss may occur during the first few months of starting this drug.
This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this medication.
If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Though unlikely, it is possible to have too much thyroid hormone.
Your doctor may need to reduce the dose of this medication.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious signs of too much thyroid hormone occur: headache, mental/mood changes (e.g., nervousness, irritability), shaking, sweating, sensitivity to heat, diarrhea, weight loss, trouble sleeping, tiredness.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, shortness of breath, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the hands/feet, seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before using levothyroxine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain overactive thyroid condition (thyrotoxicosis), a recent heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), adrenal gland problem (uncorrected adrenal insufficiency).Do not use thyroid drugs for weight control.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, diabetes (diabetes mellitus), water diabetes (diabetes insipidus), other hormone disorders (e.g., decreased pituitary hormone).If you have diabetes, this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels.
Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as increased thirst/urination, shakiness, unusual sweating, dizziness, or hunger.
Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects on the heart if there is too much thyroid hormone.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because overuse may keep the child from reaching full adult height.
Consult your doctor for more details.Current information shows that this drug may be used during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant because your dose may need to be adjusted.Small amounts of this drug pass into breast milk.
While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.
Call your doctor if you miss 2 or more doses in a row.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: androgens/anabolic steroids (e.g., testosterone), antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs such as sertraline, tricyclics such as amitriptyline), beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone), cytokines (e.g., interferon alfa, interleukin-2), digoxin, drugs to treat diabetes (e.g., insulin, sulfonylureas such as glyburide), epinephrine, estrogen-containing products (e.g., birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy), ketamine, theophylline, warfarin, drugs that can decrease thyroid hormone levels (e.g., amiodarone, medications containing iodide/iodine, lithium), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove levothyroxine from your body (e.g., phenobarbital, rifamycins including rifampin, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine and phenytoin).High doses of salicylates (e.g., high doses of aspirin) may affect thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
However, low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients such as decongestants or caffeine that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.