ThyroidOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Thyroid images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Thyroid

Uses
Thyroid hormone is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands (usually pig). It contains 2 natural chemicals (liothyronine and levothyroxine) that are normally produced by the thyroid gland. It is used to treat underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Low thyroid levels can occur naturally or when the thyroid gland is injured by radiation/medications or removed by surgery. It is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream to maintain normal mental and physical activity.This medication is also used to lower thyroid function in certain diseases such as enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is also used to manage thyroid cancer and to test thyroid activity. Thyroid hormone should not be used for male or female infertility in patients with normal thyroid production. The risks of use are high and thyroid hormone provides no benefit.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., thyroid function tests) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Some drugs (e.g., androgens, corticosteroids, estrogens, estrogen-containing birth control pills, iodine-containing products, salicylates) can interfere with thyroid function tests, possibly causing false test results.
Consult your laboratory personnel or doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

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

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily before breakfast or as directed by your doctor.Dosage is based on your medical condition, thyroid hormone levels, and response to therapy.
There are different brands of thyroid hormone available.
They are not interchangeable because the amounts of the 2 thyroid hormones may be different in each product.
Do not change brands without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication 4 hours before or after taking any products containing aluminum or iron, such as antacids, sucralfate, and vitamins/minerals.
Take this medication 4-5 hours after taking any bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine and colestipol.
These products react with thyroid, preventing its full absorption.Certain foods and supplements (e.g., children's soy formula) may affect how much thyroid hormone is absorbed.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Do not stop taking this medication without talking with your doctor.
Thyroid replacement therapy is usually taken for life.Symptoms of low thyroid levels include tiredness, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate and sensitivity to cold.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 2 to 3 days of treatment.

Side Effects

Nausea and partial hair loss (temporary) may occur in children in the first few months of starting thyroid hormone.
If either of these changes persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.It is also possible to have too much thyroid hormone.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these signs of too much thyroid hormone occur: diarrhea, headache, heat intolerance, irritability, menstrual changes, nervousness, trouble sleeping, heavy sweating, unusual weight loss.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest/jaw/left arm pain, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, trouble breathing with exercise, swelling of the arms/legs, extreme weakness.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking thyroid hormone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to pork; 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: decreased adrenal gland function, kidney disease (e.g., nephrosis), low pituitary hormone (e.g., hypopituitarism), low testosterone (e.g., hypogonadism), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: poor food absorption (malabsorption syndrome), heart disease (e.g., angina, high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack), sugar diabetes (diabetes mellitus), water diabetes (diabetes insipidus), long-term severe underactive thyroid (e.g., myxedema).Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.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, and hunger.
Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the effects on the heart.Current information shows that this drug may be used during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.Thyroid hormone passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take 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.

Drug Interactions

See also How to Use Section.Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain antidepressants (e.g., TCAs such as amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline), diabetes drugs (e.g., glipizide, insulin, metformin, rosiglitazone), digoxin, estrogens (e.g., birth control pills/patch/ring, hormone replacement therapy), ketamine, intravenous blood pressure drugs (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

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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.