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Levothyroxine is used to replace the hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland for a condition known as hypothyroidism. It is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream in order for various organ systems in your body to function properly. Levothyroxine Sodium is used to treat other types of thyroid disorders as well (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer).
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Synthroid, Levothroid, Unithroid, Levoxyl, L-Thyroxine, Thyrox
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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levothyroxine Sodium
Synthroid, Levothroid, Unithroid, Levoxyl, L-Thyroxine, Thyrox
Uses
Levothyroxine is used to replace the hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland for a condition known as hypothyroidism. It is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream in order for various organ systems in your body to function properly. Levothyroxine Sodium is used to treat other types of thyroid disorders as well (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer).
Storage
- Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
- Symptoms of overdose may include: excessive sweating, extreme nervousness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, seizures.
Photos
Levothyroxine Sodium for Injection |
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LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM |
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Substance: Levothyroxine Sodium |
LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM 0.050MG |
Levothyroxine Sodium for Injection |
How To Use
- Take Levothyroxine Sodium on an empty stomach.
- It is usually taken as a single daily dose before breakfast.
- For children who cannot swallow whole tablets, crush the tablet and mix in 1 or 2 teaspoons (5 or 10 ml) of water, and give using a spoon or dropper as soon as possible after preparation.
- Do not store the mixture for later use.
- Do not mix crushed tablets in soybean infant formula.
- Consult your pharmacist for more information.
- Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage based on your medical condition, your response to therapy and your laboratory test results.
- Do not stop taking Levothyroxine Sodium without consulting with your doctor.
- Replacement therapy is usually taken for life.
- It may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in your symptoms.
Side Effects
- Symptoms of low thyroid levels include fatigue, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, or dry brittle hair that tends to fall out easily.
- These symptoms should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If they persist or become bothersome, notify your doctor promptly.
- Headache, nervousness, trembling, sweating, increased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss or insomnia may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your your doctor promptly.
- In rare instances, some hair loss may occur during the first few months of starting Levothyroxine Sodium.
- This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to Levothyroxine Sodium.
- If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor promptly.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: seizures.
- An allergic reaction to Levothyroxine Sodium is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
- If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Levothyroxine Sodium should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using Levothyroxine Sodium, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: overactive thyroid conditions (e.g., thyrotoxicosis), a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), adrenal gland problems (e.g., uncorrected adrenal insufficiency).
- Do not use thyroid drugs for weight control.
- Before using Levothyroxine Sodium, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease), diabetes, male or female infertility problems, bone loss disease (e.g., osteoporosis), other hormone disorders (e.g., hypothalamic/pituitary hormone deficiencies, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome), other thyroid problems (e.g., nontoxic diffuse goiter, nodular thyroid disease), blood clotting disorders, any allergies.
- Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Levothyroxine Sodium prior to any surgery.
- Caution is advised when using Levothyroxine Sodium in children because overuse may reduce the child s future adult height.
- Consult your doctor for details.
- Caution is advised when using Levothyroxine Sodium in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Levothyroxine Sodium.
- Current information shows that Levothyroxine Sodium may be used during pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant because your dose will have to be adjusted.
- Small amounts of Levothyroxine Sodium pass 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.
- Call your doctor if you miss 2 or more doses in a row.
Drug Interactions
- Before using Levothyroxine Sodium, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: warfarin, digoxin, estrogen products (including estrogen-containing birth control pills), diabetes medicines (e.g., insulin, glipizide, rosiglitazone), amiodarone, iodide (including radiographic contrast agents containing iodine), lithium, anti-thyroid agents (e.g., methimazole, propylthiouracil), androgens/anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone), high dose salicylates (e.g., aspirin), phenobarbital, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, maprotiline, sertraline), cytokines (e.g., interferon-alpha, interleukin-2), growth hormones, ketamine, theophylline.
- 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 the safe use of these products.
- Certain medicines may decrease absorption of Levothyroxine Sodium into your bloodstream.
- Therefore, take levothyroxine 4 hours apart from: calcium supplements, iron supplements, aluminum, calcium or magnesium antacids, simethicone, cholestyramine, colestipol, sucralfate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
- Certain foods may decrease absorption of Levothyroxine Sodium when taken at the same time.
- Take levothyroxine separately from: soybean flour (soybean infant formula), walnuts, dietary fiber.
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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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.
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