* Generic Name: levothyroxine sodium
* Brand Name: Synthroid
* What is levothyroxine?
* What are the possible side effects of levothyroxine?
* What is the most important information I should know about
levothyroxine?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
levothyroxine?
* How should I take levothyroxine?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking levothyroxine?
* What other drugs will affect levothyroxine?
* Where can I get more information?
What is levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is a replacement for a hormone normally produced by
your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and
metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not
produce enough of this hormone on its own.
Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).
Levothyroxine is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged
thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances,
radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.
Levothyroxine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of levothyroxine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* irregular heart rate;
* chest pain, feeling short breath;
* fever, hot flashes, sweating;
* feeling unusually cold;
* weakness, tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia);
* memory problems, feeling depressed or irritable;
* headache, leg cramps, muscle aches;
* feeling nervous or irritable;
* dryness of your skin or hair, hair loss;
* changes in your menstrual periods; or
* vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.
Certain side effects may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
* muscle weakness;
* headache, leg cramps;
* tremors, nervousness, trouble sleeping;
* diarrhea; or
* skin rash, mild hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about levothyroxine?
You may not be able to take levothyroxine if you have certain medical
conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled
adrenal gland disorder, a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis,
or if you have any recent or current symptoms of a heart attack.
Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.
Synthroid Patient Information including How Should I Take
Hyperthyroidism:Keep Your Thyroid in Check
Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz
Thyroid Problems Explained
Thyroid Conditions Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.
Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of
levothyroxine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss
medications or appetite suppressants.
Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can
take levothyroxine. However, you may not be able to take this medicine
if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:
* an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder;
* a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis; or
* symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain or heavy feeling, pain
spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill
feeling).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
* a thyroid nodule;
* heart disease, a blood clot, or a blood-clotting disorder;
* diabetes (insulin or oral diabetes medication doses may
need to be changed when you start taking levothyroxine);
* kidney disease;
* anemia (lack of red blood cells);
* osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
* problems with your pituitary gland; or
* any food or drug allergies.
Tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation therapy
with iodine (such as I-131).
If you become pregnant while taking levothyroxine, do not stop taking
the medicine without your doctor's advice. Having low thyroid hormone
levels during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Your dose
needs may be different during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be
different while you are nursing.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Tirosint
is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.
How should I take levothyroxine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Levothyroxine works best if you take it on an empty stomach, at least
30 minutes before breakfast. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions
and try to take the medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet or capsule whole, with a full glass (8 ounces) of
water. The levothyroxine tablet may dissolve very quickly and could
swell in your throat.
Levothyroxine doses are based on weight in children. Your dose needs
may change if you gain or lose weight.
It may take several weeks before your body starts to respond to
levothyroxine. Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. You may
need to use levothyroxine for the rest of your life.
You may need frequent medical tests. Tell any doctor, dentist, or
surgeon who treats you that you are using levothyroxine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the
same symptoms you have.
Synthroid Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Hyperthyroidism:Keep Your Thyroid in Check
Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz
Thyroid Problems Explained
Thyroid Conditions Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is
almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include headache, leg cramps, tremors, feeling
nervous or irritable, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fast or
pounding heartbeats.
What should I avoid while taking levothyroxine?
Avoid the following food products, which can make your body absorb less
levothyroxine: grapefruit juice, infant soy formula, soybean
flour, cotton seed meal, walnuts, and high-fiber foods.
What other drugs will affect levothyroxine?
Many other medicines can be affected by your thyroid hormone levels.
Certain other medicines may also increase or decrease the effects of
levothyroxine.
Certain medicines can make levothyroxine less effective if taken at the
same time. If you use any of the following drugs, avoid taking them
within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take levothyroxine:
* calcium carbonate (Alka-Mints, Caltrate, Os-Cal, Oyster
Shell Calcium, Rolaids Soft Chew, Tums, and others);
* cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol;
* ferrous sulfate iron supplement;
* sucralfate;
* sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kalexate, Kayexalate,
Kionex);
* stomach acid reducers--esomeprazole, lansoprazole,
omeprazole, rabeprazole, Nexium, Prilosec,
Prevacid, Protonix, Zegerid, and others; or
* antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium--Gaviscon, Maalox, Milk
of Magnesia, Mintox, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, and
others.
Many drugs can affect levothyroxine. This includes prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all
possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your
current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about levothyroxine.
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