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). It is also used to treat
or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by
hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.
Information 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. 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.
Taking Before levothyroxine
The
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 medication if
you have certain medical conditions.
To make sure levothyroxine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis;
- heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a history of blood clots;
- diabetes (insulin or oral diabetes medication doses may need to be changed when you start taking levothyroxine);
- anemia (lack of red blood cells);
- osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
- problems with your pituitary gland;
- any food or drug allergies;
- an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder; or
- if you have recently had a heart attack, or are having any 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 recently received radiation therapy with iodine (such as I-131).
FDA
pregnancy category A. Levothyroxine is not expected to harm an unborn
baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, 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.
Levothyroxine
can pass into breast milk, but it is not expected to be harmful to a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby. Your dose needs may be different while
you are nursing.
When I take levothyroxine:
You
must take levothyroxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow
all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Levothyroxine
works best if you take it on an empty stomach, within 30 minutes before
breakfast. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions and try to take the
medicine at the same time each day.
It
is very important to take Levoxyl with a full glass (8 ounces) of
water. The Levoxyl tablet can dissolve very quickly and swell in the
throat, possibly causing choking or gagging.
While using levothyroxine, you may need frequent medical tests.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using levothyroxine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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 this medicine for the rest of your life to replace the
thyroid hormone your body cannot produce.
See also: Levothyroxine dosage (in more detail)
If I miss a dose:
If
we missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is
almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to
make up the missed dose.
If I overdose:
Some
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:
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 (Caltrate, Citracal, Oystercal, and others);
- ferrous sulfate iron supplement;
- sucralfate;
- sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate, Kionex, and others);
- antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium (such as Acid Gone, Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Genaton, Maalox, Maldroxal, Milk of Magnesia, Mintox, Mylagen, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox); or
- cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine and colestipol.
Avoid
the following food products, which can make your body absorb less
levothyroxine: infant soy formula, cotton seed meal, walnuts, and
high-fiber foods.
Levothyroxine side effects
Immidiatly
get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction to levothyroxine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling
of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- fast or irregular heart rate;
- fever, hot flashes, sweating;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- changes in your menstrual periods; or
- vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.
Common levothyroxine side effects may include 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.
See also: Levothyroxine side effects (in more detail)
Other drugs will affect levothyroxine:
Some
other medicines can be affected by your thyroid hormone levels. Other
medicine may also increase or decrease the effects of levothyroxine.
Many drugs can interact with levothyroxine and not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Tell
your doctor about all medications you use, start using, or stop using
during your treatment with this medicine. This includes prescription,
over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Give a list of all your
medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
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