Levothyroxine

What is Levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine can be used to treat hypothyroidism in both adults and children.Adults can also be treated with levothyroxine, surgery, and radioactive iodine to treat certain types of thyroid carcinoma.Adults are treated with levothyroxine to treat myxedema and coma.Levothyroxine is a member of a group of drugs called hormones. It replaces thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the body.Your body will not function correctly without thyroid hormone. This can lead to poor growth, slowness of speech, fatigue, constipation, and weight gain. It may also cause hair loss, thick, dry skin, an increased sensitivity to cold, muscle and joint pain, depression, and an increased sensitivity to cold. Levothyroxine can reverse these symptoms when taken correctly.

Side effects of Levothyroxine

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction to levothyroxine, seek immediate medical attention: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, throat, tongue, or mouth.

Levothyroxine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• You may experience sudden hip, wrist, or back pain.
• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Chest pain is pain that spreads to your jaw, shoulder, or neck.
• Wheezing;
• Fever or a feeling of being unwell; itching or joint discomfort.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea;
• High sugar: increased thirst and increased urination; dry mouth; fruity breath smell

Levothyroxine may cause the following side effects:

• Increased sweating.
• Tiredness;
• Skin rash, hair loss;
• Chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath
• Headache, leg cramps, muscle pain, or weakness;
• Sleep problems (insomnia):
• Increased or changed appetite
• Weight gain or loss;
• Changes in your menstrual cycle;
• Vomiting, diarrhoea.

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Levothyroxine may not be suitable for you if certain medical conditions exist. You should tell your doctor if there is an untreated or uncontrolled disorder of the adrenal glands or if you are experiencing heart problems, such as a recent attack.This medicine should not be taken to treat obesity.If you take more than the recommended dosage, this medication will not be as effective and can cause serious side effects.

Before you take this drug

Levothyroxine should not be used if the person is allergic to glycerin, edetate diodium, or has an untreated or uncontrolled disorder of the adrenal gland.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medicine will be safe for you:

• A thyroid nodule
• Thyroiditis occurs when the thyroid gland is inflamed.
• Heart problems, such as stroke or a heart attack;
• A blood clot or a blood clotting disorder;
• Diabetes
• Anaemia
• Weak bones (osteoporosis) or low bone mineral densities
• You may have problems with the pituitary gland or your adrenal gland.
• An allergic reaction is a reaction to food or drugs.
• Recently received radiation treatment with iodine, such as I-131; or
• Kidney disease is a serious condition.

If you are planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Hypothyroidism can increase your risk of complications or premature birth. Treatment of hypothyroidism can be beneficial to both mother and baby. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy.Tell your doctor that you are nursing. You may need a different dose if you are breastfeeding.Levothyroxine may increase your chances of breaking a bone. Speak to your doctor about how you can keep your bones strong.

How to take levothyroxine?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.Levothyroxine is taken orally. The injection is administered into a vein.

Levothyroxine oral should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30–60 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water. Take your medicine every day at the same time.The capsule should not be opened, crushed, chewed or broken.If you can't swallow the tablet whole, crush it and mix 1 or 2 teaspoons with water. Give the mixture to her immediately. Don't save it to use later.If your child is unable to swallow the capsule in its entirety, tell your doctor.Use the measuring device provided to measure liquid medicines (not a spoon from your kitchen).Weight is used to determine the dose for children and adolescents. If your child loses or gains weight, the dose may change.If you change brands, strengths, or forms of levothyroxine, your dose requirements may be different. Use only the medication prescribed by your doctor to avoid medication mistakes.Continue to use this medication even if your symptoms are improving. This medicine may take several weeks to fully work.Your next dose could be delayed, depending on the results of your medical tests.Inform your doctor if you use this medication.Inform any doctor that you see about your use of this medication.Inform your doctor of any planned dental procedures or surgery.If you take more than the recommended dosage, this medication will not be as effective and can cause serious side effects.Keep the blister packs until you're ready to use each capsule or tablet.Keep Ermeza in the original bottle. Ermeza should be used within 90 days, and Thyquidity in 8 weeks after opening the bottle.Use Tirosint-Sol within 3 months from the date of opening.Keep away from heat and moisture. Store at room temperature.

What happens if I miss the dose?

You are unlikely to miss a levothyroxine dose in a medical setting.Do not take two doses at once. Never take two doses in one go.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdoses can be deadly.Overdose symptoms include tremors or leg cramps. They can also be accompanied by a headache, a feeling of nervousness or irritability, chest pains, shortness or rapid breaths, a stroke, or a coma.

What should be avoided?

If you take levothyroxine orally, avoid the following foods within an hour: grapefruit, soybeans, cotton seed, walnuts, and high-fibre foods.

Interaction with other drug

It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Levothyroxine can be less effective if certain drugs affect thyroid hormone levels.Avoid taking any of the drugs listed below within 4 hours prior to or 4 hours following levothyroxine.

• You can also use calcium carbonate in other products (such as Alka-Mints Calcium Carbonate, Oscal, Oyster Shell Caltrate, Rolaids Soft Chew, and Tums).
• Sevelamer, lanthanum;
• Cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol;
• Iron supplements;
• Sucralfate;
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex);
• Prevacid, Nexium (Prilosec), Zegerid and other stomach acid reducers include esomeprazole lansoprazole omeprazole rabeprazole
• Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium include Gaviscon (Maalox), Milk of Magnesia (Mintox), Mylanta (Mylanta), Pepcid Complete, and others.

Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:

• Orlistat;
• Phenobarbital, rifampin;
• Ketamine, steroid medicines;
• Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and maprotiline.
• Heart or blood pressure medications;
• Diabetes medications
• Cancer medicine, such as imatinib
• A blood thinner Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven

This list does not include all drugs that may interact with levothyroxine. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, and vitamin products, as well as herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.