$Unique_ID{BRK03201} $Pretitle{} $Title{levothyroxine} $Subject{Levothroid R-P Roerer sodium Levoxine Daniels Boots Synthroid Thyroid hormone levothyroxine hormones gland cancer enlarged} $Volume{} $Log{ Synthroid 0.025 mg*0320101.scf Synthroid 0.05 mg*0320102.scf Synthroid 0.1 mg*0320103.scf Synthroid 0.15 mg*0320104.scf Synthroid 0.2 mg*0320105.scf Synthroid 0.3 mg*0320106.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. levothyroxine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Levothroid (R-P Roerer) levothyroxine sodium (various manufacturers) Levoxine (Daniels) Synthroid (Boots) TYPE OF DRUG Thyroid hormone INGREDIENT levothyroxine DOSAGE FORM Tablets (0.025 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.075 mg, 0.088 mg, 0.1 mg, 0.112 mg, 0.125 mg, 0.15 mg, 0.175 mg, 0.2 mg, and 0.3 mg) STORAGE Levothyroxine tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. USES Levothyroxine is prescribed to replace natural thyroid hormones that are absent because of a disorder of the thyroid gland. It is also used to help decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands and to treat thyroid cancer. This product is prepared synthetically (artificially) but is exactly like the natural thyroid hormone that is produced by the human body. TREATMENT Levothyroxine tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. If the drug upsets your stomach, ask your doctor if you can take it with food or milk. In order to get used to taking this drug, try to take it at the same time each day. Try not to miss any doses. If you do miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. If you miss more than one or two doses, contact your doctor. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Constipation; dry, puffy skin; fatigue; headache; listlessness; or weight gain. These effects are symptoms of an underactive thyroid. They should disappear after your body adjusts to the medication. It could take several weeks for the medication to take effect. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. Most of the major side effects associated with this drug are the result of too large a dose. The dosage of this medication may need to be adjusted if you experience any of the following side effects: chest pain, diarrhea, fever, heat intolerance, insomnia, irritability, leg cramps, menstrual irregularities, muscle aches, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, or weight loss. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. INTERACTIONS Levothyroxine interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Dosing requirements for digoxin, insulin, or oral antidiabetic agents may change when levothyroxine is used. 2. The effects of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) may be increased by levothyroxine, which could lead to bleeding complications. 3. Cholestyramine and colestipol prevent the body's absorption of levothyroxine. At least four hours should separate doses of levothyroxine and one of these drugs. 4. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and estrogen-containing drugs may change dosage requirements. 5. Phenobarbital may decrease the effects of levothyroxine; but tricyclic antidepressants and over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, asthma, cough, cold, sinus, and diet medications may increase its side effects. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to thyroid hormone, levothyroxine, or liothyronine or to any other substances such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had angina pectoris, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or an underactive adrenal or pituitary gland. * If you have an underactive thyroid gland, you may need to take this medication for life. You should not stop taking it unless you first check with your doctor. * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking levothyroxine. * Over-the-counter allergy, asthma, cough, cold, sinus, and diet medications can increase the side effects of levothyroxine. Therefore, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ANY of these products. * Although many thyroid products are on the market, they are not all bioequivalent; that is, they may not all be absorbed into the bloodstream at the same rate or have the same overall activity. DON'T CHANGE BRANDS of this drug without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you are receiving an equivalent product. * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (fainting, rash, difficulty in breathing) in certain susceptible individuals. * Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Levothyroxine does not readily cross the placenta, and the drug appears to be safe during pregnancy. However, your dosing of levothyroxine may change during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.