What Is Levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid
hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid
gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone.
The drug is available
under the brand names Levothroid, Levoxyl, Levo-T, Synthroid, Tirosint, and
Unithroid.
Thyroid hormones affect
the metabolism of
protein, fats, and carbohydrates. They also affect a person's growth and
development.
If untreated,
hypothyroidism can lead to poor growth, slow speech, loss of energy, weight
gain, hair loss, dry skin, and increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.
Levothyroxine can help reverse these
symptoms. The drug can also help treat the congenital form of hypothyroidism,
as well as an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and thyroid cancer.
Levothyroxine has been
available in the United States since the 1950s, but the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) didn't approve it until 2000.
Important information
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 Warnings
Thyroid hormone is not a
treatment for obesity, and people with normal thyroid function
should not take levothyroxine.
If you have a healthy
thyroid and take levothyroxine, you could develop life-threatening side
effects. This is particularly true if you take the drug with amphetamines.
Although levothyroxine
treats an underactive thyroid, it's not a cure for the condition. You should
also understand that it may take several weeks before you see an improvement in
your symptoms.
Women on long-term
levothyroxine therapy may be at greater risk for osteoporosis. Over time, the
drug can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density.
A study published in
2014 in the Journal of Preventive Medicine & Public Health investigated the
link between the risk for broken bones and levothyroxine use among older women with
underactive thyroids.
The researchers
concluded that doctors should be particularly concerned about the overuse of
levothyroxine in older women with osteoporosis.
Before taking
levothyroxine, tell your doctor if you've ever had:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, such as atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”)
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain (angina)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Kidney disease
- Hepatitis
- Underactive adrenal or pituitary gland
- Blood-clotting disorders
Let your doctor know if
you have any type of surgery planned.
People with heart
disease, or older people at greater risk for heart disease, may need a lower
dose of levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine side effects
Get emergency medical
help if you have any 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.
Fast Escrow Refills coupon code: Fast0005
What other drugs will affect levothyroxine?
Many 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.
Buy levothyroxine
Levothyroxine 0.1 mg 90
TABLET(S) + 10 FREE! +$49.99
Levothyroxine 0.1 mg 180
TABLET(S) + 20 FREE! +$93.99
