Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is used in adults and children to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid - a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone). Levothyroxine is also used in adults along with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy to treat a certain type of thyroid cancer . Levothyroxine injection is used in adults to treat myxedema coma . Levothyroxine belongs to a class of medications called hormones. It works by replacing thyroid hormone that is normally produced by the body. Without thyroid hormone, your body cannot function properly, which may result in poor growth, slow speech, lack of energy, excessive tiredness, constipation, weight gain, hair loss, dry, thick skin, increased sensitivity to cold, joint and muscle pain, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, and depression. When taken correctly, levothyroxine reverses these symptoms.

Levothyroxine is used in adults and children to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid - a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone). Levothyroxine is also used in adults along with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy to treat a certain type of thyroid cancer . Levothyroxine injection is used in adults to treat myxedema coma . Levothyroxine belongs to a class of medications called hormones. It works by replacing thyroid hormone that is normally produced by the body. Without thyroid hormone, your body cannot function properly, which may result in poor growth, slow speech, lack of energy, excessive tiredness, constipation, weight gain, hair loss, dry, thick skin, increased sensitivity to cold, joint and muscle pain, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, and depression. When taken correctly, levothyroxine reverses these symptoms.

You should not use levothyroxine if you are allergic to glycerin or edetate disodium, or if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: a thyroid nodule; thyroiditis (inflammation of thyroid gland); heart problems such as a heart attack, stroke ; a blood clot or a blood clotting disorder; diabetes (your diabetes medicine may need to be adjusted); anemia (low red blood cells); weak bones ( osteoporosis ), or low bone mineral density; problems with your pituitary or adrenal gland; an allergy to any food or drugs; recently received radiation therapy with iodine (such as I-131); or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having hypothyroidism during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth or other complications. The benefit of treating hypothyroidism may outweigh any risks to the baby. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different while you are nursing. You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using levothyroxine. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to levothyroxine : hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Levothyroxine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: sudden pain or trouble moving your hip, wrist, or back; fast or irregular heartbeats; chest pain, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder; wheezing ; fever , swollen glands, itching , joint pain , or not feeling well; nausea , vomiting , or diarrhea ; or high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth , fruity breath odor. Common levothyroxine side effects may include: fever, hot flashes , increased sweating ; tiredness; skin rash , hair loss ; chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath ; headache , leg cramps, muscle pain or weakness; tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, sleep problems ( insomnia ); increased or change in appetite; weight loss or weight gain; changes in your menstrual periods; or vomiting, diarrhea. 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.

You may not be able to use levothyroxine if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder or any heart problems such as a recent heart attack . Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems. Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of this medicine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss medications or appetite suppressants. Taking more than your recommended dose will not make this medicine more effective, and may cause serious side effects.

You may not be able to use levothyroxine if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder or any heart problems such as a recent heart attack . Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems. Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of this medicine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss medications or appetite suppressants. Taking more than your recommended dose will not make this medicine more effective, and may cause serious side effects.

No adult dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your thyroid hormone levels and also make levothyroxine less effective. If you use any of the following drugs, avoid taking them within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you use levothyroxine: calcium carbonate ( Alka-Mints , Caltrate , Os-Cal , Oyster Shell Calcium , Rolaids Soft Chew , Tums , and others); sevelamer , lanthanum; cholestyramine , colesevelam , colestipol ; iron supplements; sucralfate ; sodium polystyrene sulfonate ( Kalexate , Kayexalate , Kionex ); stomach acid reducers - esomeprazole , lansoprazole , omeprazole , rabeprazole , Nexium , Prilosec , Prevacid , Protonix , Zegerid , and others ( this applies to most brands of levothyroxine except for Tirosint-SOL ); or antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium - Gaviscon , Maalox, Milk of Magnesia , Mintox , Mylanta , Pepcid Complete , and others. Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: orlistat ; phenobarbital , rifampin ; ketamine , steroid medicines; antidepressants such as amitriptyline or maprotiline ; heart or blood pressure medication; diabetes medications; cancer medicine such as imatinib ; or a blood thinner - warfarin , Coumadin , Jantoven . This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with levothyroxine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.