L-Thyroxine
Note: If this brand is out of stock, another brand will be send to you. Active ingredient and concentration will be the same.
Drug name: L-thyroxine
Brand names:
- Synthroid,
- Levoxyl,
- Levothroid,
- Unithroid,
- Eltroxin,
- Levo-T
- levoxine
Active ingredients: Levothyroxine sodium T4
Therapeutic actions: L-Thyroxine is the generic name for synthetic thyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement drug. This drug contains the synthetic form of one thyroid hormone, T4. L-Thyroxine is the most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone replacement drug.
Indications: L-Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones are produced and released by the thyroid gland and regulate the body's metabolism. When the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) it does not produce enough thyroid hormone and metabolism slows.
L-Thyroxine is approved to treat hypothyroidism and to suppress thyroid hormone release in the management of cancerous thyroid nodules and growth of goiters. In addition, Synthroid, Levoxyl and Levothroid also are prescribed with anti-thyroid drugs, for example methimazole (Tapazole), to manage thyrotoxicosis (high thyroid hormone levels due to over-activity of the thyroid gland). Thyrotoxicosis may result in the growth of goiters and/or hypothyroidism.
Containdications and cautions: L-Thyroxine should not be used either alone or with diet pills to treat obesity or for weight loss because serious, even life-threatening, effects could occur. Large doses of L-Thyroxine , especially with diet pills, may cause symptoms of toxicity.
Do NOT use L-Thyroxine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in L-Thyroxine
- you have a history of heart attack, chest pain (angina), adrenal gland problems, or elevated thyroid hormone levels that have not been treated
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using L-Thyroxine :
Some medical conditions may interact with L-Thyroxine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, diabetes, bone loss (osteoporosis), digestion or nutrient absorption problems, infertility problems, pituitary gland problems, high thyroid levels, or other thyroid problems
- If you have just had or are scheduled for surgery
Adverse effects: L-Thyroxine therapy is usually well-tolerated. If symptoms occur, often they are due to toxic levels of thyroid hormone and the symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms may include all or some of the following: chest pain, increased heart rate or pulse rate, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, or fever. Women may experience irregular menstrual cycles.
Interactions: Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with L-Thyroxine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aluminum salts (eg, antacids), aminoquinolones (eg, chloroquine), amiodarone, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate), raloxifene, rifampin, sertraline, or sucralfate because they may decrease L-Thyroxine 's effectiveness
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin) or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because side effects such as nervousness, fast heart rate, or irregular heartbeat may occur
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or ketamine because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by L-Thyroxine
- Beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol) or digitalis glycosides (eg, digoxin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by L-Thyroxine
Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
