Levothyroxine
Drug Info
Generic Name: levothyroxine (lee voe thy ROK
seen)
Brand Names: Euthyrox, Levothroid, Levoxyl,
Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid
What is the most important information I should
know about levothyroxine?
There are many other medicines that can affect
levothyroxine. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Different brands of levothyroxine may not work
the same. If you get a prescription refill
and your new pills look different, talk with
your pharmacist or doctor.
What is levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine is a replacement for a hormone
that is normally produced by your thyroid gland
to regulate the body's energy and metabolism.
Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does
not produce enough of this hormone on its own.
Levothyroxine
treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).
Levothyroxine is also used to treat
or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland),
which can be caused by hormone imbalances,
radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.
Levothyroxine
should not be used to treat obesity or weight
problems.
Levothyroxine may also be used for
purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider
before taking levothyroxine?
Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in
the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine.
You should not use this medication if you have
had a heart attack, a thyroid disorder called
thyrotoxicosis, or an adrenal gland problem
that is not controlled by treatment.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor
if you have heart disease, coronary artery
disease, anemia (lack of red blood cells),
diabetes, problems with your pituitary or adrenal
glands, or a history of blood clots. You may
not be able to take levothyroxine, or you may
need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
If you use insulin or take diabetes medicine
by mouth, ask your doctor if your dose needs
to be changed when you start using levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine is in the FDA pregnancy category
A. This means that it is safe to use while
you are pregnant. It is also safe to use while
you are breast-feeding a baby. This drug does
pass into breast milk, but it is not expected
to be harmful to a nursing infant.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during
treatment. You may need to increase your dose
during pregnancy or if you plan to breast-feed.
In most cases, you will need to take levothyroxine
for the rest of your life. Taking levothyroxine
over long periods of time may cause bone loss,
which can lead to osteoporosis. Talk with your
doctor about how this could affect you. |
