THYROID HORMONES

Brand & Generic Names

Cytomel	LIOTHYRONINE
Eltroxin	Proloid
Euthroid	Synthroid
LEVOTHYROXINE	THYROGLOBULIN
Levoid	THYROID
Levothroid	Thyrolar
Levoxine	THRYOXINE
LIOTRIX

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Thyroid hormone

Uses

Replacement for thyroid hormones lost due to deficiency.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
At the same time each day before a meal or on awakening.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Increases cell metabolism rate.

Time lapse before drug works:
48 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacst.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
"Hot" feeling, heart palpitations, nervousness, sweating, hand tremors, insomnia, rapid and irregular pulse, headache, irritability, diarrhea, weight loss, muscle cramps, angina, congestive heart failure possible.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose Section.

Common:

Tremor, headache, irritability, insomnia, appetite change, diarrhea, leg cramps, menstrual irregulaties, fever, heat sensitivity, unusual sweating, weight loss, nervousness.

Infrequent:

Hives, rash, vomiting, chest pain, rapid and irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have had a heart attack within 6 weeks.
• You have no thyroid deficiency, but want to use this to lose weight.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have Addison's disease, have had adrenal gland deficiency or use epinephrine, ephedrine or isoproterenol for asthma.

Over age 60:
More sensitive to thyroid hormone. May need smaller doses.

Pregnancy:
Considered safe if for thyroid deficiency only. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Present in milk. Considered safe if dose is correct. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• No problems expected if dose is correct.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check thyroid, heart.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Digestive upsets, tremors, cramps, nervousness, insomnia or diarrhea may indicate need for dose adjustment.
• Different brands can cause different results. Do not change brands without consulting doctor.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Amphetamines*	Increased amphetamine effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased antidepressant effect.
tricyclic (TCAs)*	Irregular heartbeat.
Antidiabetics*	Antidiabetic may require adjustment.
Aspirin (large doses,	Increased effect of thyroid hormone.
Barbiturates*	Decreased barbiturate effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Possible decreased effect of beta
blockers*	blockers.
Cholestyramine	Decreased effect of thyroid hormone.
Colestipol	Decreased effect of thyroid hormone.
Contraceptives*,	Decreased effect of thyroid hormone.
Cortisone drugs*	Requires dose adjustment to prevent
	cortisone deficiency.
Digitalis	Decreased digitalis effect.
Ephedrine	Increased ephedrine effect.
Epinephrine	Increased epinephrine effect.
Estrogens*	Decreased effect of thyroid hormone.
Methylphenidate	Increased methylphenidate effect.
Phenytoin	Possible decreased effect of thyroid
	hormone.
Sympathomimetics*	Increased risk of rapid or irregular
	heartbeat.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Excess stimulation. Avoid.
Soybeans.	Heavy consumption interferes with
	thyroid function.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.