LEVOTHYROXINE

Levothyroxine is a drug that replaces the thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland to regulate the body’s energy and metabolism.

It is used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and is given when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of this hormone on its own. Therapeutically it is given to treat or prevent goitre (enlarged thyroid gland), caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.

Precautions:

It should not be used in the following medical conditions.

• To treat obesity or weight problems
• An untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder:
• A thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis;
• thyroid nodule;
• Symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling).
• Heart disease, a blood clot, or a blood-clotting disorder;
• Diabetes (insulin or oral diabetes medication doses to be changed when taking this medicine);
• Kidney disease;
• pituitary gland complaints
• Anemia (lack of red blood cells);
• Osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
• Any food or drug allergies.
• If recently received radiation therapy with iodine (such as i-131).

Dosage Forms:

It is available as oral tablet, capsule, and injection.

It is taken orally, on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. The injection is given as an infusion into a vein.

Strengths : 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 100 mcg, 125 mcg, 150 mcg, 175 mcg, 200 mcg, 300 mcg.

Dosage will be based on the age, weight, thyroid hormone levels, other conditions and other drugs used. The typical dosage is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. For pregnant and lactating women a higher dosage is required.

‘Thyroid hormone levels are to be monitored during treatment through blood tests.

Over dosage causes headache, leg cramps, tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fast or pounding heartbeats.

The food products which can reduce its absorption: grape fruit juice, infant soy formula, soybean flour, cotton seed meal, walnuts, and high-fiber foods.

Side effects-allergic reactions:

Hives, difficulty in breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. chest pain, irregular heartbeats; Headache, leg cramps, muscle pain or weakness; tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, trouble sleeping; memory problems, feeling depressed or irritable; dryness of your skin or hair, hair loss; irregular menstrual periods; or vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture, light and heat.

Do not take these drugs within 4 hours before or after levothyroxine.