Drug Name

Levothroid (Levothyroxine)

Drug Uses

Levothroid treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). It is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.

How to use

Use Levothroid as directed by your doctor.

• Take Levothroid with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating.
• Levothroid is usually taken in the morning.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Levothroid is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothroid is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store Levothroid between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. Store away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not take tablets after the expiration date printed on the label. Keep Levothroid out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Levothroid if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Levothroid;
• you have a history of heart attack, chest pain (angina), adrenal gland problems, or elevated thyroid hormone levels that have not been treated.

• Levothroid may rapidly swell and disintegrate resulting in choking, gagging, the tablet getting stuck in your throat, or difficulty swallowing. It is very important that you take the tablet with a full glass of water. Most of these problems disappeared when levothyroxine tablets were taken with water.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Levothroid before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you are taking blood thinners at the same time as Levothroid, lab tests will be required to adjust the blood thinners.
• Diabetes patients - Levothroid may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Levothroid should be used with caution in children; overuse may reduce the child's final adult height.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is not known if Levothroid can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Levothroid while you are pregnant. Levothroid is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Levothroid, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• anxiety; diarrhea; flushing; mood swings; muscle weakness; partial, temporary hair loss; sleeplessness; stomach cramps; tiredness; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in appetite; changes in menstrual periods; chest pain; difficulty breathing; excessive sweating; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives or skin rash; hyperactivity; inability to handle warm or hot room/weather conditions; irregular heartbeat; irritability; leg cramps; nervousness; pounding in the chest; seizures; shortness of breath; tremors; weight gain or weight loss.

More Information

Levothroid is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.