Warning: the text is intended to supplement, not substitute for, expertise of your pharmacist. it should not be construed to indicate that use about the drug is safe or effective for you. Consult some your healthcare professional before using this drug.

Levothyroxine - oral

(lee-voe-thye-rox-een)

common brand names: Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid

Warning: this medication must not be used either alone or at combination with diet pills to treat obesity or for weight loss because serious, even life-threatening, effects could occur. large doses of this drug, especially with diet tablets, may cause symptoms about toxicity. look the Side Effects & Overdose sections since more information.

Unithroid Usage: Levothyroxine is used to replace the hormone that is normally produced by thyroid gland for a condition known as hypothyroidism. it is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormone in you're bloodstream in order for various organ systems in some your body to function properly. this medication is used to treat another types about thyroid disorders as well (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer).

How to use Unithroid: Take this medication on an empty stomach. It's usually taken as a single daily dose before breakfast. for kid who cannot swallow whole tablets, crush tablet & mix in 1 or two teaspoons (5 or 10 ml) of water, & give using a spoon or dropper as soon as possible after preparation. do not store the mixture for later use. do not mix crushed pills in soybean infant formula. Consult your pharmacist for more information. your healthcare professional may need to adjust your dosage based on youre medical condition, your response to therapy & you're laboratory test results. do not stop taking this drug without consulting with your doctor. Replacement therapy is usually taken for life. it may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in you're symptoms.

Unithroid side effects: Symptoms about low thyroid levels include fatigue, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, or dry brittle hair that tends to fall out easily. These symptoms should disappear as some your body adjusts to medication. If they persist or become bothersome, notify your physician promptly. Headache, nervousness, trembling, sweating, increased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss or insomnia may occur. If any about these effects persist or worsen, notify youre your doctor promptly. in rare instances, some hair loss may occur during the first several months of starting this medication. this effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this drug. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor promptly. Tell some your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath. Tell you're healthcare professional immediately if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: seizures. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate doctor attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Unithroid Precautions: this medication must not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult youre physician or pharmacist if you have: overactive thyroid conditions (e.g., thyrotoxicosis), a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), adrenal gland problems (e.g., uncorrected adrenal insufficiency). do not use thyroid drugs for weight control. Before using this medication, tell you're doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease), diabetes, male or female infertility problems, bone loss disease (e.g., osteoporosis), other hormone disorders (e.g., hypothalamic/pituitary hormone deficiencies, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome), other thyroid problems (e.g., nontoxic diffuse goiter, nodular thyroid disease), blood clotting disorders, any allergies. Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking this med prior to any surgery. Caution is advised when using it tablet in child because overuse may reduce child's future adult height. Consult your doctor for details. Caution is advised when using it pill in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of drug. Current information shows that it medication may be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you pregnant because your dose will have to be adjusted. Small amounts of this tablet pass in to breast milk. Consult your physician before breast-feeding.

Unithroid drug interactions: Before using it medication, tell your healthcare professional or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: warfarin, digoxin, estrogen products (including estrogen-containing birth control pills), diabetes medicines (e.g., insulin, glipizide, rosiglitazone), amiodarone, iodide (including radiographic contrast agents containing iodine), lithium, anti-thyroid agents (e.g., methimazole, propylthiouracil), androgens/anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone), high dose salicylates (e.g., aspirin), phenobarbital, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, maprotiline, sertraline), cytokines (e.g., interferon-alpha, interleukin-2), growth hormones, ketamine, theophylline. cash the labels on all youre medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they can contain ingredients such as decongestants or caffeine that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask you're pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Certain medicines may decrease absorption of it drug into your bloodstream. Therefore, take levothyroxine four hours apart from: calcium supplements, iron supplements, aluminum, calcium or magnesium antacids, simethicone, cholestyramine, colestipol, sucralfate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Certain foods may decrease absorption about this medication when taken in the same clock. Take levothyroxine separately from: soybean flour (soybean infant formula), walnuts, dietary fiber. don't start or stop any medicine without healthcare professional or physician approval.

Unithroid Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms about overdose may include: excessive sweating, extreme nervousness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, seizures.

Unithroid special notes: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., thyroid function tests) should be done periodically to monitor effectiveness about it drug. Inform your pharmacist if you change to different brand about thyroid hormone.

If you missed Unithroid dose: If you miss dose, take it as soon as you remember. If this is near the time about next dose, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. don't double the dose to catch up. Call your physician if you miss 2 or more doses at row.

Unithroid Storage: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light & moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 & 30 degrees C) is permitted. do not store in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from child and pets.

Active Ingredients : Levothyroxine