Synthroid

Brand name:Synthroid
Pronounced: SIN-throid
Generic name: Levothyroxine

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Why is Synthroid prescribed?

Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone available in tablet or injectable form, may be given in any of the following cases:

If your own thyroid gland is not making enough hormone;

If you have an enlarged thyroid (a goiter) or are at risk for developing a goiter;

If you need a "suppression test" to determine whether your thyroid gland is making too much hormone;

If you have certain cancers of the thyroid;

If your thyroid production is low due to surgery, radiation, certain drugs, or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain.

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Most important fact about Synthroid

If you are taking Levothyroxine to make up for a lack of natural hormone, it is important to take it regularly at the same time every day. You will probably need to take it for the rest of your life.

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How should you take Synthroid?

Take Synthroid exactly as directed. Take no more or less than the prescribed amount and take it no more or less often than prescribed. Take your dose at the same time every day for consistent effect. Do not use it for any other condition or let anyone else use it for whatever reason.

If an infant or child cannot swallow whole tablets, you may crush a Synthroid tablet and mix it into a spoonful of water, breast milk, or non-soy formula, or sprinkle it over a small amount of food such as cooked cereal or applesauce. Give this mixture while it is very fresh; never store it for future use.

While taking Levothyroxine, your doctor will perform periodic blood tests to determine whether you are getting the right amount.

—If you miss a dose…

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time. If you miss 2 or more doses in a row, consult your doctor.

—Storage instructions…

Keep Levothyroxine in a tightly closed container. Store it at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.

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What side effects may occur?

Side effects from Levothyroxine, other than overdose symptoms, are rare. People who are treated with Levothyroxine may initially lose some hair, but this effect is usually temporary. You may have an allergic reaction such as a rash or hives. Children may have an increase in pressure within the skull. Excessive dosage or a too rapid increase in dosage may lead to overstimulation of the thyroid gland. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any if the following symptoms.

Symptoms of overstimulation:
Abdominal cramps, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, fever, headache, heat intolerance, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, leg cramps, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss

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Why should Synthroid not be prescribed?

You should not be treated with Levothyroxine if you are hypersensitive to thyroid hormone; your thyroid gland is making too much thyroid hormone; you have had a recent heart attack; or your adrenal glands are not making enough corticosteroid hormone. If you are sensitive to dyes, you can take the Synthroid 50-microgram tablet, which is made without color additives.

Although Levothyroxine will speed up your metabolism, it is not effective as a weight-loss drug and should not be used as such. An overdose may cause life-threatening side effects, especially if you take Synthroid with an appetite-suppressant medication.

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Special warnings about Synthroid

Synthroid has profound effects on the body. Make sure your doctor is aware of all your medical problems, especially conditions related to the heart and disorders of the adrenal or pituitary glands. The doctor will also need to know about any allergies you may have to food or medicine, and will ask for the names of any medications you take, whether over-the-counter.

You should receive low doses of Levothyroxine, under very close supervision, if you are an older person, or if you suffer from high blood pressure, angina (chest pain caused by a heart condition), or other types of heart disease. You may have to stop taking the drug if you develop chest pain or additional circulatory problems.

If you have diabetes, or if your body makes insufficient adrenal corticosteroid hormone, Levothyroxine will tend to make your symptoms worse. If you take medication for any of these disorders, the dosage will probably have to be adjusted once you begin taking Levothyroxine. If diabetes is the problem, you should immediately report to your doctor any change in your glucose readings.

Synthroid may cause seizures at the beginning of treatment, although this is rare. You may also notice some hair loss at first, but this is temporary.

It may take a few weeks for Synthroid to begin working, and you may not see any change in your symptoms until then.

Tell your doctor or dentist you are taking Levothyroxine before you have surgery of any kind.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking Synthroid. Your dose may need to be increased.

Do not switch to another brand of levothyroxine without consulting your doctor.

Excessive doses of Synthroid in infants may cause the top of the skull to close too early.

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Possible food and drug interactions
Synthroid can interact with a wide variety of medications. It's advisable to check with your doctor before taking any other drug, but you should be especially wary of the following:

- Androgens (male hormones)
- Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide
- Antidepressants such as Elavil, Nardil, and Prozac
- Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
- Diabetes medicines such as insulin and Micronase
- Diet drugs, including amphetamines
- Digitalis-type drugs such as Lanoxin
- Epinephrine injections such as EpiPen
- Estrogen products and oral contraceptives
- Iron supplements
- Soy-containing supplements
- Sucralfate (Carafate)
- The cholesterol-lowering drugs Colestid and Questran

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Special information
If you need to take Synthroid because of a thyroid hormone deficiency, you can continue to take the medication during pregnancy. In fact, your doctor will test you regularly and may increase your dose. Once your baby is born, you may breastfeed while continuing to take carefully regulated doses of Levothyroxine.

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Recommended dosage

Your doctor will tailor the dosage to meet your individual requirements, taking into consideration the status of your thyroid gland and other medical conditions you may have. Older adults often require somewhat smaller doses. To make sure the dosage is right for you, the doctor will monitor your thyroid hormone level with periodic blood tests.

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Overdosage

If you suspect a Levothyroxine overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Taken in excess, the drug may have serious consequences.

Symptoms of Synthroid overdose may include:
Abdominal cramps, chest pain, diarrhea, excessive sweating, fever, headache, heat intolerance, increased appetite, increased pulse and blood pressure, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, menstrual irregularities, nervousness, palpitations, tremors, weight loss