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home > drugs a-z list > levothroid (levothyroxine sodium) drug center
Levothroid
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Levothroid Drug Center
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Levothroid (levothyroxine sodium) 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. Levothroid is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Common side effects include hair loss during the first few months of treatment. This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this medication.
For adult hypothyroidism, Levothroid is started at 12.5-125 mcg/day taken orally. Dose may differ with individuals based on age, the presence of cardiovascular disease, tolerance, side effects, and blood levels of thyroid hormone. It may take one to three weeks before effects are seen. Levothroid may interact with calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate iron supplement, sucralfate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, antacids that contain aluminum, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Tell your doctor all medications or supplements you are taking. Current information shows that Levothroid may be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant as your dose may need to be adjusted. This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Our Levothroid (levothyroxine sodium) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Levothroid Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage
Levothyroxine sodium is used for the following indications
Hypothyroidism
As replacement or supplemental therapy in congenital or acquired hypothyroidism of any etiology, except transient hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis. Specific indications include: primary (thyroidal), secondary (pituitary), and tertiary (hypothalamic) hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism may result from functional deficiency, primary atrophy, partial or total congenital absence of the thyroid gland, or from the effec...
Read the complete drug monograph for Levothroid »
What is Levothroid Prescribing Information?
Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More
What is Patient information?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Levothroid Patient Information: Side Effects
Stop using levothyroxine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- headache;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- nervous or irritable feeling;
- fever, hot flashes, sweating;
- changes in your menstrual periods;
- appetite changes, weight changes;
Less serious side effects may include mild hair loss.
This is...
Read the complete patient information for Levothroid »
What is Levothroid Patient Information?
Possible Side Effects - Images - What Is - How Should I Take It - What If I Miss a Dose - What Should I Avoid and More
What is Consumer information?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
Levothroid Consumer Information: Uses
Levothyroxine is used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). It replaces or provides more thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Low thyroid hormone levels can occur naturally or when the thyroid gland is injured by radiation/medications or removed by surgery. Having enough thyroid hormone is important for maintaining normal mental and physical activity. In children, having enough thyroid hormone is important for normal mental and physical development.
This medication is also used to treat other types of thyroid disorders (such as certain types of goite...
Read the complete consumer information for Levothroid »
What is Levothroid Consumer Information?
Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More
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Additional Levothroid Information
Levothroid - User Reviews
Levothroid User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Levothroid sorted by most helpful.
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