Levothyrox 50 µg

Indication

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Treatment of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) of any cause, including after thyroid surgery or radioiodine treatment. Treatment of euthyroid goitre and prevention of goitre recurrence after surgery, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression in thyroid cancer.

Ingredients

• Levothyroxine sodium 50 µg

Direction

Oral use. The dose is individual and must be set by your doctor, then adjusted according to blood tests (TSH). Take the tablet once daily on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast, with a little water. The tablet is scored and can be divided into equal halves. Take at the same time each day and do not change dose or brand without medical advice. Prescription only — follow your doctor's instructions.

Side effects

• Signs of excess dose: palpitations
• rapid heartbeat
• tremor
• restlessness or insomnia
• Sweating
• heat intolerance and weight loss
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist if any side effect persists or worsens

Precautions

• Do not use to treat obesity or for weight loss — this is dangerous at high doses
• Tell your doctor if you have heart disease
• angina
• high blood pressure or adrenal insufficiency before starting
• Take at least 2 to 4 hours apart from calcium
• iron
• antacids or cholestyramine
• which reduce absorption
• Dose may need adjustment during pregnancy — inform your doctor if you are or become pregnant
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use
• and stop use if irritation or an allergic reaction occurs