Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) tablet is a synthetically produced thyroid hormone, which replaces or adds on to the natural thyroid hormones normally produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones help in many body functions related to growth and energy.
Levothyroxine Sodium is used to treat thyroid deficiency due to an underactive thyroid gland, inflammation of the thyroid gland and certain thyroid gland tumors.
Drug = Levothyroxine sodium
Strength = 100 mcg
Manufacturer = GSK Pharma
Quantity per sleeve = 100 Tabs (for the price quoted)
How To Take Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
Take Levothyroxine Sodium on an empty stomach half an hour before breakfast. Take it with a full glass of water.
Take Levothyroxine Sodium exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Levothyroxine Sodium must be taken regularly for it to work well. Do not skip any doses. You may need to take Levothyroxine Sodium for some time before the full benefits can be felt. Continue to take it even when you feel better. Do not stop taking Levothyroxine Sodium unless instructed by your doctor.
Dosage of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
Hypothyroidism: As replacement therapy: Initial: 50-100 mcg/day may increase by 25-50 mcg at 3 to 4 weeks intervals until the thyroid deficiency is corrected. Maintenance: 100-200 mcg/day.
Severe and chronic hypothyroidism: Initial: 12.5-25 mcg/day, increase by increments of 25 mcg at 2- to 4-wk intervals.
TSH suppression: For thyrotropin-dependent well-differentiated thyroid cancer: Doses >2 mcg/kg/day may be given as a single dose to suppress TSH to <0.1 MIU/L. For benign nodules and nontoxic multinodular goitre: Target TSH is generally higher at 0.1-0.5 MIU/L for nodules and 0.5-1 MIU/L for multinodular goitre.
Missed Dose of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose
Signs of overdose may include the following:
- Increased blood pressure
- Fever
- Tachycardia
- Agitation
- Arrhythmias
- Anxiety states
- Hyperkinesis
- Confusion
- Neurological complications
- Coma
Seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
People with the following medical conditions should not take Levothyroxine Sodium:
- Untreated hyperthyroidism
- Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- Acute myocardial infarction
Side Effects of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
Levothyroxine Sodium may have the following side effects:
- Nervousness
- Excitability
- Tremor
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Cramps
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Heat intolerance
- Headache
- Fever
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia
- Palpitations
- Restlessness
- Anginal pain
- Hypertension
- Severe depression
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Excessive weight Loss
- Menstrual irregularities
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Psychosis or agitation
- Increased bone resorption
- Reduced bone mineral density (especially in Post-menopausal women)
- Elevated liver function test
Potentially Fatal:
- Thyrotoxic crisis including convulsions
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Heart failure
- Coma
Warnings of Levothyroxine sodium(Eltroxin 100 mcg) Tablet
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- Warfarin
- Lithium
- Imipramine
- Sertraline
- Estrogens
- Theophylline
- Rifampicin
- Digoxin
- Amiodarone
- Propranolol
- Mefenamic acid
- Ibuprofen
- Cholestyramine
- Simvastatin
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Lanthanum
- Orlistat
- Androgens
- Antacids or supplements containing aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Levothyroxine Sodium.
How Does It Work?
Levothyroxine Sodium works by increasing the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and utilisation and mobilisation of glycogen stores and stimulates protein synthesis. It involves normal metabolism, growth and development, thus, these effects are mediated at the cellular level by the thyroxine metabolite, triiodothyronine.
Uses
Levothyroxine Sodium is used to treat the following conditions:
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe and chronic hypothyroidism
- TSH suppression
- Myxoedema coma
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Angina,
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetes insipidus
- Epilepsy,
- Pre-existing myasthenia syndrome
- Long-standing hypothyroidism
- Elderly
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Avoid alcohol
- Soy-containing products
Storage Conditions
- Store between 15-30°C. Protect from light and moisture.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Levothyroxine Sodium that is expired or out of expiry date.
