Synthroid (levothyroxine) basics - Drug information, side ...

[Pages:1]Synthroid (levothyroxine) basics

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Replaces thyroid hormones. Synthroid (levothyroxine) effectively replaces thyroid hormone when your body is not making enough, but it's important to take it exactly as instructed since it's affected by other medicines or supplements.

What to expect when starting

Here's when people typically experience benefits as well as some possible side effects. Your experience may be different.

Synthroid (levothyroxine) Drug effectiveness

Hours Days

Weeks

Months

Long term

Possible side effects

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Hours

Days

Weeks

Months

Long term

Excessive sweating

Nervousness

Increased appetite

Diarrhea

Difficulty sleeping

Data on frequency of side effects is not available.

Tips from pharmacists

Take Synthroid (levothyroxine) on an empty stomach with a full glass of water at least 30 minutes before breakfast and other medicines. Take Synthroid (levothyroxine) at least 4 hours apart from taking any antacids, calcium or iron supplements, and multivitamins. Since Synthroid (levothyroxine) can interfere with several medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you're taking. Starts working in 1 to 2 weeks, and full effects take about 6 to 8 weeks. Can cause minor anxiety, sweating, or trouble sleeping while your body is adjusting to the medicine. If you find that these symptoms don't go away or bother you, talk to your doctor. Your dose may be too high. For Synthroid (levothyroxine), not all generics and brands are the same. Double-check with your pharmacist that you have the right medicine for you.

Risks and warnings

The FDA has identified these as possible serious or life-threatening risks with this medication. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these.

Weight reduction Synthroid (levothyroxine) shouldn't be used for weight loss. It's not recommended, safe or effective for this use. Taking high doses of Synthroid (levothyroxine) can cause serious or fatal effects especially if used with other medications for weight loss. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you can take to treat your condition.

Heart problems Taking Synthroid (levothyroxine) can cause heart problems, particularly in people with heart conditions and in the elderly. Call your doctor or get medical care right away if you have rapid or irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may be serious and due to overtreatment of Synthroid (levothyroxine). You may need to stop taking your medicine for one week, then re-start at a lower dose.

Diabetes control Use of Synthroid (levothyroxine) in people with diabetes may increase your blood sugar levels. After starting, changing the dose, or stopping Synthroid (levothyroxine), pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor if the levels are unusual, since the dose of the diabetes medicines may need to be adjusted.

This information relates to Synthroid prescribed for Hypothyroidism. This should not be taken as medical advice or guidance on your prescription, and is not a substitute for a health care provider's judgment. Any decision about the treatment or the reliability of information is the sole responsibility of your health care provider. For more information and to see what other people experienced, check out /drug/synthroid.

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