GENERIC NAME: LEVOTHYROXINE - ORAL (lee-voe-thye-ROX-een)

BRAND NAME(S): Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: This medication should not be used either alone or in combination with diet pills to treat obesity or for weight loss because serious, even life-threatening, effects could occur. Large doses of this medication, especially with diet pills, may cause symptoms of toxicity. See the Side Effects and Overdose sections for more information.

USES: Levothyroxine is used to replace the hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland for a condition known as hypothyroidism. It is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream in order for various organ systems in your body to function properly. This medication is used to treat other types of thyroid disorders as well (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer).

HOW TO USE: Take this medication on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. It is usually taken as a single daily dose before breakfast. For children who cannot swallow whole tablets, crush the tablet and mix in 1 or 2 teaspoons (5 or 10 ml) of water, and give using a spoon or dropper as soon as possible after preparation. Do not store the mixture for later use. Do not mix crushed tablets in soybean infant formula. Consult your pharmacist for more information. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage based on your medical condition, your response to therapy and your laboratory test results. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting with your doctor. Replacement therapy is usually taken for life. It may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in your symptoms.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Hypothyroidism - Learn about Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) including causes, symptoms (such as weight gain, fatigue, and depression), diagnosis, and treatment. Source:MedicineNet Thyroid Blood Tests - Read about thyroid blood tests, which are used to diagnose disease of the thyroid such as hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as well as point to other diseases of the thyroid gland. Source:MedicineNet Thyroid Nodules - Thyroid nodules can be either benign or malignant (cancerous). The majority of thyroid nodules are benign. Source:MedicineNet Read 39 more levothyroxine sodium related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection