MedicineNet.com

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
February 9, 2012
Disclaimer

thyroid replacement-oral

GENERIC NAME: THYROID REPLACEMENT - ORAL

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

WARNING: This medication must not be used to treat obesity because serious, possibly life-threatening effects could occur. Excessive levels of thyroid hormone can cause irregular heartbeats, nervousness, weight loss, and insomnia.

USES: Thyroid replacement therapy is prescribed when not enough thyroid hormone is secreted from the thyroid gland.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication on an empty stomach. It is usually taken as a single daily dose before breakfast. Do not stop taking this medication unless consulting with your doctor. Replacement therapy is usually taken for life.

SIDE EFFECTS: Symptoms of low thyroid levels include fatigue, muscle aches, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, or dry brittle hair that tends to fall out easily. These symptoms should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Symptoms of high thyroid levels include headache, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, diarrhea, weight loss. If you experience any of these effects, contact your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart problems, diabetes, adrenal gland problems, any allergies (including drug allergies). Avoid using thyroid drugs for weight control. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Current information shows that this drug may be used during pregnancy. Small amounts of this drug are excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially about: warfarin, drugs that may increase heart rate or blood pressure such as decongestants or caffeine (decongestants may be found in nonprescription cough-and-cold medicines), estrogen products (including estrogen-containing birth control pills), digoxin, diabetes medicines. Certain medicines may decrease absorption of this drug into your bloodstream. Therefore, take this 4 hours apart from: calcium or iron supplements, aluminum or calcium antacids, cholestyramine or colestipol, sucralfate or sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Pill Identifier Icon

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.


Back to Medications Index

copyright


MedicineNet Doctors

Suggested Reading on thyroid replacement-oral by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    • Hypothyroidism
      • Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle.
    • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
      • Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US. This conditions is caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Symptoms may include: fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, excessive sleepiness, dry or coarse hair, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the front of the throat, and many more. Treatment is usually hypothyroid medication.
    • Thyroid Disease
      • There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
    • Thyroiditis
      • Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland. The inflamed thyroid gland can release an excess of thyroid hormones into the blood stream, resulting in a temporary hyperthyroid state. Some forms of thyroiditis can be diagnosed based on tenderness and enlargement of the thyroid gland. A thyroid scan sometimes is used in making the diagnosis. Thyroiditis can also be diagnosed with a biopsy of the thyroid gland.
  • Medications

  • Procedures & Tests

  • Pictures, Images & Illustrations

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

  • Health News

  • Health Features

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.



Symptom Checker: Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



thyroid replacement-oral

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid hormone production. There are many disorders that result in hypothyroidism. These disorders may directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread consequences for the body.

This article will focus specifically on hypothyroidism in adults.

What are thyroid hormones?

Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The gland wraps around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly - formed by two wings (lobes) and attached by a middle part (isthmus).

The thyroid gland uses iodine (mostly available from the diet in foods such as seafood, bread, and salt) to produce thyroid hormones....

Read the Hypothyroidism article »







Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick,
    easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including
    24 hour
    pharmacies