Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium tablets) is a synthetic thyroid hormone intended to replace a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland. Without this hormone, the body cannot function properly, resulting in poor growth, slow speech, and lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry thick skin, and increased sensitivity to cold. Generally, thyroid replacement therapy is to be taken for life.
Synthroid, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Without this hormone, the body cannot function properly, resulting in poor growth, slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry thick skin, and increased sensitivity to cold. When taken correctly, Synthroid reverses these symptoms. Synthroid also is used to treat congenital hypothyroidism and enlarged thyroid gland.
Take levothyroxine as a single dose, preferably on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast. Levothyroxine absorption is increased on an empty stomach. Levothyroxine sodium works best when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. 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.
Notify your doctor conditions you may have, particularly heart disease, diabetes, clotting disorders, and adrenal or pituitary gland problems. Your dose of medications used to control these other conditions may need to be adjusted while you are taking Synthroid. Agents such as iron and calcium supplements and antacids can decrease the absorption of levothyroxine sodium tablets. Therefore, levothyroxine sodium tablets should not be administered within 4 hours of these agents. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.
Tell your doctor if you experience: rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives or skin rash, or any other unusual medical event. In rare instances, some hair loss may occur during the first few months of starting this medicine. This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this medicine.