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What is Levothroid and Information
Levothyroxine (Levothroid) should not be used either alone or with diet pills to treat obesity or for weight loss because serious, even life-threatening, effects could occur.
Large doses of Levothyroxine (Levothroid), especially with diet pills, may cause symptoms of toxicity.
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Uses of Levothroid
Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, is used in the treatment of low thyroid activity and treating or suppressing different types of goitres.
Levothyroxine is also used with surgery and other medicines for managing certain types of thyroid cancer.
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How to use Levothroid?
Take exactly as prescribed by your health care professional.
Contact your paediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children.
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Levothroid (levothyroxine) side effects
Stop using levothyroxine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- Headache;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Nervous or irritable feeling;
- Fever, hot flashes, sweating;
- Changes in your menstrual periods;
- Appetite changes, weight changes;
Less serious side effects may include mild
hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Levothroid Interaction
Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines especially any of the following:
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Sertraline
- Rifampin
- Raloxifene or sucralfate
- Ketamine
- Iron salts (eg ferrous sulfate)
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg simvastatin)
- digitalis glycosides
- Beta-blockers
- Anticoagulants
- Amiodarone
- Aminoquinolones (eg chloroquine)
- Aluminum salts (eg antacids)
Ask your health care provider if Levothyroxine may interact with other medicines that you take.
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What happens if I overdose?
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
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Notes for Levothroid
If you conceive whilst on a course with this medication inform your doctor immediately.
If you need to undergo any kind of surgery, inform your doctor you are taking this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to conceive.
Generic Levothroid is cheaper then branded Levothroid.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Other uses Levothroid
As your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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Levothroid Storage
Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.
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What other drugs will affect Levothroid?
If you are taking blood thinners at the same time as Levothyroxine, lab tests will be required to adjust the blood thinners.
Diabetes patients - Levothyroxine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Learn the brand name and generic name of your medication. Do not switch brands without talking to your doctor or pharmacist, as each brand of levothyroxine contains a slightly different amount of medication.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, diabetes, bone loss (osteoporosis), digestion or nutrient absorption problems, infertility problems, pituitary gland problems, high thyroid levels, or other thyroid problems.