Levothroid Generic

Thyroid hormones are one of the most important hormones in the body, which is primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism. If there is any imbalance in the thyroid hormone, it can lead to serious conditions like mild increase in the blood pressure, depression, sleep or memory disorders, or even some heart problems etc. So, proper check is very essential in this particular condition. The Thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3 are the thyrosine based hormones which are produced by the thyroxine gland. When there is an inadequate secretion of the thyroid hormones, it should be treated immediately and hence, generic Levothroid i.e. Levothyroxine medication is used. It is also used in the treatment of Hypothyroidism i.e. under active thyroid glands in adults and infants. It controls hypothyroidism but does not cure it and may take several weeks also.

Actually, Levothyroxine is a synthetic man-made version of the principle thyroid hormone thyroxine T4 that is made and released by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolic rate of cells of all tissues in the body and regularizes the hormone supply in the body. In the fetus and newborns, thyroid hormone is very important for the growth and development of all tissues including bones and the brain. In adults thyroid hormone helps to maintain brain function, food metabolism and body temperature among other effects.

There are many functions of the thyroid hormone. The thyronines can nearly act on every cell in the body and they act to increase the body’s sensitivity to catecholamine by permissiveness, basal metabolic rate, neural maturation etc. They also affect the protein synthesis and even help in regulating the growth of the bones i.e. long bones. Researches have revealed that, T3 can help treat the depression effectively. In this way, thyroid hormone is a crucial hormone, which has many important roles in the functioning of the body to keep it healthy.

Levothyroxine is usually started by single dose as 0.05 mg/day. Take the medicine empty stomached and at least 30-60 minutes prior to the breakfast. Starting doses and dose changes may differ with individual patients based upon the presence of cardiovascular disease the development of tolerance reduced effectiveness with continued use side effects to the medication, age, weight and blood levels of thyroid hormone. Your doctor may start the medication on small doses and increase them gradually.

Children and small babies, who feel difficulty in swallowing the whole tablet, can have the crushed tablet with 1-2 spoons of water. These crushed tablets should be mixed with water only. Do not add in the food and also avoid the soybean infant formula. In this case the mixture has to be fed immediately with a spoon or the dropper and such mixtures should not be stored.

It may take one to three weeks after initiating the therapy with Levothyroxine or changing the dose before effects are seen. Read the prescription label carefully and follow the directions exactly. Take the medicine in the prescribed amount and do not alter the proportion of the medicine more or less of your won.

Levothyroxine therapy is usually well-tolerated. If symptoms occur often they are due to toxic levels of thyroid hormone and the symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms may include all or some of the following: excessive sweating, nervousness, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle-aches, dry skin, slow heartbeat, weight gain, constipation, puffy face, thickening of skin, brittle / grey hair, hair loss, or sensitivity to cold, weight loss, chest pain, increased heart rate or pulse rate.

Stop the medication when these unusual symptoms occurs: Chest – pain, difficulty in breathing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, Hives/skin rash, Changes in menstrual periods, fever, sleeplessness, Diarrhea, Weight loss, Intolerance to heat/excessive sweating etc. Women may experience irregular menstrual cycles. Consult your doctor immediately and get treated accordingly.

Initiation or discontinuation of therapy with levothyroxine in diabetic patients may create a need for an increase or decrease in the required dose of insulin and/or antidiabetic drug e.g. glyburide Micronase.

Levothyroxine may increase the effect of blood thinners such as warfarin Coumadin. Therefore monitoring of blood clotting is necessary and a decrease in the dose of warfarin may be necessary. It also interacts with several diseases such as Thryotoxicosis, Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, Seizures, Adrenal insufficiency etc.

Intravenous administration of epinephrine to patients with coronary artery disease may lead to complications ranging from difficulty in breathing to a heart attack. These complications may occur more frequently among patients also taking levothyroxine. Therefore careful observation is needed when intravenous epinephrine is given to patients receiving Levothyroxine who also have coronary artery disease.

Converting a state of hypothyroidism underactivity to a normal state euthyroid state with Levothyroxine may decrease the actions of certain beta-blocking drugs e.g. metoprolol Lopressor or propranolol Inderal. It may be necessary therefore to change the dose of beta-blocker. For the same reason the dose of digoxin Lanoxin a drug used to manage heart failure or an irregular heart rhythm e.g. atrial-fibrillation also may need to be changed.
Drugs that include antacids containing Calcium carbonate, aluminium, ferrous iron supplements, Sodium polystrene sulfanate, Sucralfate. Cholesterol-lowering drugs should be taken 4 hours earlier or later than taking Levothroid, to obtain the full benefit of the medicines you are taking. Soybean flour i.e. infant formula, walnuts, cottonseed meal, and high fiber foods should be avoided in the diet, as these substances do not let the body absorb Levothroid medication fully.
Converting hypothyroidism to the euthyroid state with levothyroxine may increase the blood level of theophylline Slo-Bid and it may be necessary to change the dose of theophylline.

Taking Levothyroxine at the same time as cholestyramine Questran or colestipol Colestid two cholesterol-lowering drugs may decrease the effect of Levothyroxine and lead to hypothyroidism. This occurs because the Levothyroxine binds to the cholesterol-lowering drugs and is not absorbed. Taking the Levothyroxine one hour before or four hours after cholestyramine or colestipol is necessary to prevent the binding.

As Levothyroxine sodium interacts with many of the drugs, so consult your doctor accordingly.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Continue to take Levothyroxine medication, even if you feel well in the coming weeks and do not stop in between without consulting your doctor. The tablets may get stuck in your throat or cause gagging or choking, therefore the tablet should be taken with a full glass of water.

If your symptoms or any side effects do not improve or become worse, show them to your doctor immediately. Do not share the medicine with others and do not use it for other health conditions.

It is a single dose medicine, so it is easy to remember. But even if you missed the dose, do not increase your dose the following next day. And in case, if you miss the two consecutive doses, consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further. Do not double your doses in any case.

Actually, hypothyroidism is an over activity of the thyroid gland which leads to produce the high levels of the thyroid hormones and also speeds up the important body functions. Remember, untreated hypothyroidism in pregnant women can have an adverse effect on the IQ of the baby.

It can also be used as a hormone replacement therapy for the adults as well as babies to fight the thyroid hormonal imbalance to avoid any disorders.

This medicine can also be used to treat other types of thyroid disorders and for this you need to consult your doctor.

Levothyroxine tablets are stored at room temperature between 59 – 86 degrees F and 15-30 degrees C. Keep the medicine in a light-resistant tight container and away from heat or direct light. Powdered Levothyroxine for intravenous injection should be used immediately once mixed with a liquid.

Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Moisture or Heat may cause the break down of the medicine. In any case, do not store the medicine in the bathroom. However some manufacturers vary in their storage recommendations. Therefore storage conditions for each product should be clarified with a pharmacist.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Levothroid:

1. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, if you have or have ever had any major diseases like heart disease, anemia, coronary artery disease, problems with your adrenal glands, seizures, blood clotting, diabetes, osteoporosis or pituitary glands disorders etc or any other disease.

2. Tell your doctor that what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking or even any OTC like nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products etc. that you may be intaking.

3. Avoid alcohol and smoking during the course.

4. Take the brand of Levothyroxine medication only which is prescribed to you and do not try to change it on your own. This is because each brand contains a different strength of the drug. Try to stick to your prescribed dose and both under-treatment as well as over-treatment should be avoided in this case.

5. If you have to undergo any surgery or major operation, inform your surgeon or doctor, that you are taking this particular medicine.

6. Let your doctor or the physician know about your any kind allergies. They may be any food, medicine or any composition allergy. This information shall help the doctor to give you the best medicine that will suit your body.

7. Do not share the Levothroid with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. If the medicine is no longer in use or is outdated, discard it immediately after checking with your doctor or your pharmacist.

8. Do not discontinue medication on your own. Consult your doctor before doing so.

9. Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets.