General
Description & Use
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, levothyroxine
reverses these symptoms. Levothyroxine also is used to treat congenital
hypothyroidism (cretinism) and goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
Eltroxin tablets contain the active ingredient levothyroxine sodium
(previously known simply as thyroxine sodium in the UK). (NB.
Levothyroxine is also available without a brand name, ie as the
generic medicine.) Levothyroxine is the same as the hormone thyroxine,
which is produced naturally by the thyroid gland.
The
thyroid gland produces and releases two thyroid hormones: thyroxine
(T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). Tri-iodothyronine is the more
active thyroid hormone, and thyroxine is converted into T3 in
various parts of the body. These hormones are responsible for
maintaining a normal rate of metabolism in the body.
When
the thyroid gland is unable to produce normal amounts of thyroxine,
the level of both thyroid hormones in the blood decreases (hypothyroidism).
This results in a reduced rate of metabolism, leading to symptoms
such as weight gain, intolerance to cold and tiredness.
Levothyroxine
tablets are given to replace the thyroxine that would normally
be produced naturally by the thyroid gland. This returns levels
of T3 and T4 to normal.
Once
the thyroid gland becomes unable to produce thyroxine, it will
generally not return to normal function. This means that once
thyroxine replacement is started, it usually needs to be taken
for the rest of a person’s life.
The
daily dose should preferably be taken before breakfast.
What
is it used for?
Underproduction
of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Warning!
You
will need to have regular blood tests to monitor your levels of
thyroid hormones while taking this medicine. This will enable
your doctor to prescribe you the correct dose to increase levels
of your thyroid hormones into the normal range.
Certain
medicines can interfere with blood tests that you have to determine
your thyroid hormone levels (thyroid function tests). It is important
to inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking prior
to and at the time of blood tests.
Use
with caution in
Elderly
people.
Heart
disease such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or
history of heart attack.
Any
condition causing decreased function of the adrenal glands.
Decreased
production of all hormones by the pituitary gland (panhypopituitarism).
Diabetes
mellitus.
Rare
disease where there is a problem with the kidneys that causes
large amounts of dilute urine to be produced (diabetes insipidus).
Not
to be used in
Overproduction
of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis).
This
medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any
of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if
you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If
you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using
this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
