Ethyrox 50 mcg 100 tablets

Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone medication used to replace the lack of thyroid hormone available in your body. It is used to treat the following indications:

• Hypothyroidism, a medical condition that causes the thyroid gland to secrete a smaller than normal amount of thyroid hormone. The function of thyroid hormone is to regulate your metabolism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: cold intolerance, muscle pain, hair loss, deep voice, fatigue, weight gain, and dry, flaky skin.

• Tumors that respond to TSH (parathyroid tumor type).

Do not take levothyroxine

• If you are allergic to levothyroxine, or any other ingredients this medicine contains. Tell your doctor about the symptoms you experience.

• If you suffer from uncorrected adrenal insufficiency (underactive adrenal glands in your kidneys).


Warnings and precautions

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you develop allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, rash, swelling of the face or neck, low blood pressure, or dizziness.

• Talk to your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of heart problems such as: shortness of breath, fatigue on exertion, chest pain, peripheral swelling, and fast or slow heart rate. Be sure to tell your doctor about any heart disease you have.

• Your doctor may recommend periodic thyroid hormone tests to make sure your levels are normal.

• Be sure to tell your doctor about any problems with your adrenal glands before starting this medication.

• This medicine may affect your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Dosage adjustments of your diabetes medications and close regular monitoring of blood glucose levels are required.

• This medication may negatively affect your bone density if you take a higher dose than required.


Possible side effects of levothyroxine

Possible side effects of levothyroxine include hyperthyroidism side effects if too many doses are taken such as: increased blood pressure or heart rate, shortness of breath, fatigue on exertion, chest pain, peripheral swelling, palpitations, cramps, fatigue, and weight loss. Heat intolerance, fever, sweating, headache, anxiety, nervousness, muscle weakness, tremors, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, increase in liver enzymes, hair loss and skin rashes, decrease in body density, weakness. Fertility and irregular menstrual cycle.



Other medications and levothyroxine

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any of the following medicines:



• If you take nutritional supplements containing calcium or iron.

• If you are taking orlistat (used for constipation).

• If you are taking bile acid steroids (used to treat high blood cholesterol levels).

• If you are taking ion exchange resins (used to treat abnormal electrolyte levels).

• If you are taking proton pump inhibitors, sucralfate, and antacids (used to treat excess stomach acidity).

• If you are taking simethicone (used to treat bloating).

• If you are taking birth control pills that contain estrogen.

• If you are taking clofibrate (used to lower levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood).

• If you are taking steroids.

• If you are taking carbamazepine, phenobarbital or phenytoin (used for seizures).

• If you are taking furosemide (diuretic).

• If you are taking rifampin (used to treat tuberculosis).

• If you are taking beta blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and some heart problems).

• If you are taking amiodarone (used to treat irregular heartbeats).

• If you take diabetes medications.

• If you are taking blood thinners.

• If you are taking digoxin (used to treat some heart problems).

• If you are taking antidepressants.

• If you are taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (used to treat some types of cancer).


How to take levothyroxine

grown ups:

The general recommended initial dose is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. The dose is adjusted in increments of 12.5-25 mcg every 4-6 weeks until normal thyroid hormone levels are achieved. Then, the thyroid hormone levels are checked every 6-12 months after that. The initial dose is not fixed and may change depending on the indication and its severity. Pregnant women may also need higher doses depending on thyroid hormone levels.

children:

Dosages depend on weight. Take your dose as prescribed by your doctor. Close monitoring of thyroid hormone levels is required every 2-4 weeks until normal levels are reached and every 3-12 months thereafter until growth is complete.

• Take the tablet as a single daily dose.

• Take on an empty stomach, half an hour to an hour before breakfast.

• Take tablets at least 4 hours before or after calcium or iron and antacids.

• Take the tablet with a full glass of water.


How to store levothyroxine

• Store the medicine at a temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius

• Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets

• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date stated on the package

• Keep the medicine in its original container so that it is not exposed to moisture

• Do not take damaged pills

• Do not dispose of the medicine in wastewater or household waste