WHAT IS SYNTHROID?

Synthroid is chemically levothyroxine and is used as replacement for the normally produced hormone of the thyroid gland. Thyroxine hormone helps to maintain the body’s energy and metabolism. Decrease in levels of this hormone can cause stunted growth, slow or slurred speech, weight gain, hair loss, malice and fatigue and increase in sensitivity to cold.

It is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism or reduced production of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland may get enlarged due to hormone imbalance, radiation treatment, cancer or surgical procedure. This condition is called goiter and levothyroxine is used to treat or prevent the occurrence of goiter.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED:

Before taking Synthroid:

Synthroid is generally well tolerated in most people as it is similar to naturally produced hormone. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to levothyroxine, thyroid hormones or any other drugs.

Synthroid contains acacia, lactose and corn starch, so inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of these.

Enlist all the medications that you are taking which may be prescription or non prescription, vitamins or herbal supplements and show to your doctor. While taking Synthroid, do not start any medication without first consulting your doctor. Especially inform your doctor if you are taking:

Anticoagulants like Coumadin

Anti anxiety agents or antidepressants

Amphetamines (psychostimulants)

Medicines for arthritis

Aspirin

Beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol, metoprolol etc.

Chemotherapy agents for treatment of cancer

Anti-diabetics

Oral contraceptives and estrogens, vitamins

Phenytoin, digoxin, steroids and theophyllines etc.

If you are taking calcium carbonate, aluminium containing antacids, iron supplements, orlistat, simethicone, lipid lowering drugs or sucralfate, take it at least 4 hrs before or after you take Synthroid.

Inform your doctor if you have or had diabetes, cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack, atherosclerosis or hardening of arteries, kidney disorders or hormonal imbalance of the adrenal and pituitary glands.

Inform your doctor if you have any surgery including dental surgery that you are taking Synthroid.

Before taking Synthroid, let your doctor know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast feeding.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

How Synthroid should be taken:

Synthroid should be taken once a day on an empty stomach. It should be taken orally with a glass of water half to one hour before taking breakfast.

Take Synthroid exactly as recommended and do not give your medicine to anyone else.

To start off, low dose of Synthroid will be prescribed to you and then gradually increased by your doctor according to your needs. Synthroid only controls hypothyroidism but does not cure it. Do not stop taking Synthroid even if you feel well. Do not make any changes to your dose or stop taking Synthroid before consulting your doctor.

In case you forget to take a dose of Synthroid, take missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it’s almost time for the next dose when you remember the previous dose, skip the missed dose and continue your medication as prescribed but do not take double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Avoid food products like infant soy formula, walnuts, high fiber foods like broccoli, cabbage, spinach etc as these may cause decrease in the absorption of Synthroid.

How Synthroid should be stored:

Synthroid should be kept in the original packing till before use.

It should be stored protected from excess temperature and moisture and away from the reach of children.

Expired medicine should not be stored or used.

Over dosage:

Therapeutic over dosage may cause chest pain; thumping heartbeats, shivers, and shortness of breath, muscular cramps in the legs, disorientation, nausea, diarrhea, or seizures. Immediately contact your health care provider in case you think you have taken more Synthroid than you should take.

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Synthroid should not be taken as an Anti Obesity drug in patients with normal thyroid function as it may show severe toxic reactions.

It is important for the doctor to monitor your response to Synthroid, therefore get your laboratory tests done regularly.

It is recommended that you carry a list of all medications you are taking and carry that list wherever you go for ready reference in case of emergencies.

INGREDIENTS:

Active ingredient in Synthroid is levothyroxine sodium. The inactive ingredients present in the tablet are Acacia, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, and talc.

Synthroid may or may not cause the following side effects in you. Inform your doctor if any of these symptoms occur and are severe.

Weight loss

Tremors and muscular weaknesses

Headaches, hyperactivity and emotional imbalances.

Queasiness, vomiting

Diarrhea

Irritability

Shortness of breath

Sleeplessness

Flushing and temporary hair loss

Excessive sweating

Change in appetite

Changes in menstrual patterns in women

Sensitivity to temperature

Apprehension, nervousness

Fever and malice

Immediately seek medical attention if you experience chest pains or angina and irregular heart beat or pulse
Synthroid should be used judiciously in infants and children. Overtreatment in infants may cause craniosynostosis (i.e. prevention of normal skull expansion in infants due to premature fusion of the sutures between the growth plates in

Will Synthroid cure my hypothyroidism?

Synthroid only controls Hypothyroidism and does not cure it. It takes several weeks before visible changes occur in your symptoms.

What’s in Synthroid?

Active Ingredient in Synthroid is Levothyroxine sodium.

How does Synthroid work?

Synthroid is used as a replacement for the normally produced hormone of the thyroid gland, thyroxine when the thyroid gland due to some medical condition is unable to produce sufficient quantity of thyroxine hormone.

Are there any drugs I can’t take in combination with Synthroid?

Any concomitant medication should be informed to the doctor. Especially let the doctor know if you are taking anticoagulants like Coumadin, antidepressants, medicines for pain relief in arthritis, aspirin, beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol, metoprolol etc., chemotherapy agents, anti diabetics and oral contraceptives.

Can Synthroid cause an allergic reaction? If so, what are the signs?

Synthroid can cause allergic reaction. Inform your doctor immediately if you get any signs of allergic reaction like hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in the oral cavity etc.

What happens if I miss a dose of Synthroid?

Take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it’s almost time to take the next dose, do not take the missed dose and take the next dose as usual. Do not take double dose to make up for the one you missed.