Synthroid Levothyroxine: Side effects, Interactions, and Overdose

Administer thyroid hormone products formulated for intravenous administration to treat myxedema coma. Initiate SYNTHROID therapy in this population at lower doses than those recommended in younger individuals or in patients without cardiac disease see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and Use In Specific Populations. Hypersensitivity reactions to inactive ingredients have occurred in patients treated with thyroid hormone products. These include urticaria, pruritus, skin rash, flushing, angioedema, various gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), fever, arthralgia, serum sickness, and wheezing.

Levothyroxine interactions: What foods and medications should be avoided while taking levothyroxine?

• Because thyroid function can fluctuate during pregnancy, a doctor might need to adjust the dosage of levothyroxine taken during pregnancy.
• It is meant to replace a hormone that is usually made by your thyroid gland.
• Because of this, people should not take over-the-counter weight loss supplements.
• Not all generic forms of Synthroid are created equal, which can create additional side effects, Goldfarb says.

Seizures occurred in a 3-yearold child ingesting 3.6 mg of levothyroxine. Symptoms may not necessarily be evident or may not appear until several days after ingestion of levothyroxine sodium. Consumption of certain foods may affect SYNTHROID absorption thereby necessitating adjustments in dosing see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. Soybean flour, cottonseed meal, walnuts, and dietary fiber may bind and decrease the absorption of SYNTHROID from the gastrointestinal tract. Grapefruit juice may delay the absorption of levothyroxine and reduce its bioavailability. For pregnant patients with pre-existing hypothyroidism, measure serum TSH and free-T4 as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and, at minimum, during each trimester of pregnancy.

Synthroid Side Effects That Might Mean Your Dosage Is Way Off

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Synthroid only for the indication prescribed. Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. If you become pregnant while taking Synthroid, do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor’s advice. Having low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby.

Monitor serum free-T4 levels and maintain in the upper half of the normal range in these patients. Biotin supplementation may interfere with immunoassays for TSH, T4, and T3, resulting in erroneous thyroid hormone test results. Stop biotin and biotin-containing supplements for at least 2 days before assessing TSH and/or T4 levels see DRUG INTERACTIONS. Start at a lower starting dosage and increase the dosage every 4 to 6 weeks as needed based on clinical and laboratory response. Certain foods and medications can interfere with the way your body absorbs or processes Synthroid.

• In adult patients with primary hypothyroidism, monitor serum TSH levels after an interval of 6 to 8 weeks after any change in dosage.
• Our Synthroid Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
• Closely monitor coagulation tests to permit appropriate and timely dosage adjustments.
• Certain foods and medications can interfere with the way your body absorbs or processes Synthroid.

Similarly, if you suddenly lose a bunch of weight, it may mean your meds are too high, she adds. SYNTHROID is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS. Long-term carcinogenicity studies in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of levothyroxine have not been performed. Studies to evaluate mutagenic potential and animal fertility have not been performed. If cardiac symptoms develop or worsen, reduce the SYNTHROID dose or withhold for one week and restart at a lower dose.

Patient resources

While most women tolerate the different generics just fine, some may have a reaction to the other ingredients used in the pills. If you’ve got a rash, fever, exhaustion, or hives, call your doctor immediately, she says. They can switch you to a different type of generic or tell the pharmacy you need to be on the brand name. The thyroid has a big effect on your weight and appetite, making you gain or lose weight rapidly. If you suddenly put on more than a few pounds, it could be a sign your meds aren’t working or the dose is too low, Goldfarb says.

Thyroid hormones, including SYNTHROID, either alone or with other therapeutic agents, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss. In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects. SYNTHROID® (levothyroxine sodium) tablets, for oral use is a prescription, man-made thyroid hormone that is used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism in adults and children, including infants.

Your thyroid is basically the on-board computer for your body—the hormones it regulates affect almost every system and as long as it’s doing its job you forget it’s even there. Along with its needed effects, levothyroxine (the active ingredient contained in Synthroid) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Closely monitor infants during the first 2 weeks of SYNTHROID therapy for cardiac overload azithromycin synthroid and arrhythmias.

Hormones and headaches go together like PMS and chocolate, sadly. So anytime you mess with your hormone levels you have the potential for a real headache. That said, many women find their chronic headaches improve once the Synthroid kicks in. The bump that moves is the cartilage often called the Adam’s apple, and underneath that is where your thyroid sits.