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Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid)
What is Levothyroxine sodium used for?
Levothyroxine and pregnancy Pregnancy Category A. Levothyroxine is suitable for the treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Most women on levothyroxine need to increase their dose as soon as they find out that they're pregnant. Usually your doctor will increase your dose by about 25 to 50 micrograms. The exact dose will depend on the results of your blood test. Levothyroxine and alcohol There are no known interactions between alcohol and Levothyroxine sodium. Levothyroxine and coffee Can you take Levothyroxine with coffee? Several studies have found that drinking coffee at the same or shortly after taking levothyroxine tablets can significantly lower the absorption of the medication3. Wait an hour after taking the levothyroxine before drinking coffee. Levothyroxine and grapefruit Grapefruit juice may slightly delay the absorption of levothyroxine. However, grapefruit appears to have only a minor effect on levothyroxine bioavailability (the amount of drug that reaches your body), according to a 2005 "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" study2. To be on the safe side, eat a grapefruit or drink a grapefruit juice several hours after taking your thyroid hormone medicine. Foods and drugs that decrease Levothyroxine absorption
It is best to take levothyroxine on empty stomach, 30 minutes before breakfast, with a full glass of water. Levothyroxine contraindications
Cautions Diabetes: Levothyroxine can increase blood glucose levels, although this is rarely clinically significant. The dose of glucose-lowering drugs may need to be adjusted. Osteoporosis: Long-term levothyroxine therapy can decrease bone mineral density. Postmenopausal women and women using suppressive doses should receive the lowest dose necessary for clinical response. Overdosage: Levothyroxine overdosage can result in increased body temperature, tremors, hypoglycemia, fluid loss, tachycardia, and thyroid storm. Further reading References
Last updated: February, 2015 |
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