Levothyroxine Tablets (25mcg, 50mcg, 100mcg)

When taking Levothyroxine, there is a risk of experiencing side effects. However, it is very important that you do not stop taking the medication or change the dose before you tell your doctor. When taking Levothyroxine, you may find that you experience the following possible side effects:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Temporary hair loss in children
• Diarrhoea
• Pounding irregular heart rate
• Delayed or irregular menstrual periods
• Headaches
• High temperature, including sweating or flushing
• Fast heart rate
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Vomiting
• Tremors, restlessness and excitability
• Weight Loss

Please be aware that it may take up to 5 days for you to experience some of these symptoms. They will usually disappear after lowering the dose or stopping the tablets, but you must not do this unless your doctor or healthcare professional tells you to.

It’s also possible for some people to experience serious allergic reactions to Levothyroxine. In this rare case, you must stop taking the tablets. You must call your doctor straight away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Sensitivity to the sun
• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the face
• Swelling of the tongue, lips and throat
• Severe itching of the skin
• A general feeling of being unwell

Levothyroxine acts as a synthetic form of the hormone thyroxine, also known as T4. Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid hormone levels are low, and your body is not making enough thyroxine. Levothyroxine will act as hormone replacement for the hormones your thyroid gland is not making properly.

You will require regular blood tests(usually annually) for as long as you are taking levothyroxine to monitor it, to ensure the medication is working properly, and to determine you are taking the right dose.

You will usually start on a low dose of Levothyroxine, which will increase or decrease based on your body’s response to it.

Levothyroxine is prescribed in tablet or pill form for oral use.

There aren’t any significant risks associated with taking Levothyroxine. It can be taken by most adults and children.

It is very important that you talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant if you have been prescribed Levothyroxine. For women who are pregnant, it’s possible their dosage may need to be increased, because low thyroid hormones can cause harm to an unborn baby.

There is research to suggest that Levothyroxine may be ineffective in treating hypothyroidism in the elderly. If you are in any doubt, seek medical advice.

Levothyroxine tablets can contain lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, you should consult your doctor before taking this medication.

Levothyroxine should not be used to treat any other symptoms. If you are experiencing other symptoms or have another condition, please contact your doctor.

Levothyroxine should not be taken by those with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid.) It also must not be taken by anybody who has had an allergic reaction to Levothyroxine (or any of the ingredients in the tablets) in the past, nor should it be taken by anyone who experiences problems with their adrenal glands.

You should check with your doctor before taking levothyroxine if you have experienced any of the following:

• Diabetes
• Heart problems, such as heart disease, heart failure or a heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Angina

Levothyroxine can interact with other prescription drugs or medications you may be taking. It may interact with antidepressants amitriptyline, maprotiline, and sertraline, potentially causing heart problems.

It can also interact with blood thinners, such as warfarin, making you more susceptible to bleeding.

It may also interact with ketamine, causing rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.

If you are in any doubt, you should speak to your doctor.