ELTROXIN Levothyroxine Sodium 50mcg Tablet 100's
RXDRUG-DR-9961
Discreet Packaging
FDA-registered Products
FDA-licensed Pharmacies
Indications/Uses
Hypothyroidism.
Dosage/Direction for Use
If the dose of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) is increased too rapidly, symptoms such as diarrhea, nervousness, rapid pulse, insomnia, tremors and sometimes anginal pain where there is latent myocardial ischaemia may occur, and the dosage must be reduced or withheld for a day or two, then restarted at a lower level. A pre-therapy ECG is valuable, as changes induced by hypothyroidism may be confused with RCG evidence of ischaemia.
Due to lack of data it is not appropriate to crush Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) tablets and thyroxine tablets without a score-line must not be halved.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) tablets should be preferably be taken on an empty stomach.
Missed dosage: If a scheduled daily dose is missed, the dose should be taken as soon as the patient remembers, unless it is almost time for the patient's next dose. Two doses should not be taken together.
Adults: Initially 50 to 10 micrograms daily, and adjusted at four to six week intervals by 50 micrograms until attainment of clinical and biochemical euthyroidism, normal metabolism is steadily maintained. This may require doses of 100 to 200 micrograms daily.
With patients aged over 50 years, it is not advisable to exceed 50 micrograms a day initially. Where there is cardiac disease, 50 micrograms on alternate days is more suitable. In this condition, the daily dosage may be increased by 50 micrograms on alternate days, at intervals of approximately four weeks.
Children: In congenital hypothyroidism and juvenile myxoedema, the largest dose consistent with freedom from toxic effects should be given. The dosage is guided by clinical response, growth assessment and appropriate thyroid functions tests - clinically normal pulse rate and absence of diarrhea or constipation are the most useful indicators. Thyotrophin levels may remain elevated during the first year of life in children with neonatal hypothyroidism due to resetting of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
For infants with congenital hypothyroidism, a suitable starting dose is 50 micrograms Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) on alternate days with increments of 50 micrograms on alternate days at interval of every two to four weeks until optimal response is achieved. The same dosing regimen applies to juvenile myxoedema, except that the starting dose for children older than one year may be 2.5 to 5 micrograms/kg/day. The calculated daily dose equivalent should be rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms to determine the actual prescribed dose.
Due to lack of data it is not appropriate to crush Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) tablets and thyroxine tablets without a score-line must not be halved.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) tablets should be preferably be taken on an empty stomach.
Missed dosage: If a scheduled daily dose is missed, the dose should be taken as soon as the patient remembers, unless it is almost time for the patient's next dose. Two doses should not be taken together.
Adults: Initially 50 to 10 micrograms daily, and adjusted at four to six week intervals by 50 micrograms until attainment of clinical and biochemical euthyroidism, normal metabolism is steadily maintained. This may require doses of 100 to 200 micrograms daily.
With patients aged over 50 years, it is not advisable to exceed 50 micrograms a day initially. Where there is cardiac disease, 50 micrograms on alternate days is more suitable. In this condition, the daily dosage may be increased by 50 micrograms on alternate days, at intervals of approximately four weeks.
Children: In congenital hypothyroidism and juvenile myxoedema, the largest dose consistent with freedom from toxic effects should be given. The dosage is guided by clinical response, growth assessment and appropriate thyroid functions tests - clinically normal pulse rate and absence of diarrhea or constipation are the most useful indicators. Thyotrophin levels may remain elevated during the first year of life in children with neonatal hypothyroidism due to resetting of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
For infants with congenital hypothyroidism, a suitable starting dose is 50 micrograms Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) on alternate days with increments of 50 micrograms on alternate days at interval of every two to four weeks until optimal response is achieved. The same dosing regimen applies to juvenile myxoedema, except that the starting dose for children older than one year may be 2.5 to 5 micrograms/kg/day. The calculated daily dose equivalent should be rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms to determine the actual prescribed dose.
Overdosage
Symptoms and Signs: In addition to exaggeration of side effects, the following symptoms may for example be seen: agitation, confusion, irritability, hyperactivity, headache, sweating, mydriasis, tachycardia, arrhythmias, tachypnoea, pyrexia, increased bowel movements and convulsions. The appearance of clinical hyper-thyroidism may be delayed for up to five days.
Thyrotoxicosis crisis has been occasionally reported following massive or chronic intoxication, leading to cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and coma.
Treatment: The goal of therapy is restoration of clinical and biochemical euthyroid state by omitting or reducing Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage, and other measures as needed depending on clinical status.
Treatment is symptomatic, and tachycardia has been controlled in adults by 40 mg doses of propranolol given every 6 h and other symptoms by diazepam and/or chlorpromazine as appropriate.
Further management should be as clinically indicated or as recommended by the national poison centre, where available.
Thyrotoxicosis crisis has been occasionally reported following massive or chronic intoxication, leading to cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and coma.
Treatment: The goal of therapy is restoration of clinical and biochemical euthyroid state by omitting or reducing Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage, and other measures as needed depending on clinical status.
Treatment is symptomatic, and tachycardia has been controlled in adults by 40 mg doses of propranolol given every 6 h and other symptoms by diazepam and/or chlorpromazine as appropriate.
Further management should be as clinically indicated or as recommended by the national poison centre, where available.
Administration
Should be taken on an empty stomach: Take 30 min-1 hr before meals.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation.
Thyrotoxicosis.
Acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis and acute pancarditis.
Thyrotoxicosis.
Acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis and acute pancarditis.
Special Precautions
Laboratory monitoring: Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) has a narrow therapeutic index. Appropriate Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage is based upon clinical assessment and laboratory monitoring of thyroid function tests. During the initial titration period, careful dosage titration and monitoring is necessary to avoid the consequences of under- or over-treatment. The symptoms of excessive Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage are the same as many features of endogenous thyrotoxicosis. Treatment with Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) in patients with panhypopituitarism or other causes predisposing to adrenal insufficiency may cause reactions, including dizziness, weakness, malaise, weight loss, hypotension and adrenal crisis. It is advisable to initiate corticosteroid therapy before giving Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) in these cases.
Special patient populations: The initial dose and any dose increments should be carefully chosen in the elderly and in patients with cardiac symptoms, diabetes mellitus or insipidus: too high initial dose or too rapid increase may cause or aggravate symptoms of angina, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure or a sudden raise in blood pressure.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) should not be used for the treatment of obesity or 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 anorectic effects.
Patients with myxoedema have an increased sensitivity for thyroid hormones; in these patients the starting should be low with slow dossing increments.
Thyroxine absorption is decreased in patients with malabsorption syndromes. It is advised to treat the malabsorption condition to ensure effective thyroxine treatment with regular thyroxine dose.
During pregnancy, serum thyroxine levels may decrease with a concomitantly increase in serum TSH level to values outside the normal range. Patients taking levothyroxine should have their TSH measured during each trimester. An elevated serum TSH level should be corrected by an increase in the dose of levothyroxine. Since postpartum TSH serum levels are similar to preconception values, levothyroxine dosage can be reduced to the pre-pregnancy dose.
In women, long-term levothyroxine sodium therapy has been associated with increased bone resorption, thereby decreasing bone mineral density, especially in post-menopausal women on greater than replacement doses of in women who are receiving suppressive doses of levothyroxine. To minimise the risk of osteoporosis, dosage of levothyroxine sodium should be titrated to the lowest possible level.
Pre-clinical Safety Data: No additional data of relevance.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: From the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of thyroxine, treatment with Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) would not be expected to interfere with ability to drive or operate machinery.
Special patient populations: The initial dose and any dose increments should be carefully chosen in the elderly and in patients with cardiac symptoms, diabetes mellitus or insipidus: too high initial dose or too rapid increase may cause or aggravate symptoms of angina, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure or a sudden raise in blood pressure.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) should not be used for the treatment of obesity or 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 anorectic effects.
Patients with myxoedema have an increased sensitivity for thyroid hormones; in these patients the starting should be low with slow dossing increments.
Thyroxine absorption is decreased in patients with malabsorption syndromes. It is advised to treat the malabsorption condition to ensure effective thyroxine treatment with regular thyroxine dose.
During pregnancy, serum thyroxine levels may decrease with a concomitantly increase in serum TSH level to values outside the normal range. Patients taking levothyroxine should have their TSH measured during each trimester. An elevated serum TSH level should be corrected by an increase in the dose of levothyroxine. Since postpartum TSH serum levels are similar to preconception values, levothyroxine dosage can be reduced to the pre-pregnancy dose.
In women, long-term levothyroxine sodium therapy has been associated with increased bone resorption, thereby decreasing bone mineral density, especially in post-menopausal women on greater than replacement doses of in women who are receiving suppressive doses of levothyroxine. To minimise the risk of osteoporosis, dosage of levothyroxine sodium should be titrated to the lowest possible level.
Pre-clinical Safety Data: No additional data of relevance.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: From the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of thyroxine, treatment with Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) would not be expected to interfere with ability to drive or operate machinery.
Use In Pregnancy & Lactation
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) has been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any form of definite disturbances in the reproductive process having been observed so far. Thyroid, hypo- or hyperactivity in the mother may, however, unfavourably influence the fetal outcome or well-being.
Thyroxine is excreted in breast milk in low concentrations and this may be sufficient to interfere with neonatal screening for hypothyroidism.
Thyroxine is excreted in breast milk in low concentrations and this may be sufficient to interfere with neonatal screening for hypothyroidism.
Adverse Reactions
The following effects are indicative of excessive dosage and usually disappear on reduction of dosage or withdrawal of treatment for a few days.
The frequency classification for these adverse reactions is not known due to a lack of robust clinical trial data to accurately determine frequency estimates.
Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash and pruritus.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Increased appetite, abnormal loss of weight.
Endocrine disorders: Hyperthyroidism.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Nervous system disorders: Headache, tremors, seizure. Rare cases of pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) have been reported especially in children.
Cardiac disorders: Anginal pain, cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, heart failure, myocardial infarction.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Dyspnea.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Sweating, alopecia.
Vascular disorders: Flushing.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Cramps in the skeletal muscle, muscular weakness. Excessive dose may result in premature closure of epiphyses in children with compromised adult height.
Congenital, familial and genetic disorders: Excessive dose may result in craniosynostosis in infants.
Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, emotional lability, nervousness, excitability, insomnia, restlessness.
Reproductive system and breast disorders: Menstrual irregularity, impaired fertility.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue, heat intolerance, fever.
The frequency classification for these adverse reactions is not known due to a lack of robust clinical trial data to accurately determine frequency estimates.
Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash and pruritus.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Increased appetite, abnormal loss of weight.
Endocrine disorders: Hyperthyroidism.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Nervous system disorders: Headache, tremors, seizure. Rare cases of pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) have been reported especially in children.
Cardiac disorders: Anginal pain, cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, heart failure, myocardial infarction.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Dyspnea.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Sweating, alopecia.
Vascular disorders: Flushing.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Cramps in the skeletal muscle, muscular weakness. Excessive dose may result in premature closure of epiphyses in children with compromised adult height.
Congenital, familial and genetic disorders: Excessive dose may result in craniosynostosis in infants.
Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, emotional lability, nervousness, excitability, insomnia, restlessness.
Reproductive system and breast disorders: Menstrual irregularity, impaired fertility.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue, heat intolerance, fever.
Drug Interactions
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) increases the effect of anticoagulants and it may be necessary to reduce the dose of anticoagulant if excessive hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding are to be avoided. Phenytoin levels may be increased by Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin).
Interactions affecting thyroxine: Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and phenytoin enhance the metabolism of thyroid hormones and may displace them from plasma proteins. Initiation or discontinuation of anticonvulsant therapy may alter Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dose requirements.
Enzyme inducers like rifampicin and barbiturates increase the metabolism and excretion of thyroxine, resulting in increased Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) requirements.
If co-administered with cardiac glycosides, adjustment of dosage of cardiac glycoside may be necessary.
The effects of sympathomimetic agents are also enhanced.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) increases receptor sensitivity to catecholamines thus accelerating the response to tricyclic antidpressants.
Interactions decreasing thyroxine absorption: Cholestyramine, calcium-, aluminium-, magnesium-, iron supplements, aluminium hydroxide, polystyrene sulfonates, sucralfate, lanthanum, bile acid sequesterants (e.g. colestipol), anion/cation exchange resins (e.g. kayexalate, sevelamer), calcium carbonate, and ferrous sulphate and proton pump inhibitors decrease the absorption of thyroxin. Separate the dosages of thyroxine and the previously mentioned medicines as much as possible to avoid interaction in the stomach or the small bowel.
Soy-containing compounds and high-fibre diets can decrease the intestinal absorption of thyroxine. Therefore, a dosage adjustment of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) may be necessary, in particular at the beginning or after termination of nutrition with soy supplements.
Co-administration of oral contraceptives, as well as a number of other drugs, including oestrogen, tamoxifene, clofibrate, methadone, and 5-fluorouracil may increase serum concentration of thyroxine-binding globulin, and therefore increase Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage requirements.
Reports indicate that some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may increase thyroid hormone requirements in patients receiving thyroxine therapy. It is unknown if this occurs with all statins. Close monitoring of thyroid function and appropriate thyroxine dose adjustments may be necessary when thyroxine and statins are co-prescribed.
Treatment with some tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib and sunitinib) was associated with increased Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage requirements in hypothyroid patients.
Medicines that (partially) inhibit the peripheral transformation of T4 to T3 like propranolol, amiodarone, lithium, iodide, oral contrast agents, propylthiouracil and glucocorticoids lower the T3 level and therefore also the therapeutic effect. The concurrent use of sertraline can reduce serum levels of thyroxine (with concomitant increased TSH levels).
Interactions affecting other drugs: Thyroxine can increase the need for insulin or oral antidiabetics in patients with diabetes. Lowering the dose of thyroxine can cause hypoglycemia if the insulin or oral antidiabetics dose remains unchanged.
Laboratory test interactions: A number of drugs may decrease serum concentration of thyroxine-binding globulin, and therefore decrease thyroxine dosage requirements, including androgens and anabolic steroids.
False low plasma concentrations have been observed with concurrent anti-inflammatory treatment such as phenylbutazone or acetylsalicylic acid and thyroxine therapy. Administration of acetylsalicylic acid together with thyroxine results in an initial transient increase in serum free T4. Continued administration results in normal free T4 and TSH concentrations, and therefore, patients become clinically euthyroid.
A number of drugs may affect thyroid function tests and this should be borne in mind when monitoring a patient on Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) therapy.
Interactions affecting thyroxine: Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and phenytoin enhance the metabolism of thyroid hormones and may displace them from plasma proteins. Initiation or discontinuation of anticonvulsant therapy may alter Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dose requirements.
Enzyme inducers like rifampicin and barbiturates increase the metabolism and excretion of thyroxine, resulting in increased Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) requirements.
If co-administered with cardiac glycosides, adjustment of dosage of cardiac glycoside may be necessary.
The effects of sympathomimetic agents are also enhanced.
Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) increases receptor sensitivity to catecholamines thus accelerating the response to tricyclic antidpressants.
Interactions decreasing thyroxine absorption: Cholestyramine, calcium-, aluminium-, magnesium-, iron supplements, aluminium hydroxide, polystyrene sulfonates, sucralfate, lanthanum, bile acid sequesterants (e.g. colestipol), anion/cation exchange resins (e.g. kayexalate, sevelamer), calcium carbonate, and ferrous sulphate and proton pump inhibitors decrease the absorption of thyroxin. Separate the dosages of thyroxine and the previously mentioned medicines as much as possible to avoid interaction in the stomach or the small bowel.
Soy-containing compounds and high-fibre diets can decrease the intestinal absorption of thyroxine. Therefore, a dosage adjustment of Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) may be necessary, in particular at the beginning or after termination of nutrition with soy supplements.
Co-administration of oral contraceptives, as well as a number of other drugs, including oestrogen, tamoxifene, clofibrate, methadone, and 5-fluorouracil may increase serum concentration of thyroxine-binding globulin, and therefore increase Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage requirements.
Reports indicate that some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may increase thyroid hormone requirements in patients receiving thyroxine therapy. It is unknown if this occurs with all statins. Close monitoring of thyroid function and appropriate thyroxine dose adjustments may be necessary when thyroxine and statins are co-prescribed.
Treatment with some tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib and sunitinib) was associated with increased Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) dosage requirements in hypothyroid patients.
Medicines that (partially) inhibit the peripheral transformation of T4 to T3 like propranolol, amiodarone, lithium, iodide, oral contrast agents, propylthiouracil and glucocorticoids lower the T3 level and therefore also the therapeutic effect. The concurrent use of sertraline can reduce serum levels of thyroxine (with concomitant increased TSH levels).
Interactions affecting other drugs: Thyroxine can increase the need for insulin or oral antidiabetics in patients with diabetes. Lowering the dose of thyroxine can cause hypoglycemia if the insulin or oral antidiabetics dose remains unchanged.
Laboratory test interactions: A number of drugs may decrease serum concentration of thyroxine-binding globulin, and therefore decrease thyroxine dosage requirements, including androgens and anabolic steroids.
False low plasma concentrations have been observed with concurrent anti-inflammatory treatment such as phenylbutazone or acetylsalicylic acid and thyroxine therapy. Administration of acetylsalicylic acid together with thyroxine results in an initial transient increase in serum free T4. Continued administration results in normal free T4 and TSH concentrations, and therefore, patients become clinically euthyroid.
A number of drugs may affect thyroid function tests and this should be borne in mind when monitoring a patient on Levothyroxine sodium (Eltroxin) therapy.
Storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from light.
Action
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Thyroxine (T4) is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thyroid gland and converted to the more active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) in peripheral tissues. The precise signals controlling the conversion of T4 to T3 within the cell are not known. The thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development, particularly of the nervous system. They increase the resting or basal metabolic rate of the whole organism and have stimulatory effects on the heart, skeletal muscle, liver and kidney. Thyroid hormones enhance lipolysis and the utilization of carbohydrate. 100 microgram thyroxine is equivalent in activity to 20 to 30 microgram liothyronin/triiodothyronine or 60 mg Thyroid BP and/or local pharmacopoiea specification.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Following oral administration, the absorption of thyroxine is incomplete and variable, especially when taken with food. The amount absorbed increases during fasting conditions.
Distribution: Thyroxine is nearly totally bound to serum protein.
Metabolism: The main pathway for the metabolism of thyroxine (T4) is its conversion, by de-iodination, to the active metabolite triiodothyronine (T3). Further de-iodination of T4 and T3 leads to production of inactive products.
Elimination: Thyroxine is eliminated slowly from the body with a half-life of approximately seven days in a normal person. This may be reduced in hyperthyroid states or increased in hypothyroid patients. In man, approximately 20 to 40% of thyroxine is eliminated in the faeces and approximately 30 to 55% of a dose of thyroxine is excreted in the urine.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Following oral administration, the absorption of thyroxine is incomplete and variable, especially when taken with food. The amount absorbed increases during fasting conditions.
Distribution: Thyroxine is nearly totally bound to serum protein.
Metabolism: The main pathway for the metabolism of thyroxine (T4) is its conversion, by de-iodination, to the active metabolite triiodothyronine (T3). Further de-iodination of T4 and T3 leads to production of inactive products.
Elimination: Thyroxine is eliminated slowly from the body with a half-life of approximately seven days in a normal person. This may be reduced in hyperthyroid states or increased in hypothyroid patients. In man, approximately 20 to 40% of thyroxine is eliminated in the faeces and approximately 30 to 55% of a dose of thyroxine is excreted in the urine.
MedsGo Class
Thyroid Hormones
Features
Brand
Eltroxin
Full Details
Dosage Strength
50 mcg
Drug Ingredients
- Levothyroxine
Drug Packaging
Tablet 100's
Generic Name
Levothyroxine Sodium
Dosage Form
Tablet
Registration Number
DR-9961
Drug Classification
Prescription Drug (RX)
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