Synthroid

Description

Drug Uses

Synthroid is used for treatment of low thyroid activity and treating or suppressing different types of goiters. It is also used with surgery and other medicines for managing certain types of thyroid cancer.

How Taken

Use Synthroid as directed by your doctor. Take Synthroid on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 to 3 hours after a meal. It is recommended that you take your dose 1 hour before breakfast unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Take Synthroid with a full glass of water. Synthroid works best if it is taken at the same time each day. It may take 4–6 weeks before you notice an improvement in your symptoms. Synthroid will usually have to be taken for life, except in the cases of temporary low thyroid activity associated with thyroid inflammation and in patients who are taking Synthroid on a trial basis. For children or patients who cannot swallow whole tablets– Crush the tablet and mix in 1 or 2 teaspoons of water, and give using a spoon or dropper as soon as possible after preparation. Do not store the mixture for later use. Do not mix crushed tablets in soybean infant formula.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Synthroid, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Synthroid, if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, diabetes, bone loss (osteoporosis), digestion or nutrient absorption problems, infertility problems, pituitary gland problems, high thyroid levels, or other thyroid problems, if you have just had or are scheduled for surgery, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. It is not known if Synthroid can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Synthroid while you are pregnant. Synthroid is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast–feeding while you use Synthroid, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Some medicines may interact with Synthroid. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Synthroid if you have a history of heart attack, chest pain (angina), adrenal gland problems, or elevated thyroid hormone levels that have not been treated. Let your doctor know if you eat foods that contain soybean flour (infant formula), cottonseed meal, walnuts, or dietary fiber. These foods decrease the absorption of Synthroid. Your doctor may need to change your dose of Synthroid. Take Synthroid 4 hours apart from calcium supplements, iron, antacids (those containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium), simethicone, cholestyramine, colestipol, sucralfate, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate. These medicines may decrease the absorption of Synthroid into your bloodstream. Synthroid may rapidly swell and disintegrate resulting in choking, gagging, the tablet getting stuck in your throat, or difficulty swallowing. It is very important that you take the tablet with a full glass of water. Most of these problems disappeared when Synthroid tablets were taken with water. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Synthroid before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. If you are taking blood thinners at the same time as Synthroid, lab tests will be required to adjust the blood thinners. Synthroid may affect your blood sugar. Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Synthroid and might require a lower dose. Synthroid should be used with caution in children. Overuse may reduce the child’s final adult height.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

Some of the Possible Side Effects are– Anxiety, diarrhea, flushing, mood swings, muscle weakness, partial, temporary hair loss, sleeplessness, and stomach cramps, tiredness, vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately– allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), changes in appetite, changes in menstrual periods, chest pain, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, fast heartbeat, fever, headache, hives or skin rash, hyperactivity, inability to handle warm or hot room/weather conditions, irregular heartbeat, irritability, leg cramps, nervousness, pounding in the chest, seizures, shortness of breath, tremors, weight gain or weight loss.

Storage

Store Synthroid at 59 – 86 °F (15 – 30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Synthroid out of the reach of children.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Synthroid overdose are– chest pain, coma, confusion, disorientation, excessive sweating, extreme nervousness, headache, heart attack, increased bowel motility, irregular heartbeat, irritability, menstrual irregularities, seizures, shock, and tremor.

More Information

If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Synthroid should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer

This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose, it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.