"Levothyroxine": instructions for use, reviews, description, analogies

What is the purpose of the drug "Levothyroxine"? Instructions for use, the doctors' comments about this tool will be presented later. Also we will tell you about the form in which this medication is issued, whether it has contraindications and side effects, what it can replace, etc.

Composition of the drug and its form of release

In what form can I buy a drug "Levothyroxine"? Instructions for use, doctors' reviews say that this medication is available in tablets. On sale they come in the following amounts: 50, 25, 100, 75, 150, 125, 200 or 175 μg. Their active substance is levothyroxine sodium.

Pharmacological characteristics of the agent

What is the medical drug "Levothyroxine"? Instructions for use, reviews about this tool contain information that it is a hormone of the thyroid gland, which has a synthetic origin.

In small dosages the drug is able to have anabolic effect (that is, stimulate the production of protein). Average volumes of medicament increase the activity of the central nervous and cardiovascular system, the need for oxygen in tissues, activate the metabolism of proteins, as well as fats and carbohydrates.

As for high doses, with them the drug helps to lower the production of hormones of the pituitary and hypothalamus, which are produced by the glands of internal secretion (in the brain).

Pharmacokinetics of the medicinal product

Where and for how long is the drug "Levothyroxine" absorbed? Instruction means that after oral intake of the drug comes from the digestive tract and is approximately 49-78%.

Admission of the drug on an empty stomach significantly increases the absorption of the active substance. The maximum concentration of the drug is reached in about 5-6 hours.

The connection with plasma proteins is more than 98%.

The distribution of the drug occurs mainly in the liver, as well as in muscles and the brain.

The elimination half-life is 1 week. Approximately 15% of the drug is excreted together with bile and through the kidneys - in the form of conjugates and unchanged, respectively.

Indications for the use of a medicinal product

What can be used for the drug "Levothyroxine"? The instruction attached to this tool contains the following indications:

• Mixed goiter;
• Secondary, and also primary hypothyroidism;
• Complex therapy of toxic goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis and euthyroid hyperplasia of the thyroid gland;
• cretinism;
• Prevention of recurrences after surgery on the thyroid (after removal of malignant and nodal neoplasms).

Also, sodium levothyroxine is used for a differential diagnostic test of thyroid suppression.

Contraindications to admission

At what deviations can not take the medicine "Levothyroxine"? Tablets considered by us, it is forbidden to use with thyroid hyperfunction, myocardial infarction (acute). It is also contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to the main substance (ie, levothyroxine sodium), not cured insufficiency of the adrenal cortex.

Medicinal product "Levothyroxine": instructions for use

Reviews about this drug contain information that its effect is manifested only 7-13 hours after the start of therapy. But this is only if the medication was prescribed according to the indications and in the correct dosage.

The volume of the drug in question for the treatment of a deviation is determined individually, depending on the available indications. Usually at the beginning of therapy this medication is used in a dosage of 12.5-25 μg once a day (25-30 minutes before a meal). However, as a supportive treatment, this volume can reach 200 mcg per day.

During the differential diagnostic test, the drug is administered once in a volume of 3 mg or for 14 days at 200 μg once a day.

For the treatment of hypothyroidism of a congenital nature, babies up to 6 months receive 25-50 μg of medication, up to 1 year - 60 μg, and at the age of 1 to 5 years - 100 μg. For older children (6 to 12 years), levothyroxine sodium is prescribed in a dose of 150 μg. Teenagers after 12 years are given 200 mcg per day.

For adults with a diagnosis like hyperthyroidism, it is recommended to take 25-100 μg of drug per day. At the same time, the dosage is gradually increased (every two or three weeks at 25-50 μg). As a result, the amount of the drug reaches the support level and is about 125-250 μg per day.

After surgical intervention to remove the malignant tumor, the drug is taken in an amount of 300 μg.

With euthyroid goiter, as well as to prevent its re-education, adults are prescribed medication in the amount of 75-200 μg, and children - 12.5-150 μg per day.

Side effects after taking medication

Is it possible to take levothyroxine and alcohol simultaneously? To date, the interaction of this product with alcohol is not established. However, during treatment with hormonal drugs, it is not recommended to abuse strong alcoholic beverages.

As for side effects, after receiving the drug in question, patients may experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Among them, the following conditions can be noted: palpitation, tachycardia, arrhythmia, headache, angina attacks, tremor, nervousness, inner anxiety, sleep disorders, seizures, weight loss, muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, menstrual irregularities.

Overdose with medical device

When an overdose of this drug in the patient there are signs that are characteristic for severe or moderate hyperthyroidism. As a treatment for such conditions, symptomatic therapy is used. In this case, the taking of the medicine is immediately canceled.

It is also possible to prescribe beta-blockers. When using extreme doses, plasmapheresis is performed. One can not help saying that hemodialysis is ineffective in this case.

Interaction with other drugs

Is it possible to take the drug "Levothyroxine" and calcium at the same time? This element, as well as aluminum hydroxide and sucralfate reduce the absorption of the active substance of the first drug from the digestive tract.

It should also be noted that the main element of the drug potentiates the effect of indirect anticoagulants and reduces the effectiveness of hypoglycemic agents (oral).

In patients with diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism at the beginning of the substitution treatment with thyroid hormone medications, there is a possibility of increasing the need for hypoglycemic agents (oral) or insulin.

Dicumarin, salicylates, clofibrate and furosemide can quite easily displace levothyroxine sodium from the bond with plasma proteins.

Kolestyramin reduces the absorption of the active substance from the digestive tract.

When using "ritonavir" there is a high probability of increasing the need for "Levothyroxine".

During the application of "sertraline" in people with hypothyroidism, the effect of levothyroxine sodium decreases.

With the simultaneous administration of "Chloroquine" there is a possibility of increasing the metabolism of levothyroxine, as well as the concentration of TSH.

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy Time

During lactation and when carrying the fetus, the drug in question should be used only under the supervision of a doctor. The use in combination with thyreostatic drugs during pregnancy is contraindicated. This is associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism in the fetus in the womb.

Special instructions for taking medication

Why is the drug "Levothyroxine" and hair loss related to each other? The fact is that with broken functioning of the thyroid gland, patients can lose their hair quite violently. However, after taking medication, this sign of hormonal imbalance is almost completely eliminated.

The considered agent with special care is prescribed for people with cardiovascular diseases, including those with arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure. In these cases, the medication should be taken in a low dosage, increasing it very slowly and with a large gap.

An elderly patient with a long course of a disease such as hypothyroidism, therapy should begin gradually.

With the substitution of thyroid treatment in people with insufficient work of the adrenal cortex without adequate therapy (supportive) corticosteroids, there is a probability of developing an adrenal crisis (acute).

This drug is used with caution in diabetes mellitus.

In some cases, thyroid hormones cause or exacerbate the myasthenic syndrome (preceding).

Preparations "Levothyroxine" and "Eutirox": contrast, reviews

Despite the fact that both products have the same active element, each of them has its own characteristics. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the additional components that make up their compounds are completely different.

There is also some difference in the action of medications. According to the reviews of patients, the therapeutic effect of the drug "Levothyroxine" is observed after 7-13 days, and from the means of "Eutiroks" - after two weeks.

When used correctly, the last medicine does not have any side effects. As for the former, in rare cases it still leads to undesirable consequences. Moreover, side effects can occur even with small changes in dosages.

In children suffering from epilepsy, or with convulsive attacks, the use of the drug "Levothyroxine" causes a worsening of the condition. As for Eutirox, there is no such deterioration after its use.

Analogues of a medicine

What can replace the drug "Levothyroxine"? Analogs of this drug are sold in all pharmacies. Among such medicines, the following can be noted: L-thyroxine-farmak, L-thyroxine, Bagotyrox, L-Tirok, Sodium levothyroxine, L-thyroxine Hexal, Eutirox, L- Thyroxine-Acry "," Tyro-4 "and so on.

Patient Reviews

According to the reviews of those who received the drug under consideration, he copes quite effectively with the task. Although in some cases, the drug can cause a number of side effects.

According to specialists, it is strictly forbidden to use the hormone "Levothyroxine" independently. It can be taken only according to the doctor's prescription, depending on the patient's health and individual indices. This is due to the fact that hormonal drugs can have a very powerful effect on the human body and its hormonal background in general.

It should also be noted that the alternation of medications is highly discouraged. After all, it can easily cause a distortion of the results of therapy.