Levothyroxine

This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Levothyroxine but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns.


Overview:

Levothyroxine
(when available)

Pharmacology and use:
Levothyroxine (T4) is a synthetically prepared levo isomer of thyroxine, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine is used alone or in combination with antithyroid agents to treat hypothyroidism, goiter, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, myxedema coma, or stupor. For use as replacement or supplemental therapy in patients of any age or state (including pregnancy) with hypothyroidism of any etiology except transient hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis or primary hypothyroidism resulting from thyroid dysfunction.

Mechanism Of Action:
Levothyroxine acts like the endogenous thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4, a tetra-iodinated tyrosine derivative). In the liver and kidney, T4 is converted to T3, an active metabolite. In order to increase solubility, the thyroid hormones attach to thyroid hormone binding proteins, thyroxin-binding globulin and thyroxin-binding prealbumin (transthyretin). Transport to thyroid hormone receptors in the cytoplasm and nucleus then takes place.

News Articles on Levothyroxine

ED BLONZ ON NUTRITION It's best to take calcium carbonate with meals  -  ‎Apr 16, 2009‎
Finally, calcium supplements can affect the absorption of some medications, including thyroid hormones (levothyroxine), antibiotics (fluoroquinolone and Detroit Free Press

Table Topic: Cushing's or Metabolic Syndrome?  -  ‎Apr 17, 2009‎
Horses with EMS can be treated with levothyroxine sodium to accelerate weight loss, but this treatment should not be used as a substitute for good TheHorse.com

Amisulpride-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia and Possible Association of ...  -  ‎Apr 9, 2009‎
Amisulpride was discontinued and it was replaced by clozapine, which was gradually titrated to 75 mg/day along with levothyroxine, 25 mg/day. Journal of Neuropsychiatry (subscription)

Merck Serono: New Phase III Data for Cladribine Tablets to be ...  -  ‎Mar 30, 2009‎
...endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), FOXBusiness

Grapefruit May Have Raised Blood Clot Risk In Unusual Case  -  ‎Apr 3, 2009‎
...and she was on two types of medication: a low dose contraceptive pill (drospirenone and ethinylestradiol) and a thyroid drug (levothyroxine). Medical News Today

The Thyroid & Pregnancy: ATA Research Summit And Spring Symposium  -  ‎Apr 10, 2009‎
...an average of a 40 percent increase in Levothyroxine is required to cope with the increasing thyroid hormone demand during early pregnancy, Medical News Today (press release)

Грейпфрут вызвал тромбоз глубоких вен  -  ‎Apr 6, 2009‎
жаловалаÑ?ÑŒ на боли в ногах, но принимала противозачаточные таблетки (drospirenone и ethinylestradiol) и лекарÑ?тво длÑ? щитовидной железы (levothyroxine). МЕДСТРИМ.РУ - консультации врачей, новости медицины

Pharmacy Based Repeat Dispensing Can Help People With Long Term ...  -  18 Mar 2009
This NHS service would be ideal for patients on single, stable therapy, for example, Levothyroxine." "The repeat dispensing process removes the need to Medical News Today (press release)

Merck Serono and Fast Forward, LLC Announce Collaboration to ...  -  18 Mar 2009
...endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), ITNews

Dr. John Lowe Issues Scathing Rebuttal of Flawed UK Policy Against ...  -  ‎Mar 16, 2009‎
Dr. Lowe's review of the literature shows that the evidence actually suggests that desiccated thyroid is in fact superior to levothyroxine. About - News & Issues

UK's Controversial Thyroid Guidelines Generate Concern, Outrage ...  -  ‎Feb 26, 2009‎
I cannot tolerate levothyroxine. Why doesn't my GP want me to get better? I just want my life back … please." Jenny says: "This guideline has shocked me to About - News & Issues

Fact Sheet: The Thyroid and Pregnancy  -  ‎Mar 6, 2009‎
Treatment for hypothyroidism during pregnancy is the same as for non-pregnant women – a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. Newswise (press release)

Wegmans to offer $4 prescription program  -  ‎Feb 25, 2009‎
...medication metformin, cholesterol medications lovastatin and pravastatin, albuterol nebulizers for asthma, and levothyroxine for thyroid conditions. Elmira Star-Gazette

NCCN Presents Updates to NCCN Guidelines for Thyroid Carcinoma  -  ‎Mar 16, 2009‎
Also new to the NCCN Guidelines is a page, Principles of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Suppression that provides recommendations for levothyroxine use PR Newswire (press release)

The People's Pharmacy  -  ‎Mar 2, 2009‎
Many doctors prefer levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone T4. It is sold under brand names Synthroid and Levoxyl and is also available Seattle Times

Barack Obama and the half used can of moldy Del Monte Tomatoes  -  ‎Mar 11, 2009‎
...aka Thyroxine, such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroxine, Unithroid, etc., all which leave patients with lingering hypothyroid symptoms while clueless OpEdNews

EMD Serono Canada Inc.: Health Canada Recommends Suspension of ...  -  ‎Feb 24, 2009‎
...metformin); (Concor®, bisoprolol); (Euthyrox®, levothyroxine); (Saizen® and Serostim®, somatropin). Not all products are available in all markets. MSNBC

Why an Endocrinologist or Thyroidologist Should Probably Not Be ...  -  ‎Mar 8, 2009‎
...which says that keeping the thyroid in balance requires only "three easy steps" -- testing using the TSH test, prescribing levothyroxine so the patient About - News & Issues

Percussion Myotonia  -  ‎Mar 4, 2009‎
The patient had a history of hypercholesterolemia and cataracts and was receiving levothyroxine-replacement therapy after partial thyroidectomy for nodular New England Journal of Medicine (subscription)

A man's temporary vision loss leads to an unexpected diagnosis  -  ‎Mar 3, 2009‎
The patient was currently taking levothyroxine (Synthroid); he was allergic to penicillin. The patient was 5 ft 10 in tall and weighed 214 lb. Clinical Advisor

King Pharmaceuticals Reports Year-End and Fourth-Quarter 2008 ...  -  ‎Feb 26, 2009‎
LEVOXYL(R) (levothyroxine sodium tablets, USP) net sales totaled $20 million during the fourth quarter and $73 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, Trading Markets (press release)

Ambrx and Merck Serono Expand Collaboration Through ARX424 ...  -  ‎Feb 24, 2009‎
...endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), PR Newswire (press release)

Commas, Colons and Other Proofing Peccadilloes  -  ‎Feb 25, 2009‎
...to introduce an example: The patient is currently on the following medications: Prozac 40 mg daily, Norvasc 5 mg daily and levothyroxine 25 mcg daily. ADVANCE

I couldn't work out why I kept piling on weight. Then I was told ...  -  ‎Mar 9, 2009‎
Following her diagnosis with hypothyroidism, Imogen was prescribed levothyroxine (thyroxine) tablets each day to replace the hormones her thyroid gland was Daily Mail

European Medicines Agency Recommends Suspension of Marketing ...  -  ‎Feb 19, 2009‎
...metformin); (Concor®, bisoprolol); (Euthyrox®, levothyroxine); (Saizen® and Serostim®, somatropin). Not all products are available in all markets. PharmaLive.com (press release)

Buy levothyroxine online  -  Jan 17, 2009
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Buy levothyroxine online  -  Jan 17, 2009
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Liothyronine plus levothyroxine  -  Jan 21, 2009
Research shows that taking liothyronine together with levothyroxine doesn't help you more than just taking levothyroxine. Liothyronine is a man-made version guardian.co.uk,

Should Pregnant Women With Normal TSH And Thyroid Antibodies Be ...  -  Feb 2, 2009
42 received levothyroxine treatment during pregnancy. Among the women, those who did not receive treatment had a substantially higher mean TSH level About - News & Issues,

Patients with iron deficiency anemia should be treated for ...  -  Jan 27, 2009
Addition of levothyroxine resulted in improvement of serum iron and blood count variables, according to the study. “These findings support our clinical Endocrine Today,

Synthroid Sucks! The Rallying Cry of Thyroid Patients vs. Clueless ...  -  Feb 2, 2009
...those prescriptions for other synthetic T4 medications, which include brand names like Levoyxl, Unithroid, Eltroxin, Norton, and generic Levothyroxine. OpEdNews,

The Desiccated Thyroid Controversy: Why Endocrinologists Don't ...  -  Jan 27, 2009
Until synthetic thyroxine (also known generically as levothyroxine, with brand names including Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Levothroid) was introduced in the 50s About - News & Issues,

Combination thyroxine and triiodothyronine therapy  -  Jan 20, 2009
Levothyroxine has long been the treatment of choice in the management of hypothyroidism. Guidelines published by the American Association of Clinical Endocrine Today,

Psychosis in the Elderly  -  Feb 2, 2009
For these conditions, she was taking 25 mg of levothyroxine daily, 0.125 mg of digoxin daily, 40 mg of enoxaparin daily, 325 mg of aspirin daily, Am J Psychiatry (subscription)

Merck Serono's Safinamide Significantly Improved Motor Function in ...  -  Feb 2, 2009
...endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), PR Newswire (press release),

Posted by Thomas Repas, DO, FACP, FACE, CDE January 8, 2009 10:45 AM  -  Jan 9, 2009
I explained that we now prefer levothyroxine instead of desiccated thyroid. I also quickly pointed out that her thyroid-stimulating hormone has been perfect Endocrine Today,

Thyroid Cancer: It’s Not in Your Head—It’s in Your Neck!  -  Feb 2, 2009
I will take Synthroid® (levothyroxine sodium) for the rest of my life. This medication supplies the missing thyroid hormones while suppressing the Cancer Consultants,

Subclinical hypothyroidism, ovarian hyperstimulation linked to ...  -  Jan 29, 2009
...cohort study to examine thyroid function in early pregnancy in women with subclinical hypothyroidism who received levothyroxine replacement. Endocrine Today,

Losing memory? A thyroid test might be your answer  -  Jan 14, 2009
The easiest and most effective treatment is taking a thyroid hormone pill, Levothyroxine, which is a pure synthetic form of T4 hormone secreted by the Hindu,

Inside Medicine: Generics cut cost, not quality  -  Jan 11, 2009
...companies have a huge profit incentive to demonstrate that their brand-name drug (eg, Synthroid) is better than the lower-cost generic (levothyroxine). Sacramento Bee,

Thyroid testing may be the answer to health related complication  -  Jan 17, 2009
Underactive thyroid can be treated through the use of synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. The appropriate medication dosage is determined after blood HealthJockey.com,

Thyroid Testing May Shed Light on Baffling Problems  -  Jan 15, 2009
Underactive thyroid can be treated with the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, marketed under several brand names including Synthroid, Insciences Organisation,

Merck Serono's Oral Investigational Treatment Cladribine Tablets ...  -  Jan 22, 2009
...endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), ITNews,

Tabletter för behandling av multipel skleros. En tvåårig fas III ...  -  Jan 26, 2009
...metformin); (Concor®, bisoprolol); (Euthyrox®, levothyroxine); (Saizen® and Serostim®, somatropin). Not all products are available in all markets. Privata Affärer,

Pill combo troublesome in elderly  -  25 Dec 2008
Aspirin followed by the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, the statin drug atorvastatin (Lipitor), and the thyroid drug levothyroxine were the most commonly used PRESS TV,

Antenatal Diagnosis and Treatment of a Dyshormonogenetic Fetal Goiter  -  Dec 23, 2008
Fetal hypothyroidism was documented by measuring amniotic fluid thyroid hormone levels and managed with weekly intra-amniotic injections of levothyroxine Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (subscription)

The Six Reasons Why Oprah Winfrey Doesn't Have to Weigh 200 Pounds  -  Dec 10, 2008
Thyroxine -- known as levothyroxine -- contains a synthetic form of only one thyroid hormone, T4. The well-known brand names of levothyroxine include About - News & Issues,

Older Americans Take Risky Drug Combos  -  Dec 23, 2008
...taken by 15.6% of survey participants, the statin drug atorvastatin (Lipitor), taken by 13.4%, and the thyroid drug levothyroxine (12.2%). WebMD

Warning as drugs are taken in burglary (Crewkerne)  -  Dec 8, 2008
Nitrazepam 5mg, Oxazepam 15mg, Methyldopa 250mg, Metronidazole 400mg, Levothyroxine all strengths, Methotrexate 2.5mg and 10mg tablets. Avon and Somerset Constabulary,

Jerome Stevens Pharmaceuticals, renowned generics manufacturer ...  -  Dec 11, 2008
...a renowned generics manufacturer, home of UNITHROID®, the country’s first FDA-Approved levothyroxine product, has chosen XFP MES. PRLog.Org (press release),

High Growth Reported for the World Pharmaceuticals Market Brief  -  Nov 18, 2008
Metformin, Omeprazole, Fentanyl transdermal, Amoxicillin, Fluoxetine, Oxycodone w/ APAP, Albuterol aerosol, Lovastatin, Levothyroxine, Lorazepam, MarketWatch

FDA Safety Changes: Retisert, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Exforge  -  Oct 29, 2008
Identify a drug interaction between orlistat and levothyroxine sodium. Describe the potential risks associated with in utero exposure to angiotensin II Medscape (registration)

Primary hypothyroidism presenting with Torsades de pointes type ...  -  Nov 6, 2008
Conclusion: Our patient responded well to treatment with levothyroxine and QT intervals normalized and ventricular tachycardia was abolished two months 7thSpace Interactive (press release),

Eltroxin controversy laid to rest?  -  Oct 28, 2008
Pharmac has managed to fast track the approval process so one of the products, Goldshield's Levothyroxine (Eltroxin alternative) will be fully funded from National Business Review,

Vinegar rinse helps soothe itchy scalp  -  Nov 16, 2008
Some readers report, however, that they feel better on this than on synthetic levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl) that contains only T4. Houston Chronicle,

Chicago Police Open Drop Boxes for Unwanted Meds  -  Nov 11, 2008
...repellent DEET to prescription drugs such as the antibiotic penicillin, the anti-convulsant Dilantin and the thyroid hormone replacement Levothyroxine. Environment News Service

"Floaters" could signal something bad  -  Nov 16, 2008
Some readers report, however, that they feel better on this than on synthetic levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl) that contains only T4. Seattle Times,

Colesevelam HCl Lowered LDL Cholesterol in Pediatric Patients With ...  -  Nov 11, 2008
Welchol has known interactions with glyburide (a drug for diabetes), levothyroxine (a drug used to treat an underactive thyroid) and certain oral MarketWatch

How Do You Dispose of Unused Meds?  -  Nov 12, 2008
...prescription drugs such as the antibiotic penicillin, the anti-convulsant Dilantin and the thyroid hormone replacement Levothyroxine. Daily Green

King Pharmaceuticals Reports Third-Quarter 2008 Financial Results  -  Nov 6, 2008
LEVOXYL ® (levothyroxine sodium tablets, USP) net sales totaled $18 million during the third quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to $21 million istockAnalyst.com (press release),

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Brand Names/Synonyms:
Levothyroxine is also known by the following brand names and/or synonymsD-Thyroxine; Eltroxin; Euthyrox; Iodine; L-T4; L-THYROXIN SODIUM, 99%; L-Thyroxine; L-Thyroxine Sodium; L-Thyroxine Sodium Salt; L-Thyroxine Sodium Salt Hydrate; L-Thyroxine.Na; Laevothyroxinum; Laevoxin; Letter; Levaxin; Levo-T; Levolet; Levothroid; Levothyrox; Levothyroxine; Levothyroxine Sodium; Levoxine; Levoxyl; Novothyrox; Oroxine; Sodium Levothyroxine; Synthroid; Synthroid Sodium; Tetraiodothyronine; Thyratabs; Thyrax; Thyreoideum; Thyro-Tabs; Thyro-Tapbs; Thyroxevan; Thyroxin; Thyroxinal; Thyroxine; Unithroid

Drug Category:
Levothyroxine is categorized under the following by the FDA: Antithyroid Agents; Anticoagulants; ATC:H03AA01

Dosage Forms:
LIQUID; POWDER; TABLET

Absorption:
Varies from 48% to 80%

Interactions:
-->Interactions for Levothyroxine:

The magnitude and relative importance of the effects noted below are likely to be patient specific and may vary by such factors as age, gender, race, intercurrent illnesses, dose of either agent, additional concomitant medications, and timing of drug administration. Any agent that alters thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, distribution, effect on target tissues, metabolism, or elimination may alter the optimal therapeutic dose of levothyroxine sodium.

Levothyroxine Sodium Absorption: The following agents may bind and decrease absorption of levothyroxine sodium from the gastrointestinal tract: aluminum hydoxide, cholestyramine resin, colestipol hydrochloride, ferrous sulfate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, soybean flour (e.g., infant formula), sucralfate.

Binding to Serum Proteins: The following agents may either inhibit levothyroxine sodium binding to serum proteins or alter the concentrations of serum binding proteins: androgens and related anabolic hormones, asparaginase, clofibrate, estrogens and estrogen-containing compounds, 5-fluorouracil, furosemide, glucocorticoids, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, methadone, perphenazine, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, salicylates, tamoxifen.

Thyroid Physiology: The following agents may alter thyroid hormone or TSH levels, generally by effects on thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, distribution, metabolism, hormone action, or elimination, or altered TSH secretion: aminoglutethimide, p-aminosalicylic acid, amiodarone, androgens and related anabolic hormones, complex anions (thiocyanate, perchlorate, pertechnetate), antithyroid drugs, b-adrenergic blocking agents, carbamazepine, chloral hydrate, diazepam, dopamine and dopamine agonists, ethionamide, glucocorticoids, heparin, hepatic enzyme inducers, insulin, iodinated cholestographic agents, iodine- containing compounds, levodopa, lovastatin, lithium, 6-mercaptopurine, metoclopramide, mitotane, nitroprusside, phenobarbital, phenytoin, resorcinol, rifampin, somatostatin analogs, sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, thiazide diuretics.

Adrenocorticoids: Metabolic clearance of adrenocorticoids is decreased in hypothyroid patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients, and may therefore change with changing thyroid status.

Amiodarone: Amiodarone therapy alone can cause hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Anticoagulants (Oral): The hypoprothrombinemic effect of anticoagulants may be potentiated, apparently by increased catabloism of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Antidiabetic Agents (Insulin, Sulfonylureas): Requirements for insulin or oral antidiabetic agents may be reduced in hypothyroid patients with diabetes mellitus and may subsequently increase with the initiation of thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

b-Adrenergic Blocking Agents: Actions of some of beta-blocking agents may be impaired when hypothyroid patients become euthyroid.

Cytokines (interferon, interleukin): Cytokines have been reported to induce both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Digitalis Glycosides: Therapeutic effects of digitalis glycosides may be reduced. Serum digitalis levels may be decreased in hyperthyroidism or when a hypothyroid patient becomes euthyroid.

Ketamine: Marked hypertension and tachycardia have been reported in association with concomitant administration of levothyroxine sodium and ketamine.

Maprotiline: Risk of cardiac arrhythmias may increase.

Sodium Iodide (123I and 131I), Sodium Pertechnetate Tc99m: Uptake of radiolabeled ions may be decreased.

Somatrem/Somatropin: Excessive concurrent use of thyroid hormone may accelerate epiphyseal closure. Untreated hypothyroidism may interfere with the growth response to somatrem or somatropin.

Theophylline: Theophylline clearance may decrease in hypothyroid patients and return toward normal when a euthyroid state is achieved.

Tricyclic Antidepressants: Concurrent use may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased catecholamine sensitivity. Onset of action of tricyclics may be accelerated.

Sympathomimetic Agents: Possible increased risk of coronary insufficiency in patients with coronary artery disease.





Chemical IUPAC Name:
2-amino-3-[4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodo-phenoxy)-3,5-diiodo-phenyl]-propanoicacid

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