Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.

Thyroid (Oral route)

THYE-roid

Brand Name(s)

In the US: Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid NT-1, Nature-Throid NT-1/2, Nature-Throid NT-2, Nature-Throid NT-3, Nature-Thyroid, Westhroid

Dosage forms

Tablet Capsule

Classifications

Therapeutic: Thyroid Supplement

Warning

Oral route (Tablet)

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 their anorectic effects .

Uses of This Medicine

Thyroid is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. It is also used to help decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands (known as goiter) and to treat thyroid cancer .

Thyroid is also used in some medical tests to help diagnose problems with the thyroid gland .

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription .

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters A Adequate studies in pregnant women have not shown an increased risk of fetal abnormalities.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acenocoumarol Anisindione Dicumarol Kelp Phenindione Phenprocoumon Warfarin

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Adrenal insufficiency (untreated) or Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid)—This medicine should NOT be used in patients with any of these conditions . Adrenal insufficiency (history of) or Clotting disorders or Diabetes or Heart disease—Use with caution. Dosage adjustment may be needed .

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine usually needs to be taken for life. Do not stop taking this medicine or change your doses without first checking with your doctor. It may take several weeks before you start to notice an improvement in your symptoms .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablet):

For the treatment of hypothyroidism:

Adults—At first, 30 milligrams (mg) once a day. Then, your doctor may increase your dose a little at a time up to the usual maintenance dose of 60 to 120 mg a day. A lower starting dose of 15 mg/day may be given to patients for certain conditions. Children 0 to 6 months of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 15 to 30 mg once a day. Children 6 to 12 months of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 30 to 45 mg once a day. Children 1 to 5 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 45 to 60 mg once a day. Children 6 to 12 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 60 to 90 mg once a day. Children over 12 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is over 90 mg once a day .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

DRUG: GENERAL, STORAGE DRUG: GENERAL, STORAGE

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects .

Thyroid should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for the purpose of losing weight. This medicine is ineffective for weight reduction and when taken in larger amount, it may cause more serious medical conditions .

Hypothyroidism can sometimes cause infertility in men and women. Thyroid should not be used for the treatment of infertility unless it is caused by hypothyroidism .

Call your doctor right away if you start to have chest pain, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, or any other unusual medical condition .

For patients with diabetes, it is very important that you keep track of your blood or urine sugar levels as instructed by your doctor. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your sugar levels .

A temporary loss of hair may occur during the first few months of thyroid therapy. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns .

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Changes in appetite changes in menstrual periods chest pain diarrhea fast or irregular heartbeat fever hand tremors headache irritability leg cramps nervousness sensitivity to heat shortness of breath sweating trouble sleeping vomiting weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.