Synthroid

Basics, side effects, reviews & more

Synthroid Basics

What is Synthroid Used For?

It is used to add thyroid hormone to the body.
It is used to manage thyroid cancer.
It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Pronunciation

(lee voe thye ROKS een)

Common Brands

Euthyrox, Levoxyl, Synthroid

Drug Class

l-Thyroxine

Pharmacist tips for Synthroid

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. Take on an empty stomach at least 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Some products may cause choking, gagging, or trouble swallowing. These products must be taken with a full glass of water. Ask your pharmacist if you need to take your product with a full glass of water. You may crush tablet and mix with 1 or 2 teaspoons (5 or 10 mL) of water. Do not take iron products, antacids that have aluminum or magnesium, or calcium carbonate, within 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking this drug. If you take colesevelam, colestipol, cholestyramine, kayexalate, or sevelamer, take it at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking this drug. If you take other drugs, they may need to be taken at a different time than this drug. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take them. Some foods like soybean flour (infant formula) may change how this drug works in your body. Talk with your doctor. If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor. There is more than 1 brand of this drug. One brand cannot safely be used for the other. The doctor will tell you about any needed change. Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Store at room temperature. Protect from heat and light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. Some brands of this drug come in a blister pack. If this drug comes in a blister pack, do not take it out of the blister pack until you are ready to take it. Do not store the removed drug for future use. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

What are the side effects of Synthroid?

With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.Chest pain or pressure.Fast or abnormal heartbeat.Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.Headache.Feeling tired or weak.Feeling more or less hungry.A change in weight without trying.Diarrhea.Stomach cramps.Throwing up.Feeling irritable.Feeling nervous and excitable.Anxiety.Emotional ups and downs.Shakiness.Trouble sleeping.Bothered by heat.Sweating a lot.Fever.Muscle cramps.Muscle weakness.Flushing.Bone pain.Period (menstrual) changes.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
Hair loss may happen in some people in the first few months of using this drug. This most often goes back to normal.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What are the risks and warnings for Synthroid?

If you have an allergy to levothyroxine or any other part of this drug.
If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Overactive thyroid gland or weak adrenal gland.
If you have trouble swallowing.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

How much does alprazolam (Xanax) cost?

Alprazolam (Xanax) is available as a generic medication and may be significantly cheaper compared to the brand version. Unless there is a specific reason you need the brand, the generic medication will be a better value. For even more savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.

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