Information about Levothyroxine

Article by Pharmacist Nguyen Huy Khiem - Clinical Pharmacist - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Levothyroxine is used to treat medical problems related to a deficiency of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Medicines often need to be used for a long time, so patients need to know some of the following notes to ensure effectiveness and safety during treatment.

1. Periodic follow-up according to the doctor's appointment after using Levothyroxine

There are many situations (concurrent medications, medical conditions - accompanying physiological conditions: pregnancy, weight gain, ...) that can affect the concentration of drugs in the body, leading to changes in effectiveness. drug treatment results. Therefore, patients need to come back for regular check-ups to perform tests to evaluate thyroid function and have the doctor adjust the dose accordingly.

2. Test frequency

If the dose is adjusted, levothyroxine takes 4-6 weeks to show a stable effect. Therefore, usually the doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment at this time for an evaluation. In the case of patients already on stable doses of thyroxine, the frequency of testing may be extended further, every 3 to 6 months.
See now: Using Levothyroxine to treat multiple thyroid nodules does not reduce thyroid status and re-dissolve nodules?

3. Limit changes to the type of levothyroxine you are taking

On the market, there are many brand-name drugs with the same active ingredient, levothyroxine, including: Levothyrox®, Belthyrox®, Levosum®,... Although these brand-name drugs may have the same strength, there is a possibility. Absorption and metabolism of these drugs vary widely between patients. Therefore, it is not advisable to switch between these brand-name drugs if the drug is already stable. If a different brand-name drug is required, the patient should be tested for thyroid function 4-6 weeks later to ensure the current dose is appropriate.

Thời điểm uống thuốc levothyroxine là trước bữa ăn sáng ~ 30 – 60 phút

4. When to take Levothyroxine?

Food and some concomitant medications (stomach acid neutralizers, multivitamin and mineral supplements, ...) can reduce the absorption of levothyroxine into the body. Therefore, it is best for patients to take levothyroxine at the right time before breakfast ~ 30-60 minutes and limit taking it with other drugs unless prescribed by a doctor/pharmacist.

5. Handling when forgetting to take medicine

The dose of levothyroxine should be taken at the same time every day. If the patient forgets to take a dose, the patient should take the next dose as soon as he or she remembers, even if it is the previous day's dose. Supplementing with the drug will help to ensure that the total treatment dose for the whole week is still guaranteed due to the long half-life of the drug.
What is Levothyroxine? This medication is used to treat medical problems related to thyroid hormone deficiency. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment, patients need to take the drug according to the prescription or strictly according to the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist.
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Bài viết này được viết cho người đọc tại Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.