Levothyroxine Tablets

• It is used to add thyroid hormone to the body.
• It is used to treat or prevent an enlarged thyroid gland.
• It is used to manage thyroid cancer.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

For all patients taking this medicine:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (levothyroxine tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not run out of this medicine.
• It may take several weeks to see the full effects.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
• This medicine may affect how much of some other drugs are in your body. If you are taking other drugs, talk with your doctor. You may need to have your blood work checked more closely while taking this medicine (levothyroxine tablets) with your other drugs.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (levothyroxine tablets) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Children:

• If giving to your child, the dose of this medicine may need to be changed as your child's weight changes. Have your child's weight checked often. Talk with the doctor before changing your child's dose.
• This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.

Use this medicine (levothyroxine tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take on an empty stomach 30 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 of this drug.
• Some other drugs may need to be taken at some other time than this medicine. If you take other drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need to take them at some other time than this medicine (levothyroxine tablets).
• Some foods like soybean flour (infant formula) may change how this medicine 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 medicine (levothyroxine tablets). One brand cannot safely be used for the other. The doctor will tell you about any needed change.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Keep taking this medicine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• 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.

• 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.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, 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.

Review Date: October 4, 2017