Unithroid
- Generic Name: levothyroxine sodium
- Brand Name: Unithroid
Unithroid (Levothyroxine Sodium) side effects drug center
Unithroid Side Effects Center
What Is Unithroid?
Unithroid (levothyroxine sodium) Tablets are a replacement for the hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates the body's energy and metabolism used as treatment for hypothyroidism and the prevention of an enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter. Unithroid is available in generic form.
What Are Side Effects of Unithroid?
Side effects of Unithroid include temporary hair loss, headache, sleep problems (insomnia), nervousness, irritability, fever, hot flashes, sweating, heart palpitations, changes in menstrual cycle, and appetite and weight changes.
Dosage for Unithroid
Unithroid is taken in a single daily dose preferably half an hour to one hour before breakfast. Talk to your doctor about your individual recommended dosage amount.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Unithroid?
Unithroid may interact with medications such as Citracal or other calcium carbonates, iron supplements, Maalox or other antacids, as well as cholesterol-lowering drugs and should be taken at least 4 hours apart from taking these other medications. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take. You should not use Unithroid if you have had a heart attack, thyroid disorder, or an adrenal gland disorder.
Unithroid During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or plan on breastfeeding as dosage of Unithroid may need to be increased. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly.
Additional Information
Our Unithroid (levothyroxine sodium) Tablets Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Unithroid Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- fast or irregular heartbeats;
- chest pain, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
- shortness of breath;
- fever, hot flashes, sweating;
- tremors, or if you feel unusually cold;
- weakness, tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia);
- memory problems, feeling depressed or irritable;
- headache, leg cramps, muscle aches;
- feeling nervous or irritable;
- dryness of your skin or hair, hair loss;
- irregular menstrual periods; or
- vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.
Certain side effects may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects may include:
- chest pain, irregular heartbeats;
- shortness of breath;
- headache, leg cramps, muscle pain or weakness;
- tremors, feeling nervous or irritable, trouble sleeping;
- increased appetite;
- feeling hot;
- weight loss;
- changes in your menstrual periods;
- diarrhea; or
- skin rash, partial hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Unithroid (Levothyroxine Sodium)
Unithroid Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
Adverse reactions associated with levothyroxine therapy are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage (see PRECAUTIONS and OVERDOSAGE). They include the following:
General: fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating;
Central nervous system: headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia;
Musculoskeletal: tremors, muscle weakness;
Cardiovascular: palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased pulse and blood pressure, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest;
Respiratory: dyspnea;
Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevation in liver function tests;
Dermatologic: hair loss; flushing;
Endocrine: decreased bone mineral density;
Reproductive: menstrual irregularities, impaired fertility.
Pseudotumor cerebri and slipped capital femoral epiphysis have been reported in children receiving levothyroxine therapy. Overtreatment may result in craniosynostosis in infants and premature closure of the epiphyses in children with resultant compromised height.
Seizures have been reported rarely with the institution of levothyroxine therapy. Inadequate levothyroxine dosage will produce or fail to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Hypersensitivity reactions to inactive ingredients have occurred in patients treated with thyroid hormone products. These include urticaria, pruritus, skin rash, flushing, angioedema, various Gl symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), fever, arthralgia, serum sickness and wheezing. Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine itself is not known to occur.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Unithroid (Levothyroxine Sodium)
&Copy; Unithroid Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Unithroid Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.