Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Thyroxine (50mcg) |
| Salt Synonyms | Levothyroxine |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Iodinated amino acid derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | HORMONES |
| Action Class | Thyroid hormones |
| User Rating | 4.3 |
| User Reviews | 379 |
FAQ
How long do I need to take Eltroxin 50mcg?
You should take Eltroxin 50mcg as long as your doctor has recommended. Usually, it is prescribed for the long term and you may have to take it lifelong. Do not stop taking the medicine, as your symptoms of low levels of thyroid hormone may reoccur.
Being a diabetic what should I be aware of while taking Eltroxin 50mcg?
Eltroxin 50mcg may raise blood sugar levels and may affect the working of other anti-diabetic medicines which you might be taking. Hence, dose adjustment may be required. Consult your doctor who will help you with dose management.
Does Eltroxin 50mcg affect contraception?
Oral birth control pills, which contain both estrogen and progesterone may reduce the amount of Eltroxin 50mcg in your body and therefore the dose of Eltroxin 50mcg may have to be increased.
How should Eltroxin 50mcg be taken?
Take Eltroxin 50mcg exactly as advised by your doctor. Eltroxin 50mcg should be taken orally preferably before breakfast or as a first meal of the day. It should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.
What should I do if I accidentally take more than the dose required?
An overdose of this medicine may cause nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems. You should immediately consult your doctor in case of an overdose.
What does thyroxine do? Why is it important?
Thyroxine hormone controls how much energy your body uses. It plays an important role in regulating your body weight, muscle strength, body temperature, and even your mood. Along with that, it is important for your digestion, heart muscles, brain development, and bone health.
What if you forget to take Eltroxin Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Eltroxin 50mcg, 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 schedule. Do not double the dose.\n
Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet Reviews
Eltroxin 50mcg is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). It replaces the hormone which is not being produced by your thyroid gland in sufficient quantity and helps regulate your body’s energy and metabolism.
Before you start taking Eltroxin 50mcg, your doctor will do a blood test to see what dose you need. Once you start taking the medicine, you will have regular blood tests to see how well it is working, and the dose may be adjusted from time to time. It is best taken on an empty stomach before your first meal of the day. You should take this medicine regularly to get the maximum benefit. It may take several weeks before your symptoms start to improve. You may need to take it for the rest of your life. If you stop taking it, your symptoms are likely to come back.
The most common side effects of this medicine are caused by taking a higher dose than you need. Possible side effects include palpitations (irregular heartbeat), vomiting, anxiety, diarrhea, weight loss, tremors, increased appetite, and restlessness. Most side effects will disappear once you are on the right dose. Call your doctor straight away if you have a very high temperature, fast or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, yellowness in the eye/skin, confusion, or fits.
Eltroxin 50mcg may cause weight loss but should not be prescribed or taken to treat obesity. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, inform your doctor right away as the dose may have to be increased/readjusted. Many other drugs affect the way this medicine works. Ask your doctor for advice if you are taking any other medications.
Before you start taking Eltroxin 50mcg, your doctor will do a blood test to see what dose you need. Once you start taking the medicine, you will have regular blood tests to see how well it is working, and the dose may be adjusted from time to time. It is best taken on an empty stomach before your first meal of the day. You should take this medicine regularly to get the maximum benefit. It may take several weeks before your symptoms start to improve. You may need to take it for the rest of your life. If you stop taking it, your symptoms are likely to come back.
The most common side effects of this medicine are caused by taking a higher dose than you need. Possible side effects include palpitations (irregular heartbeat), vomiting, anxiety, diarrhea, weight loss, tremors, increased appetite, and restlessness. Most side effects will disappear once you are on the right dose. Call your doctor straight away if you have a very high temperature, fast or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, yellowness in the eye/skin, confusion, or fits.
Eltroxin 50mcg may cause weight loss but should not be prescribed or taken to treat obesity. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, inform your doctor right away as the dose may have to be increased/readjusted. Many other drugs affect the way this medicine works. Ask your doctor for advice if you are taking any other medications.
How Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet Works
Eltroxin 50mcg is a synthetic version of a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It works by replacing the thyroid hormones that your thyroid gland cannot produce in a sufficient quantity, and relieves the symptoms of hypothyroidism (tiredness, weight gain, and depression).
How to Use Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Eltroxin 50mcg is to be taken empty stomach.
Benefits of Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet
- In Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Eltroxin 50mcg is a synthetic version of thyroxine, a hormone that is naturally produced in your body. When your body does not produce enough thyroxine, you get hypothyroidism. Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, weight gain, and muscle aches. This medicine raises your hormone level to the right amount and helps you get rid of these symptoms. For most people, this is a lifelong medication and should not be discontinued without talking to your doctor.It may take a while for this medicine to work properly. Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to determine the effectiveness of this medicine and to make sure that you are on the right dose.
Uses of Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet
- Treatment of Hypothyroidism
Eltroxin 50mcg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Eltroxin 50mcg is safe to use during pregnancy. Most studies have shown low or no risk to the developing baby.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Eltroxin 50mcg in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Eltroxin 50mcg is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Kidney
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Eltroxin 50mcg in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
SAFE
Eltroxin 50mcg does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Alcohol
SAFE
Consuming alcohol with Eltroxin 50mcg does not cause any harmful side effects.
Quick Tips
- Eltroxin 50mcg should be taken on an empty stomach (ideally, first thing in the morning). No food, milk, or tea should be taken 1 hour before and 2 hours after taking this medicine.
- It may take 6 to 8 weeks to get the full effect.
- Inform your doctor if you have diarrhea, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbances, shaking hands, or chest pain. Your doctor may adjust your dose.
- For most people, Eltroxin 50mcg can be a lifelong medication. Do not discontinue it without discussing your doctor.
- Get your hormone levels checked regularly and inform your doctor if you notice a significant change in your body weight. The dose may need to be adjusted.
- Inform your doctor before changing the brand of Eltroxin 50mcg as all brands may not have the same effect.
- Leave a gap of at least 4 hours before taking any antacids, calcium or iron supplements, and multivitamins, as these may interfere with the effect of the medicine.
References
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 796-98.
- Levothyroxine. Bohemia, New York: Jerome Stevens Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Dong BJ, Greenspan FS. Thyroid & Antithyroid Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 674-75.
- Levothyroxine [Prescribing Information]. Morgantown, WV: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2022.
- Brent GA, Koenig RJ. Thyroid and Anti-Thyroid Drugs. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1142-43.
- Levothyroxine sodium. East Sussex, UK: Custom Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2018.