 |
Home | More | |
|
|
|
Synthroid Side EffectsSynthroid (generic name - Levothyroxine) is a synthetic thyroid hormone that is typically given in any of the following situations:1) If your thyroid gland is not making enough hormone; 2) If you have an enlarged thyroid (a goiter) or are at risk for developing a goiter; 3) If you have certain cancers of the thyroid; 4) If your thyroid production is low due to surgery, radiation, certain drugs, or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain. Common Synthroid Side Effects Other than overdose symptoms, side effects from Synthroid, are quite rare. People who are treated with Synthroid may initially lose some hair, but this effect is typically temporary. Although rare, Synthroid may cause seizures at the beginning of treatment. It may also cause an allergic reaction such as a rash or hives. Children may have an increase in pressure within the skull. Excessive dosage or a too rapid increase in dosage may lead to the overstimulation of the thyroid gland. Notify a doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms (of overstimulation) develop: Increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle weakness, nausea, nervousness, Abdominal cramps, anxiety, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, fever, flushing, hair loss, headache, heart attack or failure, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss. If side effects other than those listed here occur and/or if any seem particularly strange or bothersome, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Special Synthroid Precautions If you are taking Synthroid to make up for a lack of natural hormone, it is important to take it regularly and at the same time every day. Quite possibly you will need to take it for the rest of your life. Individuals who are hypersensitive to thyroid hormone should not be treated with Synthroid. Additionally, you should not be treated with Synthroid if - your thyroid gland is making too much thyroid hormone; you have had a recent heart attack; or your adrenal glands are not making enough corticosteroid hormone. If you are sensitive to dyes, you can take the Synthroid 50-microgram tablet, which is made without color additives. Although Synthroid will speed up your metabolism, it is not effective as a weight-loss drug and should not be used as such. An overdose may cause life-threatening side effects, especially if you take Synthroid along with an appetite-suppressant medication. Synthroid has profound effects on the body. Ensure that sure your doctor is aware of all your medical problems, especially heart disease, clotting disorders, diabetes, and disorders of the adrenal or pituitary glands before you take it. The doctor will also need to know of any allergies you may have to food or medicine, and will ask for the names of any medications you take, whether prescription or over-the-counter. The following individuals should receive low doses of Synthroid, under very close supervision: 1) Older persons 2) Persons suffering from high blood pressure, angina (chest pain caused by a heart condition), or other types of heart disease. If you develop chest pain or additional circulatory problems, your dosage may need to be reduced. If you have diabetes, or if your body makes insufficient adrenal corticosteroid hormone, Synthroid will tend to make your symptoms worse. If you take medication for any of these disorders, the dosage will probably have to be adjusted once you begin taking Synthroid. If diabetes is the problem, you should immediately report to your doctor any change in your glucose readings. Postmenopausal women on long-term Synthroid therapy may suffer a loss of bone density, increasing the danger of osteoporosis (brittle bones). To minimize the loss, the doctor will prescribe the lowest dosage needed to control symptoms of thyroid deficiency. It may take a few weeks for Synthroid to begin working, and you may not see any change in your symptoms until then. Tell your doctor or dentist you are taking Synthroid before you have surgery of any kind. Tell your doctor also if you become pregnant while taking Synthroid. Your dose may need to be increased. Do not switch to another brand of levothyroxine without first consulting your doctor. Excessive doses of Synthroid in infants may cause the top of the skull to close too early. Additionally, in children, overtreatment can stunt growth. Synthroid can interact negatively with a wide variety of medications. It's advisable to check with your doctor before taking any other prescription or non-prescription drugs while taking Synthroid. Warning: This information is intended to supplement, not be a substitute for the expertise and judgment of a doctor. Please consult a doctor for final and more detailed information about the possible side effects of this prescription medication. |
|
| Please utilize our search to find more
information on prescription medications, side effects & more: |
|