Sign up
Log in
EspañolEuthyrox overview
BRAND NAMES:
Euthyrox
Generic Names:
Levothyroxine sodium
Uses:
Treats hypothyroidism (the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone)
Reduces the size of an enlarged thyroid gland
Treats some thyroid cancers in addition to surgery and radioiodine therapy
What is Euthyrox used for?
Euthyrox is a synthetic T4 hormone that is used to treat an underactive thyroid gland. Euthyrox is one of levothyroxine sodium’s available brand names, but it has only been proven to be bioequivalent to Synthroid.
Expert tips for using Euthyrox
Make sure your health history is accurate. Tell your prescribing healthcare provider about any other prescription drugs or over-the-counter supplements that you take or medical conditions that you have, especially heart disease or adrenal insufficiency.
Euthyrox should be taken by mouth in the morning, preferably around the same time each day. It should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, 30 minutes to one hour before any other foods or medications.
Take Euthyrox four hours before or after calcium-containing products or iron because they may reduce its effectiveness.
It may take weeks before Euthryox’s effects are noticeable. Keep taking it, and do not abruptly stop taking it.
Euthyrox’s dosage may need to be adjusted a few times before finding the best daily dose for each person. Doses that are too high may cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as irregular or increased heart rate, weight loss, sweating, and hyperactivity.
What form(s) does Euthyrox come in
Tablet
25 mcg
50 mcg
75 mcg
88 mcg
100 mcg
112 mcg
125 mcg
137 mcg
150 mcg
175 mcg
200 mcg
What are common Euthyrox doses?
25-200 mcg once per day for hypothyroidism in adults
Common Euthyrox prescriptions
Euthyrox
30 tablets, 100 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 112 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 125 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 137 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 150 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 175 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 200 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 25 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 50 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 75 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
30 tablets, 88 mcg box of 30Euthyrox
90 tablets 25 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 100 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 112 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 125 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 137 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 150 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 175 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 200 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 50 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 75 mcg box of 90Euthyrox
90 tablets, 88 mcg box of 90
How to take Euthyrox
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
Take your medicine at the same time every day.
Take this medicine in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating breakfast.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. You may have to take this medicine for four to eight weeks before your symptoms start to get better.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor, you may need to take smaller and smaller doses before completely stopping the medicine.
If you are giving this medicine to a baby or child who cannot swallow the tablet whole, crush the tablet and mix it in 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters) of water. Give the mixture right away using a spoon or dropper. Do not mix the tablet with any other liquid except water. Do not store the mixture for future use.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take a regular dose at the next scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
What to do if you miss a dose of Euthyrox
Take the missed dose as soon as possible.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.
You should not take two doses at the same time.
Euthyrox contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use Euthyrox if you have:
Had an allergic reaction to levothyroxine or glycerol
An uncorrected adrenal gland problem
A cardiac condition or have had a recent heart attack
Had an allergic reaction to any type of thyroid hormone
An overactive thyroid gland.
Euthyrox warnings
Check with your doctor before taking this medicine if you have a heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, blood clotting problems, osteoporosis, or an underactive adrenal or pituitary gland.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation treatment with iodine.
Large doses of thyroid hormones, especially when taken with diet pills, can result in dangerous side effects, such as:
Inability to tolerate heat
Extreme nervousness or irritability
Tremors
Severe diarrhea
Intense sweating
Make sure you see your doctor for regular check-ups so that your condition can be followed closely. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
This medicine may cause heart problems, including angina (chest pain) and heart arrhythmias, and low bone density
This medicine should not be used to treat obesity or as part of a treatment plan for a weight control program.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are taking this medicine.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Euthyrox interactions
Some foods and medicines can affect how levothyroxine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
Amiodarone
Asparaginase
Carbamazepine
Clofibrate
Dexamethasone
Digoxin
5-fluorouracil
Furosemide
Heroin
Imatinib
Ketamine
Methadone, mitotane
Nicotinic acid
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Rifampin
Tamoxifen
Beta blockers
Birth control pills (including estrogen)
Blood thinners (including heparin and warfarin)
Insulin or diabetes medicine
Antidepressants (including amitriptyline and maprotiline)
NSAIDs
Salicylates
Steroids (including dexamethasone, androgens, and anabolic steroids)
Products used for colds, asthma, appetite control, hay fever, or sinus problems
In order to lessen the impact of drug interactions with Euthyrox, take the following medications at least four hours before or four hours after you take Euthyrox:
Kayexalate
Lanthanum
Orlistat
Sevelamer
Sucralfate
Antacids (including aluminum or magnesium hydroxide and simethicone)
Medicine to lower cholesterol (including cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol)
Stomach medicine (including lansoprazole, omeprazole, and pantoprazole)
Any medicine that contains calcium or iron
Cottonseed meal, dietary fiber, soybean flour (infant formula), or walnuts may decrease the absorption of this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.
Euthyrox side effects
Euthyrox has some possible side effects. Fortunately, most of them are able to be resolved by lowering the daily dose of Euthyrox. However, there are a few side effects that warrant a visit to a healthcare provider. Seek medical help right away if you experience an allergic reaction, trouble breathing, severe chest pain, or swelling of the face, tongue, or legs. Talk to your doctor if you experience any other side effects, especially if you notice any heart irregularities.
Serious side effects:
Seizures or tremors
Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain that may spread
Fainting
Confusion
Swelling of the face, tongue, or lower legs
Feeling cold
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Stomach pain
Walking with a limp from knee or hip pain (in children)
Severe headache, blurred or double vision, nausea, or vomiting (in children)
Skin rash or hives
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Inability to tolerate heat
Extreme nervousness or irritability
Tremors
Severe diarrhea
Intense or unusual sweating
Less serious side effects:
Anxiety
Irregular menstrual periods
Headache
Trouble sleeping
Hair loss
Appetite or weight changes
Diarrhea
Muscle spasms or weakness
Nervousness
Sensitivity to heat
Sources:
Highlights of prescribing information, Provell Pharmaceuticals, LLC (2022)