Thyrolar (Oral)

Liotrix is used to treat hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. It is also used to reduce the size of enlarged thyroid glands (called goiter) and to treat thyroid cancer.

Liotrix is also used in certain medical tests to help diagnose issues with the thyroid gland.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Liotrix should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for the purpose of losing weight. This medicine is ineffective for weight reduction and when taken in larger amounts, it may cause more serious medical conditions.

Hypothyroidism can sometimes cause infertility in men and women. Liotrix should not be used for the treatment of infertility unless it is caused by hypothyroidism.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, or any other unusual medical condition.

For patients with diabetes, it is very important that you keep track of your blood or urine sugar levels as instructed by your doctor. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your sugar levels.

A temporary loss of hair may occur during the first few months of liotrix therapy. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare provider if you have any other allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies done so far have not shown any problems specific to children that would limit the use of liotrix in kids.

Geriatric

Studies done so far have not shown any problems specific to older adults that would limit the use of liotrix in the elderly. However, older patients are more likely to have heart and blood vessel problems related to aging, which may require caution when using liotrix.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to the baby when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. It is very important that your healthcare provider knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are using this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Furosemide
• Iopromide
• Midodrine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but taking both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Aluminum Phosphate
• Calcium Acetate
• Calcium Carbonate
• Calcium Citrate
• Chlorotrianisene
• Cholestyramine
• Chromium
• Ciprofloxacin
• Colesevelam
• Conjugated Estrogens
• Conjugated Estrogens Synthetic A
• Conjugated Estrogens Synthetic B
• Dexlansoprazole
• Dienestrol
• Diethylstilbestrol
• Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
• Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
• Esomeprazole
• Esterified Estrogens
• Estradiol
• Estramustine
• Estriol
• Estropipate
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Fosphenytoin
• Imatinib
• Iron
• Kelp
• Lansoprazole
• Lanthanum Carbonate
• Lopinavir
• Magaldrate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Trisilicate
• Mestranol
• Omeprazole
• Pantoprazole
• Patiromer
• Phenytoin
• Polyestradiol Phosphate
• Promestriene
• Quinestrol
• Rabeprazole
• Rifampin
• Ritonavir
• Semaglutide
• Sevelamer
• Simvastatin
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
• Tibolone

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take this medicine, or provide special instructions about food, alcohol, or tobacco use.

• Enteral Nutrition
• Soybean

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Adrenal insufficiency (untreated) or
• Thyrotoxicosis (untreated, overactive thyroid)—This medicine should NOT be used in patients with any of these conditions.

• Clotting disorder or
• Diabetes or
• Heart disease (history of) or
• Other adrenal gland problems—Use with caution. Dosage adjustment may be needed.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, you may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not determined

• Chest pain
• constipation
• depressed mood
• difficulty in moving
• discouragement
• dryness of the eye
• dry skin and hair
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fear, nervousness
• feeling cold
• feeling sad or empty
• fever
• headache
• hives or welts
• hoarseness or husky voice
• increased sweating
• increased weight
• increase in blood pressure
• irritability
• irritation
• itching skin
• joint pain, stiffness or swelling
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea
• redness of skin
• shakiness in legs, arms, hands, feet
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• sleeplessness
• slowed heartbeat
• sluggishness
• swelling of eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• swollen joints
• tightness in chest
• tiredness
• trembling or shaking of hands or feet
• trouble concentrating
• troubled breathing or swallowing
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain
• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined

• Hair loss, thinning of hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Euthroid
• Thyrolar

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Thyroid Supplement

This medicine usually needs to be taken for the rest of your life. Do not stop taking this medicine or change your doses without first checking with your doctor. It may take several weeks before you start to notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablet):For the treatment of hypothyroidism: Adults—At first, one tablet of liotrix (Thyrolar-1/2) containing 6.25 microgram (mcg) of liothyronine and 25 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose by one tablet of liotrix (Thyrolar-1/4) containing 3.1 mcg of liothyronine and 12.5 mcg of levothyroxine every 2 to 3 weeks. However, the dose is usually not more than one tablet of liotrix (Thyrolar-3) containing 37.5 mcg of liothyronine and 150 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Children—Follow dosing for the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism. For the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism: Children 0 to 6 months of age—At first, 3.1 mcg of liothyronine and 12.5 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Doses may be increased as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6.25 mcg of liothyronine and 25 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Children 6 to 12 months of age—At first, 6.25 mcg of liothyronine and 25 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Doses may be increased as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 9.35 mcg of liothyronine and 37.5 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Children 1 to 5 years of age—At first, 9.35 mcg of liothyronine and 37.5 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Doses may be increased as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 12.5 mcg of liothyronine and 50 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Children 6 to 12 years of age—At first, 12.5 mcg of liothyronine and 50 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Doses may be increased as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 18.75 mcg of liothyronine and 75 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Children over 12 years of age—The usual dose is 18.75 mcg of liothyronine and 75 mcg of levothyroxine once a day. Doses may be increased as needed.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.