Liothyronine Description

Generic Name : LIOTHYRONINE

Pronunciation : (lye oh thye' roe neen)

Trade Name(s) :

Why it is prescribed: Liothyronine, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid glands does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Without this hormone, the body cannot function properly, resulting in poor growth, slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry thick skin, and increased sensitivity to cold. When taken correctly, liothyronine can reverse all of these symptoms. Liothyronine is also used to treat goiter and to test for hypoerthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.

When it is to be taken: Liothyronine is usually taken as a single dose every day. Since you probably will need to take this drug for the rest of your life, make a habit of taking it at the same time each day.

How it should be taken: Liothyronine comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Your doctor may change this amount, especially when your first start treatment, because your body has to adjust to this drug. Take the exact amount of liothyronine prescribed for you. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Special Instruction :

1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You will have periodic blood tests to make sure that the liothyronine is working properly.

2. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as your remember it. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are to take the next one, take only the regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :

1. Rapid heartbeat, weight loss, chest pain, tremor, headache, diarrhoea, nervousness, insomnia, sweating, increased appetite, stomach cramps, fever, changes in menstrual cycle, sensitivity to heat. Contact your doctor at once, but do not stop taking your dose without consulting your doctor.

2. Hair loss in children. This can happen during the first months of treatment, but hair usually grows back.

Other Precautions :

1. Before taking liothyronine, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, hardening of the arteries, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or an underactive adrenal or pituitary gland.

2. If you have surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you take liothyronine.

3. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors before taking, especially warfarin or other anticoagulants and diabetes medicine.

4.Some drugs (aspirin, arthritis, medicine, steroids, estrogens, and birth-control pills) and conditions (pregnancy and hepatitis) may cause false results in laboratory tests for thyroid function.

5. If you take cholestyramine, take it at least one hour after or four hours before you take liothyronine.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of chidlren. Store it at room temperature.