 to some sugars, contact
your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. HOW TO TAKE LEVOTHYROXINE TABLETS
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has
told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
You may be taking this medicine for the rest of your life.
Your dose will be decided by your doctor and will depend on the
results of your blood tests. The dose you should take will be on the
label attached by your pharmacist. Swallow the tablets with
plenty of water. You should usually take your tablets before breakfast
or your first meal of the day.
The recommended starting dose is 50 – 100 micrograms every day.
Your doctor may increase the dose you take every 3 – 4 weeks by 50
micrograms until your thyroxine levels are correct. Your final
daily dose may be up to 100 – 200 micrograms daily.
Patients over 50 years of age:
The recommended starting dose will be no more than 50
micrograms every day. The dose may then be increased by 50
micrograms every 3 – 4 weeks until your thyroxine levels are correct.
Your final daily dose will be between 50 – 200 micrograms daily.
Patients over 50 years of age with heart problems:
The starting dose will be 25 micrograms every day or 50 micrograms
every other day. The dose may be increased by 25 micrograms
every 4 weeks until your thyroxine levels are correct.
Your final daily dose will usually be between 50 – 200 micrograms
Use in children:
For young children, your doctor is likely to prescribe Levothyroxine
Oral Solution instead of tablets.
Congenital hypothyroidism in infants:
This is a condition where your baby has been born with a thyroid
gland that does not produce enough thyroxine. The starting dose is
10 -15 micrograms/kg bodyweight per day for the first three months.
The dose will then be adjusted depending on how your baby
responds to the treatment.
Acquired hypothyroidism in children:
This is a condition where your child’s thyroid gland stops working
properly because it has been attacked by their immune system, e.g.
in children with an autoimmune disease or following a viral
infection. The starting dose is 12.5 – 50 micrograms per day. The
dose will then be increased every 2 - 4 weeks depending on how
your child responds to the medicine.
This is a condition where children and adolescents develop severe
hypothyroidism (produce very low levels of thyroid hormones). The
starting dose is 25 micrograms every day. The dose will then be
increased by 25 micrograms every 2 – 4 weeks until your child
shows mild symptoms of hyperthyroidism (a condition where the
thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine). The dose will then be
If you take more Levothyroxine tablets than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of the tablets at the same time,
or you think a child may have swallowed some, contact your nearest
hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Signs
of an overdose may include: fever, chest pain (angina), racing or
irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, headache, restlessness,
flushing, sweating and diarrhoea. These signs can take up to 5 days
to appear. Take any remaining tablets and this leaflet with you so that
the medical staff knows exactly what you have taken.
If you forget to take Levothyroxine tablets:
If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember unless it
is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make
up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to give your child their dose,
contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
If you stop taking Levothyroxine tablets:
These tablets are for long term use. You may need to take them for
the rest of your life. Do not stop taking the tablets unless your doctor
has told you to do so.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask
your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them.
Stop taking the tablets and go to hospital at once if you have:
• a rare allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, tongue, lips
and thr