e tablets
• if you are allergic to levothyroxine or any of the other ingredients
of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you suffer from an overactive thyroid gland that produces too
much thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis)
• if you have any condition that affects your adrenal glands (your
doctor will be able to advise you if you are not sure).
If any of these apply to you, do not take this medicine and go back to
your doctor to discuss your treatment.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking
• if you have suffered with an under active thyroid gland for a long
• if you suffer from heart problems including angina, coronary
artery disease or high blood pressure
• if you are being treated for diabetes. The dose of your antidiabetic medicine may need to be changed as levothyroxine can
raise blood sugar levels
• if you are over 50 years of age.
Before you start taking levothyroxine your doctor will do a blood test
to see how much thyroxine your thyroid gland is making and what
dose of the medicine you will need. Once you start taking
the medicine your doctor will want you to have regular blood tests to
see how well the medicine is working.
Other medicines: and levothyroxine tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken
or might take any other medicines. This includes over the counter
medicines, herbal remedies and vitamin supplements. Many
medicines affect the way levothyroxine works. The effects of other
drugs may also be affected by levothyroxine.
The following may affect the way that levothyroxine works:
• medicines for epilepsy such as carbamazepine, phenytoin,
primidone and barbiturates
• sertraline – used to treat depression and anxiety disorders
• antacids – used to treat indigestion
• medicines containing calcium salts
• cimetidine – used to reduce excess stomach acid
• proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, lansoprazole and
pantoprazole - used to reduce the amount of acid produced by
• sucralfate – used to treat and prevent stomach and duodenal
• cholestyramine and colestipol – used to treat high level of fat in
• polystyrene sulphone resin – used to reduce high levels of
potassium in the blood
• medicines containing iron that are taken by mouth
• rifampicin – used to treat infections
• imatinib – used to treat certain types of cancer
• beta blockers such as atenolol and sotalol – used to treat high
blood pressure and heart problems
• oestrogen containing medicines for hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) and contraception (the ‘pill’)
• androgen containing medicines for male hormone replacement
• corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and prednisolone –
used to treat inflammation
• amiodarone – used to treat an irregular heart beat
• orlistat – used to treat obesity.
The following may be affected by levothyroxine:
• anticoagulant medicines to prevent blood clots such as warfarin
• medicines to treat diabetes such as insulin and metformin
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine and
• medicines that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system such as
adrenaline (used to treat severe allergic reactions) or
phenylephrine (a decongestant found in many cold and flu
• digoxin – used to treat heart problems
• anti-inflammatory medicines such as phenylbutazone or aspirin
• propanolol – used to treat high blood pressure and heart
• ketamine – used as an anaesthetic. If you need to have an
operation, please tell your doctor or anaesthetist that you are
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or
are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for
advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will decide if you
should continue treatment with levothyroxine whilst you are
pregnant, particularly in the first three months of your pregnancy.
Driving and using machines
This medicine should not affect your ability to drive and use
Levothyroxine Tablets contain lactose:
This medicine also contains lactose, a sugar. If you have been told
by your doctor that you have an intolerance