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LEVOTHYROXINE 50MICROGRAMS TABLETS (THYROXINE 50MCG TABLETS)
Active substance(s): LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM ANHYDROUS
Levothyroxine 50 and 100 micrograms Tablets
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this
medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on
to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the
same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or
nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this
leaflet. See section 4.
Your medicine is called either Levothyroxine 50 micrograms or 100
micrograms tablets depending on what your doctor has prescribed.
It will be known as Levothyroxine Tablets for ease hereafter.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Levothyroxine Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Levothyroxine Tablets
3. How to take Levothyroxine Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Levothyroxine Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT LEVOTHYROXINE TABLETS ARE AND
WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR
Thyroxine is a hormone which is produced naturally in the body by
the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of this
hormone. Thyroxine controls how much energy your body uses.
When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine (a
condition known as hypothyroidism), many of the body’s functions
slow down. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism
• weight gain
• feeling depressed
Levothyroxine tablets are used to replace the thyroxine that your
thyroid gland cannot produce and prevent the symptoms of
hypothyroidism. Before starting your treatment your doctor will carry
out a blood test to work out how much levothyroxine you need.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU
TAKE LEVOTHYROXINE TABLETS
Do not take Levothyroxine 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 an