Eltroxin (Thyroxine Sodium 50mcg)

Eltroxin general information

What is Eltroxin used for?

Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine) needed to regulate the body’s growth and metabolism.  Hypothyroidism can be idiopathic (of unknown cause) or congenital as in the case of the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where the thyroid gland is destroyed by the immune system.  Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are a replacement hormone to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.  Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are also used to treat congenital hypothyroidism in infants born with the disease, acquired hypothyroidism in children, which can develop after birth and into childhood or adolescence, due to a deficiency of iodine in the diet; also juvenile myxoedema, which is a clinical condition of swelling under the skin and thickening of the skin that occurs in children who are deficient in thyroid hormone, usually due to their mother having a nutritional deficiency in iodine while in the womb, and who are physically and mentally underdeveloped. 

How does Eltroxin work?

Eltroxin 50mcg tablets contain levothyroxine sodium, a synthetic thyroid hormone that is identical to the naturally occurring thyroid hormone thyroxine or T4, produced by the thyroid gland.  Levothyroxine in Eltroxin 50mcg tablets is converted to the more active form of thyroid hormone (T3) which interacts with a specific receptor inside cells to stimulate proteins needed to manage and regulate a variety of processes including how the body regulates temperature, metabolises nutrients and controls growth and development.  The overall effect of thyroxine is to Increase rate of metabolism.  Thyroxine regulates the production of another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which in turn controls how much thyroxine is produced.  Eltroxin 50mcg tablets regulate TSH production in the same way and therefore, substitutes for a lack of endogenous thyroxine (produced by the thyroid gland). 

What does Eltroxin contain?

Eltroxin tablets 50mcg contain the active ingredient levothyroxine, which is used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. 

Treating underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) with Eltroxin

Eltroxin tablets 50mcg contain levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroid hormone that is identical to the naturally occurring thyroid hormone thyroxine or T4 and is used to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) by substituting for the lack of thyroid hormone needed to regulate normal growth and metabolism.  Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are used to treat idiopathic (of unknown cause) hypothyroidism or congenital hypothyroidism as in the case of the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where the thyroid gland is destroyed by the immune system; also congenital hypothyroidism in infants born with the disease, acquired hypothyroidism in children; also juvenile myxoedema, which is a clinical condition of swelling under the skin and thickening of the skin that occurs in children who are deficient in thyroid hormone, usually due to their mother having a nutritional deficiency in iodine while in the womb, and who are physically and mentally underdeveloped.  Eltroxin tablets 50mcg help relieve symptoms of hypothyroidism, including, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.   

What are the side effects of Eltroxin?

Most of the side effects experienced with taking Eltroxin tablets 50mcg mean that your dose is too high and may need adjusting.  The most commonly reported side effects when taking Eltroxin include headache, sleep problems (insomnia), feeling nervous or irritable sweating, flushing, appetite changes, weight loss, muscle weakness/cramps, tremors.

When should Eltroxin not be used?

You should not use Eltroxin tablets 50mcg if you:

• are allergic to levothyroxine or any ingredients in Eltroxin
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have had a heart attack, a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or an adrenal gland problem that is not controlled by treatment
• are a diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Eltroxin may affect your glucose tolerance
• are taking other medications that may interact with Eltroxin, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine, cardiac glycosides like digoxin for heart failure, cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine, tricyclic antidepressants, anticoagulants

What medications interact with Eltroxin?

Several medications interact with Eltroxin tablets 50mcg and should either not be taken while you are taking Eltroxin or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Eltroxin: the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine, cholesterol-lowing drugs containing cholestyramine
• Drugs that are affected by Eltroxin: the anticonvulsant phenytoin, cardiac glycosides like digoxin for heart failure, tricyclic antidepressants

How should Eltroxin be taken?

You should take your Eltroxin tablets 50mcg swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily on an empty stomach, preferably 30 minutes before eating breakfast.  Your doctor may increase your dose depending on your condition and response. Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are a long-term treatment and you should continue to take your Eltroxin tablets 50mcg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for and may be for the rest of your life. 

How long should you take Eltroxin?

Eltroxin tablets 50mcg are a long-term treatment and you should continue to take your Eltroxin tablets 50mcg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for and may be for the rest of your life. 

Missed dose of Eltroxin

If you miss a dose of Eltroxin tablets 50mcg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Eltroxin be stored?

You should store your Eltroxin tablets 50mcg below 25°C in a cool dry place.