- Hypothyroidism in 18-49 years:
- Initially 50–100 mcg OD.
- Adjusted in steps of 25–50 mcg every 3–4 weeks according to response; maintenance 100–200 mcg
- Initially 50–100 mcg OD.
- Hypothyroidism with cardiac disease and adults >50 years:
- Initially 25 mcg OD.
- Adjusted in steps of 25 mcg every 4 weeks according to response
- Maintenance 50–200 mcg OD.
- Initially 25 mcg OD.
- Acquired hypothyroidism in children:
- PO 12.5-50mcg daily 30 min before meals
- Congenital hypothyroidism in children:
- PO 10-15mcg/kg/day *3/12
- Maintenance: 100-150mcg/m2
Tablet:
- 25mcg
- 50mcg
- 75mcg
- 100mcg
Given in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before breakfast.
Synthetic T4
T4 decreases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) production from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is converted to tri-iodothyronine (T3) in peripheral organs. T4 and T3 bind to thyroid receptor proteins in the cell nucleus and cause metabolic effects through the control of DNA transcription and protein synthesis.
- Thyrotoxic crisis
- Anginal pain
- Anxiety
- Arrhythmias
- Arthralgia
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspnoea
- Fever
- Flushing
- Headache
- Hyperhidrosis
- Insomnia
- Malaise
- Irregular menstruation
- Muscle spasms and weakness
- Oedema
- Palpitations
- Skin reactions
- Tremor
- Vomiting
- Weight decreased
- Hypersensitivity
- Coronary insufficiency
- Arteriosclerosis
- Thyroid autonomy
- Untreated adrenal insufficiency
- Untreated pituitary insufficiency
- Untreated thyrotoxicosis
- Acute MI
- Acute myocarditis
- Acute pancarditis
- Untreated hyperthyroidism
- Sodium iodide
- Warfarin
- Heparin
- Colestyramine
- Colestipol
- Antacids
- Sucralfate
- Salicylates
- Dicuramol
- Furosemide
- Clofibrate
- Phenytoin
- Amiodarone
- Proguanil
- Propylthiouracil
- Glucocorticoids
Drug Status
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Pregnancy | Can be used but with caution |
| Breastfeeding | Can be used but with caution |
| Schedule | Not controlled |
| BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eltroxin | 100mcg | Tablet | 100’s | GSK Ltd | GSK Ltd |
| Euthyrox | 25mcg | Tablet | 30’s | Merck Ltd | Merck Ltd |
| Euthyrox | 50mcg | Tablet | 30’s | Merck Ltd | Merck Ltd |
| Euthyrox | 100mcg | Tablet | 30’s | Merck Ltd | Merck Ltd |
| Telithro | 50mcg | Tablet | 30’s | Twokay Chemicals | Twokay Chemicals |
| Telithro | 100mcg | Tablet | 30’s | Twokay Chemicals | Twokay Chemicals |
| Thyrion | 100mcg | Tablet | 30’s | West-Coast Pharma | Metro Pharma |
| Thyrion | 50mcg | Tablet | 30’s | West-Coast Pharma | Metro Pharma |
| Thyroberg | 100mcg | Tablet | 100’s | Sunberg Lifesciences | Synermed Pharma |
| Thyroberg | 25mcg | Tablet | 100’s | Sunberg Lifesciences | Synermed Pharma |
| Thyroberg | 50mcg | Tablet | 100’s | Sunberg Lifesciences | Synermed Pharma |
| Thyroberg | 75mcg | Tablet | 100’s | Sunberg Lifesciences | Synermed Pharma |
| Thyrox | 100mcg | Tablet | 100’s | Macleods Pharma | Sai Pharma |