Eltroxin Tablets
Eltroxin contains Levothyroxine Sodium that is identical to the
thyroid hormone produced in the human thyroid gland. It is used to
treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not
produce enough thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine is also used to help
decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands (also called a
goiter). Eltroxin helps to reduce the symptoms of low thyroid
hormone such as weight gain, sensitivity to cold, lack of energy,
and dry skin.
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient present in Eltroxin Tablets is
Levothyroxine Sodium.Eltroxin 50 mcg contains 50 micrograms (0.05
mg) of Levothyroxine Sodium whereas Eltroxin 100 mcg contains 100
micrograms (0.1 mg) of Levothyroxine Sodium.The inactive
ingredients present are as per the old formula of
GlaxoSmithKline.
Chemical Structure
Inactive ingredients present in Eltroxin 25 mcg tablets:
Sodium Citrate
Lactose
Starch Maize
Acacia Powder
Magnesium Stearate
Purified Water
Inactive ingredients present in Eltroxin 50 mcg tablets:
Sodium Citrate
Lactose
Starch Maize
Acacia Powder
Magnesium Stearate
Purified Water
Inactive ingredients present in Eltroxin 100 mcg tablets:
Sodium Citrate
Lactose
Starch Maize
Gelatin
Methyl Hydroxybenzoate
Propyl Hydroxybenzoate
Magnesium Stearate
Purified Water
Recommended Adult Dosage
Eltroxin is administered as a single daily dose, on an empty
stomach preferably one-half to one hour before breakfast. Eltroxin
tablets should be taken at least 4 hours apart from medicines that
are known to interfere with its absorption.The Initial recommended
dose is 50 to 100 micrograms daily and adjusted at four or six week
intervals by 50 micrograms until attainment of adequate clinical
response.
Administration
Should preferably be taken on an empty stomach
Should be swallowed whole
Should be taken with a full glass of water
Eltroxin tablets should not be split
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Levothyroxine Sodium or any inactive
ingredient of the preparation.
Patients with untreated subclinical or overt thyrotoxicosis
Patients with acute myocardial infarction
Patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
Possible Side Effects
Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin
rash and pruritis
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Increased appetite,
abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Nervous system disorders: Excitability, insomnia, restlessness,
headache, tremors, seizure
Possible Side Effects
Cardiac disorders: Anginal pain, cardiac arrhythmias,
palpitations, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, heart failure,
myocardial infarction
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Dysponea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Sweating, flushing, hair
loss
Possible Side Effects
Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders : Cramps
in the skeletal muscle, muscular weakness, decreased bone mineral
density.
Reproductive system and breast disorders: Menstrual
irregularity, impaired fertility
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue,
heat intolerance, fever, excessive loss of weight.
Appropriate thyroxine dosage is based upon clinical assessment
and laboratory monitoring of thyroid function tests. During the
initial titration period, careful dosage titration and monitoring
is necessary to avoid the consequences of under- or
over-treatment.
Treatment with thyroxine in patients with panhypopituitarism or
other causes predisposing to adrenal insufficiency may cause
reactions including dizziness, weakness, malaise, weight loss,
hypotension and adrenal crisis. It is advisable to initiate
corticosteroid therapy before giving levothyroxine sodium in these
cases.
Warnings And Precautions
Special care is needed in the elderly and in patients with
symptoms of myocardial insufficiency or ECG evidence of myocardial
infarction or ischaemia and also those with diabetes mellitus or
insipidus.
Levothyroxine raises blood sugar levels and this may upset the
stability of patients receiving antidiabetic agents.
Levothyroxine is excreted in breast milk in low concentrations
and this may be sufficient to interfere with neonatal screening for
hypothroidism.
Warnings And Precautions
In women, long-term levothyroxine sodium therapy has been
associated with increased bone resorption, thereby decreasing bone
mineral density, especially in post-menopausal women on greater
than replacement doses or in women who are receiving suppressive
doses of levothyroxine sodium.
Warnings And Precautions
Overdose Symptoms
In addition to exaggeration of side effects the following
symptoms may be seen: agitation, confusion, irritability,
hyperactivity, headache, sweating, mydriasis, tachycardia,
arrhythmias, tachypnoea, pyrexia, increased bowel movements and
convulsions. Cerebral embolism, shock, coma, and death have also
been reported. Seizures have occurred in a child ingesting 18 mg of
levothyroxine. Symptoms may not necessarily be evident or may not
appear until several days after ingestion of Levothyroxine
Sodium.
Overdose Treatment
Levothyroxine Sodium should be reduced in dose or temporarily
discontinued if signs or symptoms of overdosage occur.In case of an
acute overdose, symptomatic and supportive therapy should be
instituted immediately. If not contraindicated (e.g., by seizures,
coma, or loss of the gag reflex), the stomach should be emptied by
emesis or gastric lavage to decrease gastrointestinal absorption.
Activated charcoal or cholestyramine may also be used to decrease
absorption.
Overdose Treatment
Central and peripheral increased sympathetic activity may be
treated by administering Beta-receptor antagonists, e.g.,
propranolol, provided there are no medical contraindications to
their use.Provide respiratory support as needed; control congestive
heart failure and arrhythmia; control fever, hypoglycemia, and
fluid loss as necessary. Large doses of antithyroid drugs (e.g.,
methimazole or propylthiouracil) followed in one to two hours by
large doses of iodine may be given to inhibit synthesis and release
of thyroid hormones. Glucocorticoids may be given to inhibit the
conversion of T4 to T3.
Eltroxin Tablets 25 mcg, 50 mcg & 100 mcg from
GlaxoSmithKline.
For more information click here
Eltroxin Tablets
The Swiss Pharmacy, Geneva Switzerland
