20 micrograms liothyronine sodium tablets
What Liothyronine is and what it is used for
Liothyronine is a hormone that is normally formed in the liver and the thyroid gland and which is important for metabolism.
Liothyronine is used when rapid effect and turnover of thyroid hormone is required,
for example in connection with investigations of various kinds. Liothyronine can also be used in combination with thyroxine in case of insufficient formation of liothyronine in the body.
Liothyronine sodium contained in Liothyronine may also be approved for the treatment of other conditions not mentioned in this leaflet. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional if you have any further questions, and always follow their instructions.
What you need to know before you use Liothyronine
Do not use Liothyronine
- if you are allergic to liotyronine sodium or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have impaired adrenal and pituitary lobe function, if these conditions are untreated.
- if you have hypothyroidism ( thyrotoxicosis ).
Warnings and cautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Liothyronine
- if you suffer from any heart disease
- if you have atherosclerosis and myxedema (a thyroid disease)
- if you have diabetes .
Other drugs and Liothyronine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
Liothyronine can affect or be affected by the following drugs:
- Amiodarone used to treat certain heart problems.
- Iron supplements, calcium medicines or medicines that contain aluminum and are used, for example, for heartburn, acid reflux or stomach ulcers . It should take four hours between taking these drugs and Liothyronine.
- Some medications for diabetes that are used to lower blood sugar levels.
- Digitalis glycosides used in heart disease.
- Carbamazepine and phenytoin which are medicines used to treat epilepsy .
- Barbiturate you as a sedative.
- Some cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine and cholestipol. There should be at least four hours between taking these drugs and Liothyronine.
- Warfarin which is a drug that counteracts blood clots.
- Polystyrene sulfonate used in the treatment of elevated blood potassium levels ( hyperkalaemia ). There should be at least four hours between taking these drugs and Liothyronine.
- Tricyclic antidepressant drugs
- Estrogen-containing drugs (found, for example, in certain contraceptives or in drugs used for menopausal symptoms).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Experience with treatment with Liothyronine during pregnancy is limited.
Liothyronine is not recommended for the treatment of hypothyroidism ( hypothyroidism ) during pregnancy. This is because Liothyronine is not passed on to the baby through the placenta. This can lead to the child not getting enough thyroid hormone, which is important for the child’s development.
When Liothyronine is used in investigations, the benefits of use during pregnancy should be weighed against possible risks. Talk to your doctor before using Liothyronine during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Liothyronine passes into breast milk but the risk of affecting the baby seems unlikely. Liothyronine can be used during breastfeeding.
Driving and using machines
Liothyronine has no or negligible effect on the ability to drive and use machines.
You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires sharpened attention. One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and/or side effects. Descriptions of these effects and side effects can be found in other sections. Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Liothyronine contains lactose
Liothyronine contains lactose . If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per tablet, ie essentially ‘sodium-free’.
How to use Liothyronine
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Dose one is determined by the doctor who adjusts it individually for you.
Swallow the tablet with a little water.
Liothyronine should be taken in the same way every day to food intake. Therefore, you must have the same routines every day so that dose one can be adjusted to your habits. In the event of a significant change in eating habits, dose one of Liothyronine may need to be adjusted. Talk to your doctor.
The tablet can be divided into two equal doses.
Place the tablet on a hard, flat surface with the notch facing up. Break the tablet by pressing the tablet downwards with your index finger.
In acute overdose with liothyronine, mild to moderate symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiety, irritability, tremors, sweating, fever, palpitations, high blood pressure, diarrhea, possible difficulty sleeping, headache, and vomiting are usually seen. Symptoms begin within 4-12 hours.
In the case of subacute overdose, in addition to the mentioned symptoms, there is a risk of muscle weakness, confusion, cramps, coma, dehydration, heart rhythm disturbances, and shock.
In chronic poisoning, moderate symptoms similar to those in acute chronic overdose are usually seen.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Has been reported (occurs in an unknown number of users):
Palpitations, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmias, and angina pectoris. Hypersensitivity reactions are like allergic skin reactions. Osteoporosis in women.
In rapid increase in dose or high dose, for example, heart palpitations, diarrhea, headache, tremor or nervousness occur.
How to store Liothyronine
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
Content declaration
- The active substance is liotyronine sodium 20 micrograms.
- The other ingredients are lactose , corn starch, talc, gelatin (porcine origin) and magnesium stearate.
What the medicine looks like and contents of the pack
Pack sizes:
100 tablets in a plastic jar