About Levothyroxine 50 mcg Tablet
Levothyroxine 50 mcg Tablet contains Levothyroxine 50 mcg. Levothyroxine is a man-made form of thyroxine, a hormone normally made by the thyroid gland. It is used to replace the hormone when the thyroid does not make enough (hypothyroidism). It is usually taken once a day on an empty stomach, and most people need it long term. Your doctor will adjust the dose using blood tests.
Uses of Levothyroxine 50 mcg Tablet
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Replacement after thyroid surgery or treatment
- Some types of goitre and thyroid cancer, as advised by the specialist
Benefits
In hypothyroidism
It replaces the missing thyroid hormone, which helps with tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation and low mood caused by an underactive thyroid. It may take a few weeks to feel the full benefit.
Side effects
Most side effects are signs that the dose needs adjusting. Do not change the dose yourself; talk to your doctor.
Common
- Usually few side effects at the right dose
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations (if the dose is too high)
- Feeling nervous, shaky or unable to sleep (if the dose is too high)
- Sweating or feeling hot
- Temporary hair thinning in the first months
Get medical help if you notice
- Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat — seek medical help straight away
- Severe headache, tremor, weight loss, diarrhoea or heat intolerance — may mean the dose is too high; contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or throat — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, once a day on an empty stomach, usually 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Take it the same way every day.
How it works
Levothyroxine is converted in the body into the active thyroid hormone. This hormone controls how fast the body uses energy (metabolism), restoring normal hormone levels.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No direct interaction is known. Keep alcohol within safe limits.
Pregnancy Safe
It is important to keep taking it in pregnancy. The dose often needs to go up, so tell your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Breastfeeding Safe
Only tiny amounts pass into breast milk, and this is not expected to harm the baby. Keep taking it as prescribed.
Driving Safe
It is not expected to affect your ability to drive.
Kidney Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Liver Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it on an empty stomach, at the same time each day.
- Keep a gap of at least 4 hours between this medicine and calcium, iron or antacid products.
- Go for thyroid blood tests as your doctor advises.
- Do not use it for weight loss — it can be dangerous.
- Stick to the same brand if possible; tell your doctor if your brand changes.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Synthetic thyroid hormone (T4)
- Therapeutic class
- Hormone / thyroid
- Action class
- Thyroid hormone replacement
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Calcium, iron, antacids and some cholesterol-binding medicines | Reduce absorption of levothyroxine; keep at least 4 hours apart |
| Warfarin | Its blood-thinning effect may increase |
| Insulin and other diabetes medicines | Their dose may need adjusting when thyroid treatment starts or changes |
| Carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampicin | May reduce the effect of levothyroxine |
| Estrogen-containing medicines | May increase how much levothyroxine you need |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Levothyroxine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: levothyroxine sodium). Pharmacist review pending.