Levothyroxine sodium is a synthetic analog of thyroid hormone thyroxine (T₄) used for the treatment of various thyroid diseases.

Indications for use:

• Hypothyroidism: replacement therapy for insufficient thyroid function.
• Euthyroid goiter: treatment of benign goiter with normal thyroid function.
• Prevention of goiter recurrence: after surgical treatment of euthyroid goiter.
• Thyroid cancer: suppressive therapy after surgical intervention.
• Thyroid suppressive therapy: as part of the complex treatment of thyrotoxicosis after achieving euthyroid state.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine sodium or any of the components of the drug.
• Untreated thyrotoxicosis.
• Untreated insufficiency of adrenal cortex or pituitary gland.
• Acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis or pancarditis.

Side effects:

• When used properly: side effects are usually absent.
• In overdose or too rapid a dose increase: symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased sweating, insomnia, tremors, anxiety, weight loss, diarrhea may occur.
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching (rare).

Special Instructions:

• Before starting treatment, the presence of diseases such as ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, adrenal cortex insufficiency should be excluded.
• In patients with cardiovascular diseases the initial dose should be lower; dose increase is carried out under the control of a physician.
• During pregnancy and lactation therapy with levothyroxine should be continued; however, combination with antithyroid drugs is contraindicated.

Before using the drug “Levothyroxine sodium” it is necessary to consult a doctor to select the optimal dosage and to exclude possible contraindications. Self-medication may lead to undesirable consequences.