levothyroxine (LEVO-T, LEVOXYL, NOVOTHYROX, SYNTHROID, THYRO-TABS, UNITHROID)
A comprehensive review of the safety
and effectiveness of this drug. If the drug is not a Do Not Use product, information
on adverse effects, drug interactions and how to use the medication are included.
Search results below include drug profiles where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion
Search results below include Disease and Drug Family Information where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion
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Thyroid Hormone
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Variations in the amount of active levothyroxine available in a tablet can affect both the safety and effectiveness of the drug. Levothyroxine is unstable in the presence of light, temperature, air, and humidity. Patients who receive superpotent tablets (too much levothyroxine) experience chest pain, rapid heart rate, or heart rhythm disturbances. There is also evidence that overtreatment can cause the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis. Subpotent (too little levothyroxine) tablets will not be effective in controlling the symptoms of low thyroid hormone production (hypothyroid).
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results below include Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter Articles where your
selected drug is a primary subject of discussion
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Hypothyroidism: A Consumer’s Guide to Diagnosing and Treatment
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(June 2009)
The article explains why it is not a good idea to start treatment with thyroid hormone replacement without confirmation with laboratory tests that you actually have hypothyroidism. It also discusses the kinds of symptoms that should lead you to have your thyroid level checked. -
Do Not Use! Natural or Desiccated Thyroid (ARMOUR THYROID) For Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
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(May 2003)
We wrote in the first edition of Worst Pills, Best Pills, published in 1988, that natural or desiccated (dried) thyroid extract products, such as ARMOUR THYROID, should not be used except by those who have successfully taken it for years to control their symptoms of low thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism).
Search results below include Additional Information from Public Citizen where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion
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Testimony before FDA Public Meeting on Levothyroxine Sodium Therapeutic Equivalence (HRG Publication #1744)
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Testimony before FDA Public Meeting on Levothyroxine Sodium Therapeutic Equivalence (HRG Publication #1744) -
Letter to FDA Commissioner David Kessler Urging Him to Begin a Safety and Efficacy Review of All Pharmaceuticals Marketed in the US Prior to 1938 (including Synthroid) (HRG Publication #1393)
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In 1978, the last year for which data are available, the FDA estimated that 240 pre-1938 pharmaceuticals were being manufactured. Of these, only 45 had submitted safety and efficacy data in New Drug Applications, in most instances not for all dosage forms of the medication.