How does Eltroxin (Levothyroxine) work:

Eltroxin (Levothyroxine) contains the active ingredient thyroxine. Eltroxin (Levothyroxine) is used to treat hypothyroidism, a disease in which the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroxine, a hormone, which is important for controlling your metabolism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep husky voice and weight gain.

Eltroxin (Levothyroxine) is also used to treat children born with hypothyroidism (congenital), those who develop hypothyroidism in the first year of life (neonatal) and children who have hypothyroidism as part of juvenile myxoedema, a condition in which the amount of thyroxine produced by the body is low.

Dosage & Administration:

Take Eltroxin exactly as your physician has prescribed.

In adults, the usual dose is 50mcg to 100mcg a day, increased every 3 to 4 weeks as needed. The maximum dose is 200mcg daily. The dose is reduced in children according to their weight and age. Elderly people usually need a smaller dose because they are more sensitive to the effects of thyroxine. Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water. Tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at least 30 minutes before breakfast.

Your physician will do regular blood tests to make sure Eltroxin is working for you.

Side Effects:

• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
• chest pain
• sweating or flushing
• weight loss
• muscle weakness, cramps, or tremors
• rapid breathing
• fever
• headache
• inability to sleep
• feeling restless or excited

Precautions:

Do not take Eltroxin if you have had an allergic reaction before to any of the ingredients in Eltroxin.

Tell your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, if you have any other health problems, especially diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or underactive adrenal glands.

Further Information:

Your physician is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your illness. You may also be able to find general information about hypothyroidism and its treatment from other sources, for example, books in public libraries and on the Internet.