Patient leaflet - LIOTHYRONINE SODIUM 5 MICROGRAMS TABLETS
2. what you need to know before you take liothyronine sodium tablets
Do not take Liothyronine Sodium Tablets if:
- you are allergic to liothyronine sodium or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- you have angina (chest pain when exercising) or conditions affecting your heart or circulation
- you are suffering from thyrotoxicosis (condition due to over activity of the thyroid gland)
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets if:
- you are suffering from diabetes. Liothyronine sodium tablets may raise blood sugar levels
- you are suffering from a condition called myxoedema (which can happen if you have a problem with your thyroid gland) which makes your skin look swollen and dry
- you are elderly
- you have suffered from low levels of thyroid hormone in your body for a long time, as this may affect how your adrenal glands work. You may be given additional medication (corticosteroids) if this is the case
- you are suffering from any heart problems
- you are having increased blood pressure
- you suffer from increased heart rate, sleeplessness, loose watery stools (suggesting increased metabolism) on initiation of treatment, dose reduction would be required
- you are initiating treatment, as an ECG test done at the time would be valuable
Other medicines and Liothyronine Sodium Tablets
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Liothyronine Sodium Tablets may affect or be affected by the following medicines:
- Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) used to thin the blood and prevent blood clots
- Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine or phenytoin) used to prevent fits
- Insulin and other treatments for diabetes
- Medicines called cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin) used to treat heart conditions such as heart failure
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline / imipramine) used to treat depression
- Cholestyramine/colestipol which reduces the level of cholesterol (fats) in the blood
- Oral contraceptives (“the pill”)
- Amiodarone, used to treat irregular heart beats
- Barbiturates, used to induce sleep and decrease anxiety
- Primidone, used for seizures or fits
Pregnancy, breast-feeding, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
The decision on whether it is best to take Liothyronine Sodium Tablets during pregnancy or breast feeding will be made by your doctor.
Driving and using machines
Liothyronine Sodium Tablets should not interfere with your ability to drive or use machinery.
3. how to take liothyronine sodium tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Please note that your doctor will monitor your thyroid function regularly to make sure that you are given the right dose for your condition.
Liothyronine Sodium Tablets are for oral use only.
The tablets can be either swallowed whole or dissolved in water. To dissolve the tablet:
- Put the tablet in a glass with at least 20 ml water for each tablet
- Either stir to dissolve or wait until the tablet is fully dissolved
- Drink all the liquid
- Add a little more water to the glass and drink that, to make sure no medicine is left in the glass
The solubility of liothyronine in water enables this method of administration.
The recommended dose is:
Adults:
The dose will depend upon your condition, ranging from 10 micrograms to 60 micrograms daily in divided doses, as directed by your doctor.
Use in children and elderly:
The dose may be started at 5 micrograms a day.
If a dose lower than 20 micrograms is required, an appropriate tablet strength should be used.
The 5 microgram tablets are not scored. The 20 microgram tablets are scored. The score line is not intended for breaking the tablet.
If you take more Liothyronine Sodium Tablets than you should:
This may cause agitation, confusion, headache, sweating and a rapid pulse. If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department as soon as possible. Take any remaining tablets and this leaflet with you so the medical staff will know what you have taken.
If you forget to take Liothyronine Sodium Tablets:
Take the next dose at the correct time and then go on as before. It is important, in order for your medicine to work, that doses are not forgotten. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets:
Do not stop taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
These effects normally mean that the dose of the medicine needs to be changed. Consult your doctor if they occur. The effects usually go away when the dose has been changed.
Side effects you could experience are:
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data):
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Insomnia (sleeplessness)
- Fever
- Intolerance to heat
- Tremor (involuntary, rhythmic muscle movements)
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, oedema (abnormal accumulation of body fluid)
- Angina pain (pain in the chest when exercising)
- Irregular, thumping or fast heart beats
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Diarrhoea
- Restlessness or excitability
- Headache, face and neck redness, sweating
- Loss of weight
Additional side effects in children
- Temporary loss of hair
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine
5. how to store liothyronine sodium tablets
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 bottle.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not use your tablets if you notice that the container or the tablets are damaged.
Store in the original container in order to protect from light.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other information
What Liothyronine Sodium Tablets contain:
- The active substance is liothyronine sodium 5 micrograms and 20 micrograms.
- The other ingredients are: calcium sulfate dihydrate, corn starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate and mannitol.