Thyroid Desiccated

Thyroid desiccated is used to treat hypothyroidism.

Thyroid desiccated is available under the following different brand names: Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablets

• 15mg, 16.25mg, 30mg, 32.5mg, 48.75 mg, 60mg, 65mg, 81.25, 90mg, 97.5 mg, 113.75 mg
• 120mg, 130mg, 146.25, 162.5mg, 180mg, 195mg, 240mg, 260 mg, 300mg, 325 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Hypothyroidism

• Adults, mild: initial 15-30 mg orally once daily, may increase by 15 mg/day every 2-3 weeks (or 30 mg/day every 30 days)
• Adults, myxedema: start 15 mg orally once daily, THEN after 2 weeks 30 mg orally once daily, THEN after 2 weeks 60 mg orally once daily
• Adults, maintenance: 60-120 mg orally once daily
• Administration: before breakfast
• Children 12 years or older: 1.2-1.8 mg/kg orally once daily
• Children 6-12 years: 2.4-3 mg/kg orally once daily
• Children 1-5 years: 3-3.6 mg/kg orally once daily
• Children 6-12 months: 3.6-4.8 mg/kg orally once daily
• Children 6 months: 4.8-6 mg/kg orally once daily

Not recommended in geriatric patients.

Other Indications and Uses

• As diagnostic agents in suppression tests to differentiate suspected mild hyperthyroidism or thyroid gland autonomy

Side effects of Thyroid Desiccated may include:

• Fast heart rate
• Hair loss
• Muscle pain
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Nervousness
• Tremor
• Diarrhea
• Cramps

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Severe interactions of thyroid desiccated include:
  • sodium iodide I-131
• Serious interactions of thyroid desiccated include:
  • antithrombin alfa
  • antithrombin III
  • argatroban
  • bemiparin
  • bivalirudin
  • dalteparin
  • enoxaparin
  • fondaparinux
  • heparin
  • lepirudin
  • lycopus
  • phenindione
  • protamine
  • tinzaparin
  • warfarin
• Moderate interactions of thyroid desiccated include:
  • carbonyl iron
  • cholestyramine
  • colesevelam
  • digoxin
  • eluxadoline
  • ferric maltol
  • ferrous fumarate
  • ferrous gluconate
  • ferrous sulfate
  • insulin degludec
  • insulin degludec/insulin aspart
  • insulin inhaled
  • iron dextran complex
  • iron sucrose
  • lanthanum carbonate
  • levonorgestrel oral/ethinylestradiol/ferrous bisglycinate
  • metformin
  • nateglinide
  • polysaccharide iron
  • rose hips
• Thyroid desiccated has mild interactions with at least 26 different drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

This medication contains thyroid desiccated. Do not take Armour Thyroid or Nature-Throid if you are allergic to thyroid desiccated or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

Effects of Drug Abuse

Short-Term Effects

Long-Term Effects

Cautions

Pregnancy and Lactation

Thyroid desiccated is generally acceptable for use during pregnancy. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

A small amount of thyroid desiccated is excreted into breast milk. Use caution while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.

• • Hypersensitivity to thyroid hormone
  • Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) uncomplicated by hypothyroidism, untreated thyrotoxicosis, untreated adrenal insufficiency
  • No information available.
  • See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Thyroid Desiccated?"
  • See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Thyroid Desiccated?"
  • Angina, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), endocrine disorders, elderly
  • Judicious use in acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) complicated or caused by hypothyroidism may be considered
  • Ineffective in the treatment of obesity or of infertility uncomplicated by hypothyroidism
  • Myxedemous patients are very sensitive to thyroid hormone; start at low dosage