Euthyrox 50mcg Tablets

Levothyroxine replaces the thyroid hormone your body is not making enough of. It is used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which can cause tiredness, weight gain and low mood.

Most people need it long term, often for life.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. You will have regular blood tests to check your dose.

• Take it on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, tea or coffee, and other medicines.
• Take it at the same time each day and swallow tablets with a full glass of water.
• Keep calcium and iron supplements at least 4 hours away from it. Ask your pharmacist about spacing antacids and other medicines.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Never take two doses at once.
• Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Side effects are uncommon when the dose is right. A dose that is too high can cause:

• trouble sleeping, anxiety or feeling shaky
• headache, sweating, diarrhoea
• hair loss

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• chest pain, or a fast or irregular heartbeat
• high temperature, feeling faint, or yellow skin or eyes
• swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or trouble breathing

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have heart disease or hardened arteries
• have an overactive thyroid, or problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands
• have diabetes, osteoporosis or anaemia
• take medicines for epilepsy, depression, stomach acid, weight loss, heart or blood pressure, or take St John's wort or biotin
• are pregnant (your dose may need checking more often) or breastfeeding
• are having surgery

Keep it in the original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Not for weight loss: do not use levothyroxine to lose weight. Large amounts can cause serious, even life-threatening, problems.

Food: soya, walnuts and high-fibre foods can affect how well it works; talk to your doctor about your diet.

Blood tests: tell your doctor if you take biotin, as it can upset thyroid test results.