Euthyrox

Generic name:levothyroxine [ LEE-voe-thye-ROX-een ]
Drug class:Thyroid drugs

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on May 4, 2021.

What is Euthyrox?

Euthyrox is a replacement for a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Euthyrox treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).

Euthyrox is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.

Warnings

You may not be able to take Euthyrox if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder, a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis, or if you have any recent or current symptoms of a heart attack.

Before taking this medicine

Euthyrox should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems. Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of levothyroxine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss medications or appetite suppressants.

Since thyroid hormone occurs naturally in the body, almost anyone can take levothyroxine. However, you may not be able to take Euthyrox if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:

• an untreated or uncontrolled adrenal gland disorder;

• a thyroid disorder called thyrotoxicosis; or

• symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling).

To make sure Euthyrox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a thyroid nodule;

• heart disease, a blood clot, or a blood-clotting disorder;

• diabetes (insulin or oral diabetes medication doses may need to be changed when you start taking Euthyrox);

• kidney disease;

• anemia (lack of red blood cells);

• osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;

• problems with your pituitary gland; or

• any food or drug allergies.

Tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation therapy with iodine (such as I-131).

If you become pregnant while taking Euthyrox, do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice. Having low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. ...