Levothroid (Levothyroxine Sodium) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse reactions associated with levothyroxine therapy are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage (see PRECAUTIONS and OVERDOSAGE). They include the following:

General: fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating;

Central nervous system: headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia;

Musculoskeletal: tremors, muscle weakness;

Cardiovascular: palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased pulse and blood pressure, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest;

Respiratory: dyspnea;

Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevations in liver function tests;

Dermatologic: hair loss, flushing;

Endocrine: decreased bone mineral density;

Reproductive: menstrual irregularities, impaired fertility.

Pseudotumor cerebri and slipped capital femoral epiphysis have been reported in children receiving levothyroxine therapy. Overtreatment may result in craniosynostosis in infants and premature closure of the epiphyses in children with resultant compromised adult height.

Seizures have been reported rarely with the institution of levothyroxine therapy.

Inadequate levothyroxine dosage will produce or fail to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Hypersensitivity reactions to inactive ingredients have occurred in patients treated with thyroid hormone products. These include urticaria, pruritus, skin rash, flushing, angioedema, various GI symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), fever, arthralgia, serum sickness and wheezing. Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine itself is not known to occur.

REPORTS OF SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS RELATED TO LEVOTHROID

Possible Levothroid side effects / adverse reactions in 68 year old female

Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification from United States on 2007-01-29

Patient: 68 year old female weighing 81.6 kg (179.6 pounds)

Reactions: Weight Increased, Fatigue, Alopecia, DRY Skin, Gastrooesophageal Reflux Disease

Suspect drug(s):
Levothroid
    Dosage: 125 mcg qd po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2006-05-01
    End date: 2006-07-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 125 mcg qd po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2006-08-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 125 mcg q07od po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2006-07-01
    End date: 2006-08-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 62.5 mg qod po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2006-07-01
    End date: 2006-08-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 150 mcg qd po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2004-01-01
    End date: 2006-05-01

Possible Levothroid side effects / adverse reactions in 39 year old female

Reported by a consumer/non-health professional from United States on 2007-07-25

Patient: 39 year old female

Reactions: Blood Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Decreased, Hepatic Steatosis

Suspect drug(s):
Levothroid
    Dosage: 112 mcg qd; po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2005-01-01
    End date: 2007-07-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 110 mcg qd; po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    End date: 2005-01-01

Levothroid
    Dosage: 125 mcg qd;po
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Hypothyroidism
    Start date: 2007-07-02