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HYPOTHYROIDISM / UNDER ACTIVE THYROIDTreatment for Hypothyroidism/Under Active ThyroidPlease note ***NAME CHANGE ***
Levoxine does not have to be stored at refrigerated temperature, however it is essential it is kept below 25 degrees Celsius. Especially important during summer months and in areas of Australia where the temperature regularly rises above 25 degrees Celsius. It should not be left in the bathroom, near a window or left in your car. Active Ingredient: Levothyroxine Sodium Distributor: Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd Doses Available: 50, 75, 100, 200 Tablets are dispensed in a bottle. Each dose is a different colour. Below are the additives for the different colours used in the tablets for each dose:
Levoxine is available on Prescribed Benefits Scheme (PBS). Prescriptions must be written in the name of Levoxine for this brand to be dispensed by the pharmacist with ‘Brand Substitute Not Allowed’ ticked on the prescription. Please ensure you have been given the brand prescribed before leaving the pharmacy. If your pharmacist does not have Levoxine available, please request it be ordered. It should not take any longer than 24 hours to arrive. Please follow the correct instructions for taking Levoxine. Patients who have been prescribed Levoxine and are stable on this brand, should not change brands for any reason, unless your thyroid treating doctor has recommended a change. Levoxine is bio-equivalent to Oroxine, Eutroxsig. It is not bio-equivalent to Eltroxin. Doses and brands should not be interchanged. Levoxine Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is available hereOroxine, Eutroxsig, Eltroxin & Levoxine (Synthetic T4/Levothyroxine)Levothyroxine (Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine) is prescribed for patients who have had surgical removal of their thyroid gland, either a total or hemi thyroidectomy or who suffer from hypothyroidism/underactive thyroid function. Levothyroxine can also be prescribed for patients after RAI Treatment. Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine are synthetic forms of the hormone Levothyroxine (T4). These brands are the closest synthetic form of thyroxine hormone to what a healthy thyroid gland produces. If the thyroid gland is underactive, your doctor will prescribe a small dose ‘starting dose’ to start your treatment, usually 50mcgs and increase the dose as the thyroid gland becomes progressively inactive, until you reach a ‘stable dose’, somewhere between 100-200mcgs per day. If this medication is prescribed as a result of a total/hemi thyroidectomy, your treating doctor will determine the initial dose following surgery and after pathology tests. It is unusual for patients to cease this medication once it has begun, as thyroxine hormone is an essential hormone to regulate body function. It is usual for patients to take the medication for the rest of your life. PLEASE NOTE: Eltroxin is not the same formula as Oroxine, Eutroxsig or Levoxine. It is 10% less active ingredient than Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Levoxine. Levoxine is bio-equivalent to Oroxine and Eutroxin. Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable and two different brands should not be taken to make up a daily prescribed dose. Time to Take Levothyroxine MedicationRecent research supports The ATF’s Recommendation to take Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine first thing in the morning (as soon as your eyes are open) with a glass of water only, on an empty stomach. Wait at least 30 – 60 minutes after taking the dose before breakfast. Other prescribed medications, over the counter medications, vitamins/minerals herbal medicines and supplements should not be taken at the same time to avoid interactions with Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine. An interval of at least 4 hours after taking Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine is recommended by Prof. Jim Stockigt before taking other medications. (Thyroid News No 7 Sept/Oct 2001). This is due to possible interactions and lower absorption. The longer you can leave taking other medications the better, as many medications, vitamins and supplements intact with Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine. (Please speak to your treating doctor if it’s possible to take other medications late in the day or night to avoid any interaction). Storage of Oroxine and EutroxsigIt is essential to refrigerate Oroxine and Eutroxsig blister strips between 2-8 degrees Celsius not yet in use. (refrigerated temperature). The ATF recommend all blister strips – in use and not yet in use, be kept refrigerated at all times. Remove your blister(s) from the refrigerator in the morning to retrieve your daily dose. This is to safeguard against spoilage from room temperatures rising throughout the day, due to seasonal change, or room heating during colder months. Laboratory tests have shown that if not stored correctly, there is a reduction in potency of the active ingredient, thyroxine sodium. Storage of Eltroxin & LevoxineEltroxin and Levoxine do not need to be kept at refrigerated temperature. Eltroxin and Levoxine should be kept below 25 degrees Celsius. Particularly during summer months and in areas of Australia that regularly reach 25 degree Celsius. Please note: Eltroxin and Levoxine are both different formulas to each other and are also different formulas to Oroxine and Eutroxsig.
Tertroxin (Liothyronine sodium)Tertroxin is a synthetic form of "liothyronine" (T3), which is a naturally occurring thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine – thyroid hormone replacement (T4) medication breaks down into Liothyronine (T3) once it absorbs after ingesting. Tertroxin is usually prescribed, after very careful consideration, by a thyroid treating specialist (Endocrinologist) who will determine if taking Tertroxin will benefit the patient. It can be prescribed to take with Levothyroxine (T4) medication, sometimes it may be prescribed to take alone. Please seek advice from an Endocrinologist who will monitor your pathology results regularly whilst taking Tertroxin. Interaction of Vitamins, Supplements and Herbal Extracts When Taking LevothyroxineThe ATF do not recommend taking any vitamins, supplements or herbal extracts, unless you have been diagnosed by way of pathology test of a definite deficiency and increasing additional nutrient through your daily food intake has not improved the deficiency. Example: If you have low iron levels and increasing your weekly intake of red meat has not improved your iron levels. Therefore, your treating doctor has recommended a supplement to improve your intake. Many vitamins, supplements and herbal extracts interact with Levothyroxine and can cause Levothyroxine levels and absorption to be affected. If you do need to take a vitamin, supplement or herbal extract please be very cautious and leave many hours between taking your Levothyroxine dose and then the supplement to avoid any unnecessary problems. |
Members Tip
Do not store Oroxine/Eutroxsig/Eltroxin/Levoxine or any other medicines in a bathroom, near a sink or window or in the car.
If tablets become soft, crumble, and/or discoloured, you believe they are not effective, or you have developed side-effects, please contact the following and report:report to the please contact:
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – Reporting Adverse Events
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-adverse-events
The Australian Thyroid Foundation
Email: info@thyroidfoundation.org.auAdverse Medicine Event Line
Phone: 1300 134 237
NPS Medicines Line
Phone: 1300 Medicines (1300 633 424)
Travelling with Refrigerated Brands of Levothyroxine
To ensure your medication stays cool and does not spoil from being exposed to heat whilst travelling, The ATF now has available as one of our many Member Services a Medication Travel Pack for members to purchase. Medication Travel Pack Features:
The ATF Medication Travel Pack is available to members of the ATF at a reduced price, as a Member Service.
Members services include one-on-one support, ongoing information and much more! Once you're an ATF Member, login to your Membership Account to purchase a Medication Travel Pack. Don’t forget, once you have joined as a member, to also logon to the ATF Member Section to access all ATF member information; member stories, audio, video, articles and much more! Members Can Purchase the ATF Medication Travel Pack for $45.00 + Postage – standard or express postage Australia wide. After receiving many concerns from ATF Members about keeping refrigerated brands of Levothyroxine cool whilst travelling, The ATF Committee resourced The ATF Medication Travel Pack to include as one of our services for patients to purchase as a solution to travelling with refrigerated brands of Levothyroxine. |
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