Desiccated Thyroid tablets
What are desiccated thyroid hormone tablets?
DESICCATED THYROID (Armour® Thyroid and others) acts as a replacement for people whose thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone can improve symptoms of thyroid deficiency such as slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry thick skin and unusual sensitivity to cold. Thyroid hormone also helps to treat a condition called goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland. Generic thyroid hormone tablets are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take desiccated thyroid?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
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angina
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diabetes mellitus
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heart disease
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high blood pressure
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low levels of pituitary hormone
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dieting or on a weight loss program
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previous heart attack
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an unusual or allergic reaction to thyroid hormones, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
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pregnant or trying to get pregnant
How should I take this medicine?
Take Thyroid hormone tablets by mouth 30—60 minutes before a meal (on an empty stomach) with a full glass of water. The doses should be taken at regular intervals as indicated on the medication label. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with desiccated thyroid?
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amiodarone
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antacids
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calcium supplements, like Tums® and many others
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carbamazepine
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cholestyramine
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colestipol
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digoxin
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female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
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ketamine
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medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
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medicines for diabetes
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medicines for mental depression
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medicines or herbals used to decrease weight or appetite
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phenobarbital or other barbiturate medications
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phenytoin
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prednisone or other corticosteroids
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rifabutin
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rifampin
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soy isoflavones
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sucralfate
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theophylline
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warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking desiccated thyroid?
If you are taking thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid, it may be several weeks before you notice an improvement. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if you develop any of the above side effects. It may be necessary for you to take this medicine for the rest of your life; do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Do not change your brand of thyroid hormone tablets without consulting your prescriber or health care professional. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you are uncertain.
Thyroid hormones can affect blood sugar levels. If you also have diabetes, you may need to adjust the dose of your diabetic medicine once you are stabilized on thyroid hormones. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is often necessary.
You may lose some of your hair while using thyroid hormones. With time, this usually corrects itself.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking thyroid hormone.
What side effects may I notice from taking desiccated thyroid?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
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difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
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chest pain
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excessive sweating or intolerance to heat
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fast or irregular heartbeat or pulse rate
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nervousness
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skin rash or hives
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swelling of ankles, feet or legs
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away after the expiration date.