Cytomel

Brand name:

Cytomel

Liothyronine is a thyroid hormone drug that is used to manage hypothyroidism. It can either be utilized as a replacement or supplemental therapy.

It can also be used to suppress the pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone. This means it helps decrease goiters or enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Liothyronine can also be useful in detecting other types of thyroid gland problems.

You can only purchase this medication with a prescription and is sold as a tablet.

You and your doctor need to discuss the risks and benefits associated with liothyronine treatment.

This medicine may not be the best fit for you if you are allergic to similar medications or the components of liothyronine. If you are allergic to any foods, animals, preservatives and other drugs, you should inform your physician.

Studies conducted on children have shown that liothyronine is effective and safe for use. The same goes in geriatric patients.

However, the dosage should be adjusted accordingly since elderly individuals can have age-related liver and kidney problems.

Liothyronine can be used in pregnant women as research has demonstrated that his medication does not put the fetus at risk of developing abnormalities. Nursing mothers need to weigh the risks and benefits involving in using liothyronine since not enough research has been done regarding its effects on a breastfeeding baby.

You may feel certain side effects if you use liothyronine with the following:

• acenocoumarol,
• anisindione,
• dicumarol,
• kelp,
• phenindione,
• phenprocoumon,
• warfarin.

This medication is contraindicated in people who have uncorrected adrenal cortical insufficiency and untreated thyrotoxicosis.

It should be used with caution in patients with

• an underactive pituitary gland,
• diabetes,
• heart disease,
• clotting disorders,
• hypogonadism,
• kidney problems,
• myxedema,
• other adrenal gland problems.

You should always follow your treating physician’s instructions.

The dosage, frequency, and timing depend on the condition being treated. You need to remember that hypothyroidism is a chronic condition, which means you need to take liothyronine throughout your lifetime.

Make sure your take your medicine regularly and do not change anything about it without asking your doctor first.

In mild hypothyroidism, adults should be given 25 mcg/day. In myxedema, adult patients should take 5 mcg/day. The dose will be increased accordingly by your doctor.

In simple (non-toxic) goiter, adults should receive 5 mcg once daily.

Dosage will be increased accordingly by your doctor.

The dosage for children with any of the aforementioned conditions is to be determined by the treating physician. Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. Skip it though if it’s almost time for the next dose.

Keep this medication away from children’s reach and away from extreme temperature. Throw away expired medications.

Go to your regular checkups religiously. In this way, your healthcare provider can monitor your condition closely and prevent any kind of side effects.

Certain laboratory examinations may be ordered to make sure that liothyronine is working properly. There are several precautions you need to be mindful about.

You should not use this medication for weight loss or management.

If you take high doses of liothyronine, you may be increasing your risk of developing other medical conditions.

This medication is not used to treat infertility in men unless it is caused by hypothyroidism. You need to watch out for symptoms of thyroid hormone toxicity. These include increased

• pulse rate,
• chest pain,
• excessive sweating,
• palpitations,
• nervousness,
• heat intolerance.

If you have diabetes as well, inform your physician because the dosage of your antidiabetic medications needs to be adjusted accordingly. You also need to monitory your blood or urine sugar levels closely.

You need to report to your doctor if you have changes in sugar levels.

If you are on concomitant anticoagulant treatment, you need to monitor your prothrombin time regularly. The dose of your anticoagulant medicines may need to be adjusted as well.

You may also experience transient hair loss in the first few months of treatment. Your hair will eventually grow back.

Oral liothyronine can have a number of side effects.

You may not necessary experience all of them. Some of these effects do not need treatment and usually go away on their own.

However, get medical help right away if you do experience the following:

• arm, back or jaw pain;
• changes in appetite;
• changes in menstrual periods;
• chest pain, tightness or heaviness;
• cold clammy skin;
• confusion;
• diarrhea;
• decreased urine output;
• dilated neck veins;
• dizziness;
• extreme fatigue;
• fainting;
• irregular pulse;
• fever;
• tremors in the hands;
• headache;
• irregular breathing;
• irritability;
• leg cramps;
• nausea;
• shortness of breath;
• trouble sleeping;
• vomiting;
• weight gain or loss;
• and wheezing.

Call your doctor if you experience other unusual side effects.