The medicine “L-thyroxine” has levothyroxine in its composition, similar in action to thyroid endogenous human hormones. The substance, once in the body, is metabolized to lyothyronine. And he, in turn, penetrating into the cells, regulates their development, has an effect on metabolism. The drug "L-thyroxine" is able to act in the mitochondria on oxidative metabolism, selectively regulate the flow of cations outside the cells and inside them. In a small dose, levothyroxine produces an anabolic effect, and in an average dose - mainly on tissues and cells. The medicine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, accelerates the breakdown and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins.
Indications for the use of "L-thyroxine"
Reviews of specialists about the drug are very positive. Prescribe a medicine for replacement therapy in case of hypothyroidism. In this case, the condition may have a different etiology. So, the medication is used for primary, secondary hypothyroidism, after thyroid surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine, with myxedema, obesity, accompanied by symptoms of hypothyroidism, cerebro-pituitary pathologies, cretinism. In addition, the drug "L-thyroxine" (doctors say that the drug is highly effective) is used in monotherapy for diffuse euthyroid goiter, euthyroid hyperplasia of the thyroid gland. Also, with the help of the drug, malignant highly differentiated hormone-dependent thyroid tumors are treated, including papillary and follicular carcinomas.
Release form and composition
The medicine is produced in tablets, enclosed in blisters. One unit of the product may include the active ingredient - sodium levothyroxine - in the amount of 25, 50, 100 μg. Auxiliary ingredients include lactose.
The use of the drug "L-thyroxine"
Reviews of doctors indicate the importance of following the instructions regarding the method of taking the drug. The entire daily dose should be taken at a time, best of all - in the morning, half an hour before meals. In this case, the tablet must be swallowed, in sufficient quantities with water. For infants, the drug is crushed, and then dissolved in a small amount of water until a suspension forms. The resulting mixture is given to the child half an hour before the first morning feed (it is necessary to prepare a suspension just before the intake). The dose of the drug “L-thyroxine”, the reviews of experts about which in most cases are good, is forbidden to select on your own. The doctor should install it, depending on age, the nature of the pathology, weight, functional state of the thyroid gland, determined by laboratory parameters. For adults, the recommended initial dose is 25-100 mcg per day, for children - 12.5-50 mcg. Then it is increased gradually (by 25-50 mcg every 2-3 weeks) until a maintenance dose is reached.
Means "L-thyroxine": side effects
If the dosage shown is observed, negative effects usually do not occur after taking the drug. However, sometimes symptoms such as increased appetite, impaired kidney function, and hair loss appear.
Contraindications
You should not take the medicine “L-thyroxine” (doctors' warnings about this, like the instructions) in the presence of individual hypersensitivity to the components included, with thyrotoxicosis, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, pericarditis, myocarditis, after the age of 65 years.