The drug "El-Thyroxine" is a synthetic thyroid hormone, an analogue of natural thyroxine. After taking the drug, there is a partial conversion of thyroxin to triiodothyronine, an iodine-containing hormone that is involved in all metabolic processes and has a significant effect on the functions of many organs. The drug is used in cases where thyroid function is significantly reduced.
The use of the medication is indicated after removal of the thyroid gland and with the growth of its tissue, when the function of the gland is not impaired. Sometimes a medicine is prescribed for people who have increased thyroid function, but first they perform therapy aimed at suppressing the secretion of iodine-containing hormones. In these patients, after the use of El-Thyroxine, the production of TSH, which is involved in the synthesis of thyroxine, is suppressed.
Drug release form, components
El Thyroxine is available in tablets. The active substance is sodium levothyroxine. The composition of the drug may contain a different amount of the main component, a suitable drug is prescribed by the doctor. Auxiliary ingredients are sodium starch glycolate, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, partial long chain glycerides, dextrin and microcrystalline cellulose. The composition of auxiliary ingredients may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics of El Thyroxine
The active component of the drug and thyroxine, the production of which occurs in the body, perform the same functions. "El-Thyroxine" helps to normalize metabolic processes, processes of development and growth. The effect of the drug is determined by the content of the active substance. The use of small doses of "El-Thyroxine" leads to the development of an anabolic effect, higher - to increase the need for cells and tissues in oxygen, stimulate oxidative processes, accelerate the metabolism and breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fats. In addition, in large doses, the drug activates the functions of the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system.
The medication begins to act approximately five days after the first application. For three to six months of continuous treatment, it is possible to get rid of diffuse goiter or reduce its size.
Absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine, as a result of taking tablets on an empty stomach is not more than 80%, when eating, it decreases. El Tyroxin binds well to plasma proteins, the instruction shows that the connection is almost 100%, therefore, neither hemodialysis nor hemoperfusion affect the drug.
The maximum concentration of the main component in the body is fixed five hours after the use of the drug. Partial drug withdrawal in patients occurs in different ways and depends on the level of hormones in the body.
With hypothyroidism, its removal is carried out in nine or ten days, with an euthyroid state - in six or seven, with thyrotoxicosis, elimination half-life proceeds most quickly - in three or four days.
About a third of the accepted dose of the main ingredient of the drug is deposited in the liver, while there is a rapid interaction with thyroxine, which is present in the blood. The formation of metabolites occurs after the use of El Thyroxine tablets. Instructions for use report that the metabolism of the main part of the drug is carried out in the brain, muscles, kidneys and liver. Excretion of metabolites is carried out by the intestines and kidneys.
Indications for the use of the drug "El-Thyroxine"
Substitution therapy based on the use of this drug is prescribed to patients with hypothyroid states of various etiologies, including hypothyroidism (primary, secondary) that arose after the operation, and conditions provoked by the use of drugs that incorporate radioactive iodine . "El-Thyroxine" instructions for use allows you to assign in such cases:
- cerebral pituitary diseases;
- congenital and acquired hypothyroidism;
- euthyroid goiter;
- Hashimoto's disease, Graves disease (complex treatment);
- obesity with symptoms of hypothyroidism or cretinism, accompanied by the same symptoms;
- euthyroid hyperplasia (combination treatment);
- nodular recurrent goiter after resection in the absence of impaired gland function (tablets are used as a preventive medication);
- malignant tumors (replacement and suppressive therapy);
- neoplasms, which are characterized as highly differentiated, hormone-dependent, are malignant.
The medication is used for diagnostic tests. Sometimes people take "El-Thyroxine" for weight loss in the absence of problems with the thyroid gland, but doctors do not approve of the use of the drug for this purpose.
Contraindications to the use of the drug "El-Thyroxine"
The medication is not prescribed for patients with sensitivity to its components. Contraindications include:
- myocardial infarction (acute stage);
- neglected hypocorticism or previously untreated thyrotoxicosis;
- inflammatory processes in the cardiac muscle of an acute nature;
- hereditary galactosemia;
- a syndrome in which intestinal absorption is impaired;
- lactase deficiency.
The drug is used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus, with severe hypothyroidism, which has not been treated for a long time, and with diseases associated with cardiovascular lesions:
- coronary heart disease;
- hypertension
- arrhythmia;
- myocardial infarction (history);
- atherosclerosis.
If the patient has some of the listed diseases, the dose of the drug is reduced or an analogue is selected.
Therapy
During the treatment with El-Thyroxine, doses are selected for each patient separately, taking into account the indications. Do not chew tablets, drink on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes. before eating food. Patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system and who have reached fifty-five years per 1 kg of weight are prescribed a maximum of 0.9 μg of the drug. The rest is shown from 1.6 mcg to 1.8. At the initial stage of treatment, the recommended doses of the drug for patients with hypothyroidism are as follows:
- Patients who have no problems with the cardiovascular system are prescribed from 75 mcg of the drug to 150, which corresponds to the daily dose.
- With cardiovascular lesions, as well as elderly patients, a drug of 25 mcg is prescribed. After two months, the dose is increased to 50 mcg. In the future, this indicator is changed at the same interval, increasing by 25 μg, until the optimal amount of the drug is determined and the TSH level is normalized.
How to take "El-Thyroxine" in different cases, you must find out from your doctor. If the condition of the vessels and heart worsens, it is necessary to reconsider the method of treating diseases of the cardiovascular system.
With congenital hypothyroidism , the dose of the drug is selected taking into account age. The smallest patients (up to 6 months) are prescribed from 25 μg of the drug, but not more than 50, the required daily dose is from 10 μg to 15 per kilogram. Children aged not more than 1 year are prescribed 50 mcg per kg. If the patient's age is in the range of one to five years, then the minimum dose corresponds to 75 mcg, but not more than 100 mcg. After six years (children under 12), it is permissible to use from 100 μg of the drug, not exceeding a dose of 150 μg. For other children, the desired dose is selected in the range from 100 μg to 200.
During therapy with the drug "El-Thyroxine", as reported in the instructions for use, children under three years old are given a daily dose of the drug. After taking the drug, feeding can be done in half an hour. In the treatment of young children, a solution prepared from tablets is used.
In most cases, people with hypothyroidism take the drug all their lives. Those with thyrotoxicosis, after the development of the euthyroid state, “Thyroxine” is advised to use together with antithyroid drugs for the period determined by the doctor.
The use of the drug for weight loss
To get rid of excess weight, use 50 μg of the drug per day. The daily dose is consumed in two doses, which must be carried out in the first half of the day. Together with El-Thyroxine, a β-blocker is taken in a dose selected on the basis of the pulse rate. In the future, it is allowed to increase the dose of “Thyroxine” to 150 mcg. The dose is increased gradually, after increasing the dose is divided into three times. In this case, the last appointment should be made no later than 18:00. They also increase the dose of β-blocker, the required amount of this drug is selected individually, in a calm state, the pulse should be in the range from 60 to 70 beats per minute.
Sometimes a dose reduction of El Thyroxine is required. Side effects indicate the need to cancel the drug or reduce its dose. The course should last about a month, do not take the medication for more than seven weeks.
You can not abruptly refuse to use the drug, it is canceled smoothly, gradually reducing the dose with an interval of two weeks. When diarrhea occurs, they additionally drink Loperamide, one or two capsules daily. You can repeat the course aimed at weight loss in three to four weeks or later.
Possible side effects
Some adverse reactions may occur during treatment with El Thyroxine. Side effects when using the medication in recommended doses are very rare. Due to increased appetite, weight may increase, hair may fall out, and kidney problems may occur. In children with epilepsy and an increased risk of developing seizures, the disease can be more severe if the established dose of Thyroxine is exceeded. When treating in large doses, there is a chance of developing symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Other side effects include anxiety, anxiety, tremor of the extremities, trouble sleeping, manifestations of arrhythmia and tachycardia. Weight loss and the development of diarrhea, the presence of vomiting can also be observed. Perhaps increased sweating, the presence of symptoms that accompany an attack of angina pectoris. In some patients, allergic dermatitis occurs. With the development of negative reactions of the body, reduce the dose of “Thyroxine” or temporarily discontinue the drug and later use a lower dose.
The combination of the drug with alcohol
Usually, a single dose of a small amount of alcohol of low strength does not have any effect on the effect of El Thyroxine. Reviews show that only those people who have no problems with blood vessels and heart can drink alcohol during the treatment period. In other cases, the combination of the drug with alcohol leads to undesirable consequences. Perhaps not only a decrease in the effectiveness of therapy, but also a violation of the liver, central nervous system.
Analogues of the drug "El-Thyroxine"
Of the structural analogues, instead of “El-Thyroxine”, “Eutirox” and “Bagotyrox” can be used. The most commonly chosen drug is Eutirox, which has similar indications, contraindications and dosage. From "El-Thyroxine" it differs only in the concentration of the active substance. If El Thyroxine is not suitable for patients, analogues are prescribed by a specialist taking into account the characteristics of the body.
Reviews on the drug "El-Thyroxine"
The reviews report that the drug, when used in low doses, promotes fat burning by accelerating metabolism, suppressing appetite and increasing calorie consumption. Β-blockers help to reduce the occurrence of side effects or prevent their development. Reviews show that many combine taking medication with such agents. Despite the fact that “Thyroxine” often helps to lose weight, it is not recommended to use it for weight loss. For healthy people, medication can be dangerous.
In the treatment of diseases associated with impaired thyroid function, the drug is mainly effective, which is confirmed by reviews. The described drug normalizes the balance of hormones, so patients feel better. There are also negative reviews, because side effects sometimes develop. Although the drug has the ability to cause a considerable number of negative reactions, it supports the thyroid gland, so that the body functions normally.
With the help of "El-Thyroxine" over time, you can get rid of thyroid diseases or reduce the severity of symptoms of the disease throughout life.