The best analogue of Eutirox: drug comparison and review

In the treatment of diseases associated with insufficient production of hormones necessary for humans by the thyroid gland, Eutirox is most often used. However, there are many other drugs of a similar composition, sometimes cheaper in cost, but having the same therapeutic effect. What analogue of Eutirox can be considered the best, we will try to determine by comparing the drugs and taking into account the reviews of patients.

Thyroid and hormone deficiency

The thyroid gland plays a very important role in the human body. Thanks to the hormones and active substances it produces, it affects the functioning of many systems. Iron produces two types of hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Their effect on the body is very multifaceted:

• increased tissue oxygen demand;
• strengthening energy processes;
• stimulation of tissue growth;
• effect on the state of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• effect on the functioning of the kidneys, liver and other organs;
• increased absorption of glucose, etc.

The hormone triiodothyronine is more active (3-5 times) than thyroxine; synthetic analogues of thyroxine (sodium levothyroxine) and triothyronine are widely used in medicine.

The drug "Eutiroks" is an analogue of thyroxin produced by a healthy thyroid gland in humans. In the treatment of thyroid diseases, these drugs are prescribed with an insufficient level of production of their hormones. At the same time, to eliminate iodine deficiency in the body, it is additionally recommended to take potassium iodide.

"Eutiroks": analogues, instructions for use

"Eutirox" is a drug containing sodium levothyroxine, that is, a synthetic thyroid hormone. Its composition also includes additional substances: corn starch, lactose monohydrate, gelatin, etc.

Eutirox tablets come in various dosages depending on the content of the active substance: from 25 to 150 mcg with an interval of 25 mcg. Recently, the company also produces tablets in non-standard dosages of 88, 112, 137 μg - they are intended for patients with high sensitivity to the active substance. The package contains 2 or 4 blisters of 25 pieces each. The drug is available in Germany.

Admission rules: tablets should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, 1 time per day half an hour before meals. Chewing tablets is not recommended, drink water (1/2 cup). Prescribing hormone-containing preparations can only be performed by the attending endocrinologist after taking blood tests for thyrotropin (TSH), ultrasound and the patient’s well-being.

The most widely used thyroid hormone replacement drugs are Eutirox, L-Thyroxine, L-Tirok and others.

The effect of the drug on the body

The most important effect of such drugs on the body is to compensate for the deficiency of the thyroxine hormone. Eutirox tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, because food reduces the amount of levothyroxine absorbed. After absorption, monodeiodination occurs in human tissues and triiodothyronine is formed. Thyroidin hormones are metabolized through the liver, kidneys, muscles and brain.

The active substances of Eutirox affect tissue growth and general metabolism in the body. The therapeutic effect is manifested after 7-10 days and may remain the same time when the drug is canceled.

Indications for taking the drug are such diseases:

• hypothyroidism;
• euthyroid goiter;
• thyroid cancer (prescribed after surgery);
• for the treatment and prevention of exacerbation of the disease after surgery;
• diffuse toxic goiter.

Features of the use of drugs during pregnancy

While waiting for a child, it is usually recommended to increase the dose of Eutirox (analogues of the drug). For the treatment of hyperthyroidism, a combination of drugs containing levothyroxine and antithyroid drugs can be prescribed . It should be borne in mind that high doses of antithyroid drugs, penetrating the placenta, can adversely affect the baby and subsequently cause health problems for the newborn.

During breastfeeding, thyroxine preparations should be drunk with caution, since the medicine may enter the baby’s body with milk. However, when the medicine is consumed in the required therapeutic dosage prescribed by the doctor, the level of the hormone in breast milk usually does not contribute to the development of hyperthyroidism in the baby.

Reception of Eutiroks and analogues by children

All preparations containing thyroid hormones can be prescribed to child patients from birth. The initial dosage after testing should be prescribed by the attending physician. Usually a small initial dose is prescribed - 12.5-50 micrograms, for small newborn babies - 25-50 micrograms. Also, the doctor takes into account the body weight of the child when appointing.

Children eating breast milk should receive the medicine half an hour before the first morning feeding, for this, the tablet immediately before use should be dissolved in water and given with a small amount of liquid. The drug should be given regularly, the duration of treatment is determined by the endocrinologist.

If one of the methods is skipped, then, regardless of the reason, the next time you can not give a large dosage - in the future, drink the medicine in the usual dosage.

One of the disadvantages of Eutirox when administered to children: a medicine can worsen the condition of a small patient who has a history of epilepsy and other similar diseases. In such a situation, the medication should be stopped and seek the help of specialists. When taking the drug in children, short-term hair loss occurs, other adverse reactions are possible.

The drug "L-Thyroxine" ("Berlin-Chemie")

This drug is the main analogue of Eutirox, one of the most widely used by patients. Contains sodium levothyroxine and excipients. Refers to synthetic isomers of levorotatory thyroxine.

The drug can be used in children from birth, in adults with diseases associated with a lack of thyroxine hormone.

The medicine is produced by the Berlin-Chemie AG company (Menarini Group, Germany), and is available in the dosage of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mcg.

Probable negative reactions of the body when taking "L-Thyroxine":

• allergy symptoms;
• hair loss;
• loss of appetite;
• change in body weight of the patient;
• some deviations in the work of the kidneys.

Other analogues of foreign production

“L-Thyrox Euro” - an analogue of “Eutirox”, is produced in India (Biodil laboratory). There are only two dosages of tablets: 50 and 100 mcg, which is not very convenient for patients.

The effect of the drug and its administration are similar to all drugs containing sodium levothyroxine. In case of an overdose, unpleasant symptoms can be observed:

• palpitations and increased heart rate;
• increased sweating;
• tremor and insomnia;
• angina attacks;
• allergic reactions: urticaria, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, up to anaphylactic shock.

With such manifestations, you should stop taking the drug and make the necessary examinations: blood tests, ultrasound, etc.

Bagothyrox is an analogue of Argentina production containing the active substance levothyroxine sodium. Dosage of tablets: 50, 100, 150 mcg (tablets differ in color).

Tivoral - a drug containing levothyroxine sodium and excipients is produced in Serbia and Montenegro (Belgrade), dosage of 100 mcg. Caution should be used in people with lactose intolerance or lactose deficiency.

"Iodocomb" (Berlin-Chemie, Germany) - contains, in addition to sodium levothyroxine (dosage of 50 and 75 μg), another 150 μg of potassium iodide. Iodine is an ingredient necessary for the normal hormonal synthesis of the thyroid gland. The daily need for iodine intake in the patient’s body usually lies in the range of 100-250 mcg. Contraindicated in children under 18 years of age. It should be taken with caution in patients over the age of 65, with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease (including myocardial infarction), epilepsy.

Analogs of Russian production

Consider what drugs have an active component - sodium levothyroxine, like Eutirox. Analogues in Russia of this medicine, as a rule, have a price 2-3 times less than imported drugs.

These are such medicines:

• “L-Thyroxine-Acre” - a cheaper analogue of “Eutirox” is produced by Akrikhin (Russia). The package contains 50 tablets, the active substance is similar;
• L-Thyroxine (Ozone, Russia) - manufactured by the Ozone company, in a dosage of 50 and 100 mcg;
• Levothyroxine sodium, Tyro-4, Thyroxin-Farmak, etc.

Contraindications and side effects of drugs containing sodium levothyroxine

Contraindications are:

• individual intolerance and a possible allergic reaction to the active substance;
• untreated thyrotoxicosis;
• pituitary insufficiency that has not been treated;
• adrenal insufficiency in a patient who has not been treated;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system: myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis;
• high blood pressure;
• diabetes;
• severe hypothyroidism, which was previously determined for a long time.

As the reviews left by patients about the Eutirox drug testify, side effects (thyroxine analogs also fall under this rule) are usually insignificant :.

• as a rule, the drug is taken for a long time and is well tolerated;
• allergic reactions can occur with high sensitivity to thyroxine;
• adverse side effects are possible only with an overdose.

In women who have reached menopause who have hypothyroidism, the risk of osteoporosis should be considered. In this regard, the function of the thyroid gland should be monitored in order to avoid exceeding the level of levothyroxine in the blood, which may be higher than the physiologically necessary level.

Overdose symptoms

With thyrotoxicosis, which can happen due to taking a high dose of the drug, the following symptoms may be observed:

• increased heart rate and heart rhythm disturbance;
• pain in the heart;
• tremor (trembling) of the limbs;
• anxiety, sleep disturbances;
• high sweating;
• decreased appetite and, as a consequence, a decrease in the patient’s weight;
• menstrual irregularities;
• indigestion (diarrhea).

In order to reduce the negative manifestation of an overdose of the Eutirox drug, the dose of its administration (daily) should be reduced or a break for several days should be taken. In a difficult situation, the doctor may prescribe a course of beta-blockers.

When side effects disappear, then treatment should be continued, but with a lower dose of medication.

Differences in preparations containing levothyroxine

Different patients perceive taking levothyroxine sodium in different ways. The opinions of doctors in answering such a question are also different.

As evidenced by the available information about the Eutirox drug (instructions for use, reviews), its analogues, such as L-Thyroxine and others, have a majority of positive effects on the patient’s body, and the way they are used is the same.

Probable reasons for the different effects of drugs:

• improper medication;
• wrong dosage;
• the drug does not contain the necessary substances (counterfeit);
• improper storage conditions;
• individual perception of additional substances.

Differences in dosage and drug components

All of these preparations contain the same active ingredient, however, the method for synthesizing the substance itself may vary. Therefore, the degree of activity of the active substance in various drugs may differ.

Also various auxiliary substances that are part of the drugs:

Excipients can vary in speed of absorption of the main component into the walls of the stomach and intestines, however, these differences are small.

Reviews about the drug "Eutiroks" and its analogues

Patients, as a rule, take Eutiroks, analogues, for a long time and even for life. Their reviews are mostly positive, because drugs containing levothyroxine sodium help the body make up for the lack of thyroid hormones. Therefore, the use of such drugs has a positive effect, allows you to stabilize the hormonal balance in the patient’s body and improve their well-being.

An allergic reaction to such drugs is very rare, most often it is a rash, skin itching, slight swelling. If it turns out that the patient does not tolerate the drug of a particular manufacturer, then the attending physician recommends replacing it with a similar one. As can be seen from the list of Eutirox analogues, the choice of drugs with almost the same effect is very diverse, so each patient has the opportunity to choose the best for himself.