c. Emergency Medical Treatment, Surgery, or Dental Surgery. If the patient
requires any emergency medical treatment, surgery, or dental surgery, the physician or
dentist in charge should be told that the patient is taking thyroid medication.
d. Over-The-Counter Medications. Patients who take thyroid medications
should be told not to take any other drug(s) unless the prescribing physician knows
about the drug(s). The category of drugs includes over-the-counter medications. This
is especially true of over-the-counter cold, cough, and appetite suppressant
medications.
7-7.
THYROID PREPARATIONS
You will see a variety of thyroid preparations in the pharmacy. Some of the
medications you may dispense are discussed below.
a. Thyroid, USP. Thyroid, USP, is prepared from the thyroid glands of
domesticated animals. Once the thyroid gland is obtained from the slaughtered animal,
the gland is cleaned, dried, and powdered. Thyroid, USP, contains both the T3 and T4
hormone. This preparation is used in the treatment of hypo-thyroidism. The dosage of
this product must be tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient. Side effects
associated with this agent include changes in appetite, chest pain, diarrhea, and hand
tremors.
b. Levothyroxine (Synthroid). Levothyroxine is a synthetic source of the T4
hormone. Once taken, approximately 30 percent of the levothyroxine is converted to
the T3 hormone. Levothyroxine is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Like
Thyroid, USP, the dosage of levothyroxine must be individualized to meet the patient's
needs. The usual dosage prescribed is from 0.1 milligram to 0.2 milligram taken daily in
a single dose. Side effects associated with this agent include changes in appetite,
chest pain, diarrhea, and hand tremors.
c. Sodium Liothyronine (Cytomel). Liothyronine is a synthetic source of the
T3 hormone. This product is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism and male sterility
due to hypothyroidism. As with the other thyroid preparations, the dosage of this
product must be tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient. The dose usually
prescribed is 25 to 50 micrograms daily in a single dose. Changes in appetite, chest
pain, diarrhea, and hand tremors are side effects usually associated with this agent.
d. Liotrix (Euthroid). Liotrix is a synthetic source of both T3 and T4 hormones.
Liotrix is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. The dosage of this product must be
tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient. Side effects associated with this
product include changes in appetite, chest pain, diarrhea, and hand tremors.
MD0807
7-5