Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Liothyronine should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for the purpose of losing weight. This medicine is ineffective for weight reduction and when taken in larger amounts, may cause more serious unwanted effects.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, difficulty with breathing, heat intolerance, nervousness, leg cramps, headache, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives, or skin rash. These could be symptoms of too much medicine in your body.

This medicine may cause severe hypothyroidism, called myxedema coma, which may be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: weakness, confusion or non-responsiveness, feeling cold, low body temperature, swelling of the body, especially the face, tongue, and lower legs, or difficulty breathing.

For patients with diabetes: It is very important that you keep track of your blood or urine sugar levels as instructed by your doctor. Check with your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your sugar levels.

If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. You may need a larger dose of liothyronine while you are pregnant.

Women who are post-menopausal or who use this medicine for a long time may have some bone loss, which could lead to osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about this.

A temporary loss of hair may occur during the first few months of liothyronine treatment. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you or your child are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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