This prescription has been compounded by Physicians Preference Pharmacy on physician’s orders.

DRUG:

T3, Tri-iodothyronine, is the most active thyroid hormone.  T4, levothyroxine, is a thyroid hormone.

USE:

T3/T4 is used to treat conditions of low thyroid.  It is important for normal energy and metabolism.

DIRECTIONS:

Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.  Take this medication at the same time each day whenever possible. Thyroid hormone is usually taken in the morning to prevent insomnia at night. Follow your doctor’s instructions.  Do not stop taking this medication for any reason without talking to your doctor first. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better. Once you start feeling better, do not stop taking thyroid hormone. You will probably need to take this medicine for the rest of your life.   Changes in blood sugar may occur if you have diabetes, and special monitoring may be necessary.

Other drugs may bind to thyroid hormone and reduce the amount that is available in your body, making it less effective. Separate thyroid hormone doses from the following medicines: antacids that contain aluminum; the prescription ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); the cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid); calcium supplementsand ferrous sulfate (a type of iron supplement). Levothyroxine is in the FDA pregnancy category A. This means that levothyroxine is safe for use during pregnancy. It is also safe to take thyroid hormones if you are breast-feeding a baby. This drug does pass into breast milk, but it will not harm a nursing infant

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking thyroid hormone and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); vomiting; or chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take thyroid hormone and talk to your doctor  if you experience tremor, nervousness, or irritability; headache; insomnia; diarrhea, changes in appetite, or weight loss; leg cramps; menstrual irregularities; or fever, sweating, or heat sensitivity.

MISSED DOSE:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.  However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

STORAGE:

Upon receipt, store at controlled room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

DESCRIPTION:

Clear capsule with white powder or a white, round sublingual tablet.

DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICATION:

Contact the pharmacy for instructions on how to safely dispose of unused medication.  Do not flush unused medication or pour down sink or drain.

Note: If the brand of your thyroid medication changes and you experience a return of low thyroid symptoms or unusual symptoms, contact your doctor’s office to see if a dose adjustment is necessary.