The drug "El-thyroxine": instructions for use, analogues, reviews

The drug "El-thyroxine" is a synthetic hormone of the thyroid gland, an analog of the natural thyroxine. After taking the drug, a partial conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine, an iodine-containing hormone, takes part in all metabolic processes and has a significant effect on the functions of many organs. The drug is used in cases when the thyroid function is significantly reduced.

The use of medication is indicated after the removal of the thyroid gland and the proliferation of its tissue, when the function of the gland is not broken. Sometimes the medicine is prescribed to people who have increased thyroid function, but first they perform therapy aimed at suppressing the secretion of iodine-containing hormones. In such patients, after the application of "El-thyroxine", the process of producing TSH, which participates in the synthesis of thyroxine, is suppressed.

Form of release of medicine, components

"El-thyroxine" is available in tablets. The active substance is levothyroxine sodium. The composition of the drug may be different amounts of the main component, a suitable medicine is prescribed by the doctor. The auxiliary ingredients are sodium starch glycolate, calcium hydrophosphate dihydrate, partial long chain glycerides, dextrin and microcrystalline cellulose. For different manufacturers, the composition of the auxiliary ingredients may vary slightly.

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" contributes to the normalization of metabolic processes, development and growth processes. The action 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 anabolic effect, higher - to the increase in the need for cells and tissues in oxygen, stimulation of oxidative processes, acceleration of metabolism and cleavage of carbohydrates, proteins, fats. In addition, in large doses, the drug activates the functions of the central nervous system, cardiovascular system.

The medication begins to act about five days after the first application. For three to six months of continuous treatment, you can 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 no more than 80%, while eating decreases. It binds well to plasma proteins "El-thyroxine", the instruction shows that the connection is almost 100%, so the drug is not affected by hemodialysis or hemoperfusion.

The maximum concentration of the main component in the body is fixed five hours after the use of the drug. Partial elimination of the drug in patients occurs in different ways and depends on the level of the hormones in the gland in the body.

With hypothyroidism, it is removed in nine or ten days, with the euthyroid state in six or seven, with thyrotoxicosis, half-elimination occurs most rapidly - in three or four days.

About a third of the dose of the main ingredient of the drug is deposited in the liver, with a rapid interaction with the thyroxine, which is present in the blood. There is a formation of metabolites after the use of "El Tyroxin" tablets. Instruction for use reports that the metabolism of the main part of the drug is carried out in the brain, muscles, kidneys and liver. Excretion of metabolites is made by the intestine and kidneys.

Indications for the use of the drug "El-thyroxine"

Substitution therapy based on the use of this drug is prescribed for patients with hypothyroid conditions of different etiology, including hypothyroidism (primary, secondary) that have arisen after the operation, and conditions triggered by the reception of funds that contain radioactive iodine . "El-thyroxin" instruction for use allows you to appoint in such cases:

• Cerebral-pituitary diseases;
• Hypothyroidism congenital and acquired;
• Euthyroid goiter;
• Hashimoto disease, Graves disease (treatment in the complex);
• Obesity with symptoms of hypothyroidism or cretinism, accompanied by the same signs;
• Euthyroid hyperplasia (combined treatment);
• Nodal recurrent goiter after performing a resection in the absence of violations of the gland function (tablets are used as a preventive medicine);
• Malignant tumors (substitution and suppressive therapy);
• Neoplasms that are characterized as highly differentiated, hormone-dependent, have a malignant character.

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 taking the drug "El-thyroxine"

Medication is not prescribed to patients with sensitivity to its components. Contraindications include:

• Myocardial infarction (acute stage);
• Started hypocorticism or untreated thyrotoxicosis;
• Inflammatory processes in the cardiac muscle of an acute nature;
• Hereditary galactosemia;
• A syndrome in which intestinal absorption is impaired;
• Lactase insufficiency.

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:

• Ischemic 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 analog is selected.

Therapy

During the treatment with "El-thyroxine", doses are selected for each patient separately, taking into account the indications. Tablets are not chewed, they drink on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes. Before eating. Patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system who reached the age of fifty-five years for 1 kg of weight are prescribed a maximum of 0.9 μg of the drug. The rest is shown from 1.6 μg to 1.8. At the initial stage of treatment, the recommended doses of medication for patients with hypothyroidism are as follows:

• Patients who have no problems with the cardiovascular system are prescribed from 75 μg of the drug to 150, which corresponds to a daily dose.
• With cardiovascular lesions, as well as elderly patients, the drug is prescribed in the amount of 25 μg. Two months later, the dose increases to 50 mcg. In the future, this indicator is changed with the same interval, increasing by 25 μg, until the optimal amount of the drug is determined and the level of TSH is not normalized.

How to take "El-thyroxine" in different cases, you need to check with your doctor. If the condition of the vessels and the heart worsens, it is necessary to reconsider the way of treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

With hypothyroidism of an innate character, the dose of the drug is selected taking into account the age. The smallest patients (up to 6 months) are prescribed from 25 μg of medication, but not more than 50, the necessary daily dose is from 10 μg to 15 per kilogram. Children aged no more than 1 year are prescribed 50 μg per kg. If the patient's age ranges from one to five years, the minimum dose corresponds to 75 μg, but not more than 100 μg. After six years (children under 12) it is permissible to use from 100 μg of the drug, not exceeding the dose of 150 μg. For other children, the desired dose is selected from 100 μg to 200.

During therapy with the drug "El-thyroxine", as reported in the instructions for use, children under three years of a daily dose of funds given once. After taking the drug, feeding can be done in half an hour. When treating small children, use a solution prepared from tablets.

In most cases, people with hypothyroidism take the drug for life. For those with thyrotoxicosis, after the development of the euthyroid state, "thyroxin" is advised to be used together with antithyroid remedies during the period determined by the doctor.

Application of the drug for weight loss

To get rid of excess weight, use 50 μg of funds per day. The daily dose is used for two doses, which must be carried out in the morning. Together with the drug "El-thyroxine" take a β-blocker in a dose, selected based on the pulse rate. Further, an increase in the dose of "thyroxine" to 150 mcg is permitted. The dose is increased gradually, after its increase, the funds are divided into three times. In this case, the last reception should be made no later than 18:00. 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 of 60 to 70 beats per minute.

Sometimes a reduction in the dose of El Tyroxin 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 medicine for more than seven weeks.

You can not abruptly abandon the use of the drug, it is canceled smoothly, gradually reducing the dose at intervals of two weeks. When diarrhea occurs, the Loperamide supplement is taken one or two capsules daily. Repeat the course aimed at reducing weight, you can in three to four weeks or later.

Possible side effects

Some unwanted reactions may appear during the treatment with the drug "El-thyroxine". Side effects when using medicament in recommended doses occur very rarely. Because of increased appetite, weight may increase, hair may drop out, and kidney problems may occur. In children with epilepsy and an increased risk of seizures, the disease can be more severe if the prescribed dose of "thyroxine" is exceeded. When treated in large doses, there is a possibility of developing symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Other side effects include anxiety, anxiety, tremors in the limbs, sleep problems, arrhythmia and tachycardia. There may also be weight loss and development of diarrhea, the presence of vomiting. Perhaps increased sweating, the presence of symptoms, accompanied by an attack of angina pectoris. Some patients experience allergic dermatitis. When developing negative reactions of the body, reduce the dose of "thyroxine" or temporarily abolish the drug and later use a smaller dose.

Combination of medicinal product with alcohol

Usually a single intake of a small amount of alcohol of low strength does not have any effect on the action of the drug "El-thyroxine". The reviews show that only those people who have no problems with blood vessels and heart can use 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, CNS.

Analogues of the drug "El-thyroxine"

From structural analogues instead of "El-thyroxine" can be used "Eutiroks", "Bagotiroks." 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 Tyroxin is not suitable for patients, the analogs are prescribed by a specialist taking into account the characteristics of the organism.

Reviews about the drug "El-thyroxine"

In the reviews, it is reported that the drug, when used in low doses, promotes fat burning by accelerating metabolism, suppressing appetite and increasing caloric intake. To reduce the occurrence of side effects or prevent their development, beta-blockers help. The reviews show that many people combine the medication with these drugs. 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 generally effective, which is confirmed by the reviews. The described agent normalizes the balance of hormones, so that patients feel better. There are also negative reviews, because sometimes side effects develop. Although the drug has the ability to cause a lot of negative reactions, it supports the thyroid gland, due to which the body functions normally.

With the help of "El-thyroxine" over time, you can get rid of thyroid diseases or reduce the severity of the symptoms of ailment throughout life.