Liothyronine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Liothyronine Tablet (Liothyronine Sodium) is a man-made version of the thyroid hormone T3, used when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone on its own. It is a thyroid drug prescribed for hypothyroidism, goiter, and certain thyroid cancer treatment plans, as well as for a diagnostic thyroid test. It works quickly, reaching full effect within a few days, and must be taken exactly as prescribed with regular thyroid monitoring.

What is Liothyronine Tablet

Liothyronine is a man-made version of a hormone (called T3 or triiodothyronine) that is normally made by the thyroid gland to control the body's energy use and metabolism. It is given when the thyroid does not make enough of this hormone on its own.

Liothyronine Tablet uses

• Treating mild to severe hypothyroidism (when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone)
• Treating enlarged thyroid gland (simple, non-toxic goiter)
• Used with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy in people with thyroid cancer
• Used as part of a medical test (T3 suppression test) to check for thyroid disorders

Benefits of Liothyronine Tablet

• Replaces T3 thyroid hormone
• Helps treat hypothyroidism
• Supports normal metabolism and energy regulation
• May improve symptoms caused by inadequate thyroid hormone
• Can be used for selected forms of thyroid-hormone replacement therapy

How Liothyronine Tablet works

Liothyronine supplies the body with thyroid hormone (T3). It works quickly and reaches its full effect within a few days. At normal levels it helps control protein production, metabolism, and use of oxygen and energy in the body's cells.

Liothyronine Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. It is usually taken once a day; you do not need to split the daily dose. If you are switching from another thyroid medicine, your doctor will have you stop the other medicine before starting this one. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well — you may need it for life. Your thyroid function will need to be checked regularly with blood tests, even if you have no symptoms.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you are taking this medicine, since you may need to stop it for a short time. Do not switch brands or switch to a generic version without asking your doctor first, since different products may not work exactly the same. Older adults are usually given lower doses and may be more sensitive to this medicine.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day; if you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (oral)

Side effects of Liothyronine Tablet

Common

• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Heat intolerance
• Fever
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Hyperactivity
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Emotional lability
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Tremors
• Muscle weakness
• Menstrual irregularities
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Rash

Serious

• Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular or fast heartbeats)
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Palpitations
• Increased pulse and blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Decreased bone mineral density (osteoporosis risk)
• Allergic skin reactions
• Severe allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Confusion
• Severe headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, pain behind the eyes
• Seizure
• In children or teens: pain, stiffness, and trouble moving the legs

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should never be used to treat obesity or for weight loss. In people with normal thyroid function, doses used for weight loss do not work, and larger doses can cause serious or life-threatening effects, especially if combined with certain weight-loss stimulant drugs.
• This medicine should not be used in people with uncontrolled adrenal gland underactivity or in people who have just had a heart attack.
• This medicine has a narrow safety margin, so careful dose adjustment is needed to avoid giving too much or too little, which can affect growth, heart function, bone health, reproduction, mood, and digestion.
• Because this medicine stimulates metabolism, it is generally not recommended for people with heart problems such as angina or reduced blood flow to the heart, including many elderly patients. If it must be used, the starting dose should be very low and increased slowly.
• People with adrenal insufficiency related to autoimmune conditions must be treated with replacement steroids before starting this medicine, otherwise it could trigger a sudden adrenal crisis.
• Long-term use, especially at higher-than-needed doses, can reduce bone density, particularly in women after menopause.
• Do not switch brands or switch between brand and generic without talking to your doctor, since different products of this medicine may not work exactly the same way.
• Thyroid hormones do not easily cross into the baby through the placenta, and current experience has not shown harm to babies when pregnant women take thyroid hormone. 
• Women on this medicine should not stop treatment during pregnancy, and thyroid levels should be checked periodically during pregnancy and after delivery.
• Small amounts of this medicine pass into breast milk, so caution is advised while breastfeeding.
• This medicine is removed from the body mainly by the kidneys, so people with reduced kidney function, including many elderly patients, may have a higher risk of side effects and should have their dose chosen carefully with monitoring.
• There are no known interactions between this medicine and alcohol.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15-30°C), away from heat, light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor if you have signs of too much thyroid hormone, such as chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat, feeling hot or nervous, or sweating more than usual.
• Call your doctor right away if you have weak or shallow breathing, confusion, feeling cold all the time, changes in weight or appetite, chest pressure spreading to the jaw or shoulder, feeling like you might faint, severe headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, pain behind the eyes, a seizure, or in children/teens, leg pain, stiffness, or trouble walking.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get medical help immediately, even if there are no symptoms yet.

Alternatives

• Levothyroxine