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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
FDA changes label/adverse effects of Synthroid
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
FDA changes label/adverse effects of Synthroid
by Still_Hoping, Aug 27, 2005 12:00AM
I was looking up synthroid recently due to all the complains on this forum about this drug. Although in my drug book palps and increased HR (tachy/arrythmias) are noted as side effects of ALL the drugs to treat thyroid disease, it notes that 'normally' they are found in overdose of the drug (my interpretation: the TSH drops too low for your body thereby pushing you into hyper state), not usual dosage. As DrMark noted earlier some are sensitive to this drug and need very slow titration (advancement) of the drug. I did note that hypersensitivity was one of the adverse reactions to these drugs listed.
What my 2004 drug book does *not* list as a side effect/adverse reaction however is trouble swallowing (dysphagia). However - I have seen many folks on here wondering if their treatment is causing their throat pressure/choking (and even, their hair loss!) so I looked this drug up on the net.
Here is what I have found thus far: I have yet to find any source saying hair loss is a side effect of these drugs. DrMark - have you heard of the treatments being inducers of hair loss?
What I *did* find interesting, however, is when I visited the FDA drug site, where they have a site called Medwatch, therein they list recalls, and warnings and label changes and such. For Levo/Synthroid (and I do not know about other forms of thryroid drugs), they HAVE just (this year) changed a requirement for the label under adverse reactions to *include dysphagia* (trouble swallowing).
DrMark - do you have any comments on this new adverse reaction the FDA has on Synthroid/Levo?
What my 2004 drug book does *not* list as a side effect/adverse reaction however is trouble swallowing (dysphagia). However - I have seen many folks on here wondering if their treatment is causing their throat pressure/choking (and even, their hair loss!) so I looked this drug up on the net.
Here is what I have found thus far: I have yet to find any source saying hair loss is a side effect of these drugs. DrMark - have you heard of the treatments being inducers of hair loss?
What I *did* find interesting, however, is when I visited the FDA drug site, where they have a site called Medwatch, therein they list recalls, and warnings and label changes and such. For Levo/Synthroid (and I do not know about other forms of thryroid drugs), they HAVE just (this year) changed a requirement for the label under adverse reactions to *include dysphagia* (trouble swallowing).
DrMark - do you have any comments on this new adverse reaction the FDA has on Synthroid/Levo?
Interesting. So for those of you wish unexplained swallowing in addition to seeing your ENTs and such you may want to make sure you are taking your med with a full glass of water...
Dr. Mark - I am wondering why they don't enteric coat this drug (and those like it) to prevent it being caught in the throat. It probably slows the release down a bit, but... I have to wonder why they don't do it that way. Any thoughts?
Thanks for any info....
The hair loss (i think) was reported because it's a common symptom of hypothyroid and hairloss will often lag 2-3 months behing the inciting event. Also hormone fluctuations could cause hair loss and in turn correcting the hypo may cause transient problems with hair loss. It's not unique to synthroid.