Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Liothyronine is a synthetic thyroid hormone that is similar to the thyroid hormone found naturally in the body.

It can be used to reduce symptoms such as weight gain, feeling tired, or low mood in people with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and produces too little thyroid hormone.

Liothyronine may be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Liothyronine is recommended to be taken half to one hour before food.
• Take your medication according to the instructions stated on the medication label.
• Do not stop taking or adjust the dose of this medication without checking with your doctor.
• Do check with your doctor on how long you will have to be on this medication.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if more than half of the time to the next dose has passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing.
• For example, for a medication to be taken two times daily at 8am and 8pm, and you missed your first dose at 8am, skip the first dose if it is after 2pm, and take your second dose at the usual timing at 8pm. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
• You are taking any other medications (including those that can be bought without a prescription), supplements, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal products. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
• You have or have ever had:
  • Other drug allergies
  • Heart diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone
  • Adrenal insufficiency, a condition where the body does not produce enough steroid hormones

What are some common side effects of this medication?

The mentioned side effects generally affect up to 10% of patients.

• Difficulty sleeping
  • Discuss with your doctor if you can take your medication at a different time of the day
  • Listen to relaxing music at bedtime
  • Avoid eating or drinking too much before bedtime
  • Limit your caffeine intake (such as coffee, tea or energy drinks) at least 8 hours before bedtime
• Hair loss
  • May occur during the first few months of treatment but is usually temporary

Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your doctor if any of them continues, worsens or affects your daily life.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Rarely this medication may cause:

• Seizures (fits)
• Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, weight loss, feeling warm or excessive sweating, increased appetite, headache and feeling irritable (signs and symptoms of too much thyroid hormone or hyperthyroidism)

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid food, drinks, medications, or supplements that are high in calcium, iron or magnesium two to four hours before and after taking Liothyronine.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

What else should I know about this medication?

There are certain restrictions in the supply of Liothyronine, as it is not available in community/retail pharmacies and is only available in selected healthcare institutions via prescription from in-house doctors. Please check with your healthcare provider if they are able to supply it.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Mar 2023