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Advice to Patients

• Importance of understanding the need to continue levothyroxine therapy for life, unless transient hypothyroidism is suspected.
• Importance of taking levothyroxine exactly as prescribed; take Levoxyl^® with a full glass of water. Do not alter regimen or discontinue therapy unless directed by a clinician.
• Risk of transient hair loss. Importance of immediately informing a clinician if rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives or skin rash, or any other unusual medical event occurs.
• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs and herbal supplements, as well as any concomitant illnesses (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, clotting disorders, adrenal or pituitary gland problems).
• In patients with diabetes mellitus, importance of monitoring blood and/or urinary glucose levels and immediately reporting any changes to a clinician. In patients receiving concomitant anticoagulant therapy, importance of monitoring clotting status frequently.
• Importance of women informing their clinician if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed. Dosage may need to be increased during pregnancy.
• Importance of informing physician or dentist of current levothyroxine therapy prior to any surgery.
• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2008, Selected Revisions August 2005. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.