• Basic Info
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• Interactions

Before taking a thyroid, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• an antacid that contains aluminum or calcium or sucralfate (Carafate) (these medications should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones);

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid) (these medications should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones);

• an iron supplement and vitamins with iron (these should be taken at least 4 hours apart from thyroid hormones);

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as acarbose (Precose), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), metformin (Glucophage), and others;

• an estrogen replacement product such as Premarin, Estrace, Estratab, Ogen, Climara, Fempatch, and others;

• birth control pills; or

• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl), and others.

You may require a dosage adjustment, special dosing instructions such as not taking certain medicines at the same time as thyroid hormones, or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Many drugs can interact with thyroid or can be affected by your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects, stop taking thyroid and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• vomiting; or

• chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or shortness of breath.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take thyroid and talk to your doctor if you experience

• tremor, nervousness, or irritability;

• headache;

• insomnia;

• diarrhea, changes in appetite, or weight loss;

• leg cramps;

• menstrual irregularities; or

• fever, sweating, or heat sensitivity.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.