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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Levothyroxine

Systemic Hormonal Preparations

Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It is used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism), including a severe form known as myxedema coma.

Facts
Drug Class
Thyroid hormone medication 1
Mechanism of Action
Serves as a prohormone that converts to triiodothyronine (T3), which binds thyroid receptor proteins in cell nuclei to regulate DNA transcription and protein synthesis. 1
Approved Use
Treats thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism), including myxedema coma. 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1927 1
Significant Risk
Excessive doses can cause weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, tremor and fast heart rate. 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
H: Systemic Hormonal Preparations, Excluding Sex Hormones and Insulins 2
Route of Administration
Intravenous 3
WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account
Core List 4
Connections

Treats

Hypothyroidism, Conditions
Source Levothyroxine (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Levothyroxine (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism), including a severe form known as myxedema coma
  • Infobox, drug class
    Thyroid hormone medication
  • Mechanism of action section
    T3 binds to thyroid receptor proteins in cell nuclei
  • History section
    first synthesized in 1927 by British chemists Charles Robert Harington and George Barger
  • Adverse effects section
    Side effects from excessive doses include weight loss, trouble tolerating heat, sweating, anxiety, trouble sleeping, tremor, and fast heart rate
  • Regulatory approval status
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code H
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code H
Systemic hormonal preparations, excluding sex hormones and insulins
View the Source
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levothyroxine, lead section
Quote, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levothyroxine, lead section
ght loss. Levothyroxine is taken orally (by mouth) or given by intravenous injection. Levothyroxine has a half-life of 7.5 days when taken daily, so about six weeks is required for it to reach a steady level in the blood.
View the Source
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines section
Quote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines section
Levothyroxine
View the Source
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