The NHS has issued a warning to anyone taking levothyroxine to treat their thyroid condition.
With millions of prescriptions for levothyroxine given out worldwide, the drug is one of the most commonly prescribed medications by the NHS.
Levothyroxine is often used to treat an underactive thyroid gland, medically known as hypothyroidism.
It is usually prescribed as a tablet or as a liquid that the patient swallows, depending on what the doctor thinks is more appropriate.
Although levothyroxine can be effective in treating an underactive thyroid in most cases, the NHS has warned that some people should not be prescribed it.
This can be for several reasons, including that the drug increases the risk of complications from other health problems an individual might have.
The NHS website states: “Levothyroxine can be taken by most adults and children, but it is not suitable for some people.”
According to their guidelines, you may not be able to use levothyroxine if any of the following apply:
- You have a heart problem, including angina, heart disease or heart failure
- You have a health problem that affects your adrenal glands
- You have previously had a heart attack
- You have an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone
- You have diabetes
- You have previously had an allergic reaction to levothyroxine or another medicine
- You have high blood pressure
