What is Synthroid?
According to the WHO statistics, over 200 million people suffer from thyroid abnormalities worldwide, and in the last five years, the increase in the number becomes obvious: thus, not only functional disorders of the thyroid and nodular benign tumors become more widely-spread, but malignant tumors as well. Synthroid, an extremely powerful preparation of thyroid hormone group, is one of the most commonly used medicaments in clinical practice. Synthroid is a synthetic levo-isomer of thyroxine, which has anabolic effect (increased production of protein). The average levothyroxine dose aims at maintaining stimulation of the need of tissues and organs in oxygen, stimulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, as well as fats and proteins; boosts up the activity of central nervous and cardiovascular systems activity.
Levothyroxine, an active ingredient of Synthorid is the first commercial synthetic drug for the treatment of thyroid issues in the U.S., which was firstly introduced to the market in 1955 under the name Synthroid from Flint Laboratories. The drug has a long history of therapeutic use in the U.S. and internationally, and has for decades been the most widely used drug for the treatment of hypothyroidism. The figures show that the brand Synthroid provided 85% of total levothyroxine sales.
Synthroid: pharmacological action
After ingestion the drug is almost completely absorbed in the upper small intestine (the level of absorption is equal to 80%). If the preparation is taken with meals the absorption is reduced. The maximum level of active substance in plasma is achieved in 5-6 hours. Synthroid is metabolized primarily in the liver, muscles, brain and kidneys; excreted as metabolites in urine and bile. The half-life of the medicament is equal to 6-7 days.
A good number of levothyroxine reviews confirm that the therapeutic effect begins to manifest within 3-5 days of treatment.
Therefore, either early hyperplastic diffuse goiter disappears or significantly reduced within 3-6 months of taking the drug. The treatment of later stages diseases is characterized by significant reduction of the size of the thyroid gland in more than 30% of cases.
Indications for Synthroid use
Instructions for Synthroid recommends assigning a remedy for hypothyroid states of various etiologies, including those related to medical and surgical exposure. The drug is indicated for the prevention and treatment of euthyroid diffuse goiter, toxic diffuse goiter, congenital thyroid failure, accompanied by a decrease in mental and physical activity. Synthroid is used in adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence of nodular thyroid malignancies after surgery.
The drug is administered in the form of an additional component for differential diagnostic tests, which require the suppression of thyroid function. Positive feedback on levothyroxine, an active ingredient of Syntroid, was given in treatment of Graves' disease and euthyroid thyroid hyperplasia.
Synthroid: how to use, the recommended dose
Syntroid tablets are designed for oral administration (it is required to take the preparation an empty stomach, preferably in the morning washing them down with plenty water). Daily dose is assigned individually depending on the form of the disease, the severity of its course and readings.
In the treatment of hypothyroidism the initial adult dosage varies from 25-100 on a daily basis and gradually increased dose to 25-50 mg every two-three weeks before a therapeutic maintenance dosage of 125-250 mg per day. Daily maintenance dose of the drug after surgery of thyroid malignancy is increased to 300 micrograms.
For the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism in children the following dosages are administered:
• Babies under 6 months are prescribed 25-50 mg of the drug per day
• Children under one year should take 60 mcg/day
• Children between the ages from one to five years, are typically prescribed to take up to 100 mg of the drug per day
• Children from 6 to 12 years - up to 150 mcg / day
• children over 12 years the drug is administered in a daily dose of 200 micrograms