ThyroKare (levothyroxine) Tablets

Description

ThyroKare are an oral prescription tablet that provides hormone replacement therapy in dogs to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism when thyroid production is lower than normal. Having a balanced amount of thyroid hormone is important in sustaining normal mental health and physical activity for your pets.

How It Works

This medication contains an ingredient called T4, or synthetic tetraiodothyronine sodium salt, an exact replica of the hormone produced naturally by a dog's thyroid gland. This ingredient makes ThyroKare Canine a beneficial replacement therapy solution for dogs diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Indications

Provides thyroid replacement therapy in all conditions of inadequate production of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is the generalized metabolic disease resulting from deficiency of the thyroid hormones levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3). Levothyroxine sodium will provide levothyroxine (T4) as a substrate for the physiologic deiodination to liothyronine (T3). Administration of levothyroxine sodium alone will result in complete physiologic thyroid replacement.

Canine hypothyroidism is usually primary, i.e., due to atrophy of the thyroid gland. In the majority of cases the atrophy is associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis and in the remainder it is non-inflammatory and as of yet unknown etiology. Less than 10 percent of cases of hypothyroidism are secondary, i.e., due to deficiency of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH deficiency may occur as a component of congenital hypopituitarism or as an acquired disorder in adult dogs, in which case it is invariably due to the growth of a pituitary tumor.

Hypothyroidism in the Dog

Hypothyroidism usually occurs in middle-aged and older dogs although the condition will sometimes be seen in younger dogs of the larger breeds. Neutered animals of either sex are also frequently affected, regardless of age.

Directions

The initial recommended dose in 0.1 mg/10 lb (4.5 kg) body weight, twice daily. Dosage is then adjusted according to patient’s response by monitoring T4 blood levels at time intervals of four weeks. The usual maintenance dose is 0.1 mg/10 lb (4.5 kg) once daily.

Administration

L-thyroxine tablets may be administered orally or placed in the food.

Caution

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Contraindications

Levothyroxine sodium therapy is contraindicated in thyrotoxicosis, acute myocardial infarction and uncorrected adrenal insufficiency. Use in pregnant bitches has not been evaluated.

Precautions

The effects of levothyroxine sodium therapy are slow in being manifested. Overdosage of any thyroid drug may produce signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis including but not limited to polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, reduced heat tolerance and hyperactivity or personality changes. Administer with caution to animals with clinically significant heart disease, hypertension or other complications for which a sharply increased metabolic rate might prove hazardous.

Adverse Reactions

There are no particular adverse reactions associated with L-thyroxine therapy at the recommended dosage levels. Overdosage will result in the signs of thyrotoxicosis listed above under precautions.

Storage

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) with excursions between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) and protect from light.