Armour Thyroid, Thyroid, Thyroid Porcine

Thyroid, Desiccated

(THYE roid DES i kay tid)

Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, NP Thyroid, Westhroid, WP Thyroid

Do not use this drug to treat obesity or for weight loss. Very bad and sometimes deadly side effects may happen with this drug if it is taken in large doses or with other drugs for weight loss. Talk with the doctor.

It is used to add thyroid hormone to the body. It is used to treat or prevent an enlarged thyroid. It is used to manage thyroid cancer. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you have any of these health problems: Overactive thyroid gland or weak adrenal gland. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Do not run out of this drug. It may take several weeks to see the full effects. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor. This drug is made from pork (pig) thyroid tissue. There is a very small risk of getting a viral disease from this drug. No cases have been reported. If you have questions, talk with the doctor. If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Chest pain or pressure. Fast or abnormal heartbeat. Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs. Lump on the neck. Headache. Feeling nervous and excitable. Shakiness. Trouble sleeping. Bothered by heat. Sweating a lot. Feeling more or less hungry. A change in weight without trying. Diarrhea. Stomach cramps. Throwing up. Feeling irritable. Fever. Leg cramps. Muscle weakness. Period (menstrual) changes.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Hair loss may happen in some people in the first few months of using this drug. This most often goes back to normal. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. It is best to take this drug on an empty stomach. There is more than 1 brand of this drug. One brand cannot safely be used for the other. The doctor will tell you about any needed change. Do not take colesevelam, colestipol, or cholestyramine within 4 hours of this drug. Some foods like soybean flour (infant formula) may change how this drug works in your body. Talk with your doctor. Take this drug at the same time of day. Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.