Modern medicine has several million medicines. At the same time, more and more various analogues and generics have been produced recently. Often patients ask their doctor: "Eutirox" or "L-thyroxine" - which is better "? The answer to this question cannot be given immediately. After all, both medicines contain the same active ingredient - sodium levothyroxine. However, there is still a difference in medicines. It is about her that you will learn from the article.
Similarity of drugs
If you have been prescribed Eutirox or L-thyroxine, then you have a thyroid disorder. Indications for the use of medicines are any pathologies associated with the appearance of a goiter. Both formulations are recommended for use in thyroid cancer or after surgery in this area.
The first and second medicines are taken by mouth before meals. It is advisable to take the tablets on an empty stomach with water. In this case, it is not necessary to pre-grind the drug (except for the treatment of small children). For babies, you can dissolve the medicine in a small amount of liquid. Both formulations are accepted once a day. The dosage of drugs is selected based on the patient's complaints and after laboratory diagnosis. Self-administration of pills of both types is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, disastrous consequences may arise.
Dosage and packaging
"Eutirox" or "L-thyroxine" - which is better? The first medication is available in a wide variety of dosages. The medicine may contain 25, 50, 75, 88, 100, 112, 125, 137 and 150 μg of levothyroxine. A medication is produced in 25 capsules in a blister. The drug "L-thyroxine" contains 50 and 100 mcg of the active substance. the medication is sold in 10 and 50 capsules per pack.
As you can see, there is a difference between these drugs. It should be noted that Eutirox tablets are more convenient to use. After all, you can choose an individual dosage that is right for you.
Price category of tablets
"L-thyroxine" and "Eutirox" - which is better for the price? The cost of drugs is different. It depends on the dosage and the number of tablets in the package. The medicine "Eutirox" will cost you from 100 to 200 rubles. The drug "L-thyroxine" costs about the same (100-140 rubles). When choosing a medicine, it is worth comparing the price of the same dosage of medicines.
The drug "Eutirox" in a dose of 50 mcg (100 pcs) costs 130 rubles. The same amount of "L-thyroxine" medication will cost you 240 rubles. As you can see, Eutirox tablets have a more favorable price category.
Side effects
"Eutirox" or "L-thyroxine" - which is better for the side effects of drugs? The instructions for use of both medicines say that they do not cause negative reactions. However, consumers and healthcare professionals are taking a different view.
The drug "Eutirox" is usually well tolerated even by the most sensitive patients. Only if the dose is exceeded can the drug cause allergies. The "L-thyroxine" remedy is much more likely to develop side effects. Pills often cause weight problems, deterioration in general well-being. Baldness often occurs or
Contraindications to use
Tablets "Thyroxin" or "Eutirox"? How to choose the exact medication that is right for you? A doctor should give advice on the use of the product. Also, before starting therapy, you must definitely familiarize yourself with the contraindications. What is the difference between these medicines?
Means "Eutirox" should not be used during pregnancy without appropriate recommendations. Also, during the period of breastfeeding, the issue of treatment is decided exclusively by a specialist. The medication "L-thyroxine" is contraindicated in myocardial infarction. While its analog can be used in this case.
"Eutirox" or "L-thyroxine" - which is better?
Summing up all of the above, we can draw the following conclusions. The medicine "Eutirox" is cheaper. It is better tolerated by patients of all ages. It is convenient to take, since the drug is produced in different dosages.
The drug "L-thyroxine" is a more popular remedy. It is more often prescribed by doctors. The doctor decides which medicine to choose. However, the specialist relies on the patient's condition and complaints.
Patient opinion
What do consumers say about the drugs described? The majority of patients are of the opinion that both medicines are the same. However, it is not. As you can see, there is still a difference. Note that one cannot independently replace one medication with another. Before that, you need to see an endocrinologist.
Consumers are usually satisfied with the product they have been assigned. Some people say that the drug "L-thyroxine" caused a lot of unpleasant reactions in them. Whereas after replacing the drug with Eutirox tablets, the condition returned to normal.
An important point worth mentioning is the effect of therapy. Patients say that the result from the use of "Eutirox" is noticeable only after a few weeks. Whereas its analogue "L-thyroxine" positively manifests itself on the third day of treatment. The results become noticeable in general well-being, laboratory tests and ultrasound diagnostics. After the withdrawal of both drugs, the effect persists for some time.
Expectant mothers who have taken the medicine of both trade names say that during the period of bearing a child, the dose of the medicine should be increased. This is necessary for the normal development of the embryo. The selection of the appropriate portion of the pills is made by the doctor after a certain diagnosis.
Short summary of the article: conclusion
If you are interested in knowing the difference between "Eutirox" and "L-thyroxine", be sure to ask your doctor about it. It is worth recalling that both compositions are prescribed exclusively after laboratory tests. Based on the data obtained, an individual dose of the medication is selected. If necessary, the dose of the drug can be adjusted during treatment. I wish you good health and well-being!
For the treatment of thyroid pathologies associated with its hypofunction, doctors often prescribe medications based on sodium levothyroxine.
Eutirox or L-Thyroxin: which is better, more effective and safer - this question often arises in people who have been prescribed hormone therapy.
Let's consider each of these medicines in detail and draw the appropriate conclusions.
Both drugs - Eutirox and L-Thyroxin are designed to solve problems associated with a decreased thyroid function.
Eutirox, the main action of which is aimed at replenishing the deficiency of thyroid hormones, is prescribed for the following diseases and conditions:
- hypothyroidism;
- euthyroid goiter;
- neoplasms in the thyroid gland;
- diffuse toxic goiter.
In addition, this drug is used in diagnostics for testing the thyroid suspension, as well as for the prevention of goiter recurrence after surgery on the thyroid gland.
The main indications for the use of the drug L-Thyroxin are:
- primary and secondary hypothyroidism;
- cretinism and / or obesity, which are accompanied by signs of hypothyroidism;
- cerebral-pituitary diseases;
- diffuse euthyroid goiter;
- graves' disease;
- euthyroid hyperplasia of the thyroid gland;
- papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma and other hormone-dependent highly differentiated neoplasms of a malignant nature;
- conducting thyroid suppression tests.
Also, the drug L-Thyroxin has found use among bodybuilding athletes as a weight loss agent.
Both drugs are contraindicated in case of excessive sensitivity to their components, adrenal and pituitary insufficiency, untreated thyrotoxicosis, acute myocardial infarction and acute inflammatory lesions of the heart muscle.
Increased caution when taking L-Thyroxin and Eutirox should be those people who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arrhythmia and angina pectoris.
Similarity of drugs
Eutirox and L-Thyroxin are considered to be analogous drugs.
Their main similarity is a single main active ingredient that has a beneficial effect on the state of the thyroid gland - levothyroxine sodium in an amount of 25 to 200 μg.
Both drugs are available in tablet form and belong to the category of hormonal drugs.
The method of using these funds is also identical - the daily dosage must be taken in the morning, no earlier than 30 minutes before breakfast.
In pharmacies, both types of tablets are dispensed exclusively on presentation of a prescription. The shelf life and storage conditions for them are also the same - three years in a dark, dry and cool place, out of the reach of children, at a temperature not exceeding + 25⁰С.
Eutirox and L-Thyroxine can be used during pregnancy if they were prescribed before the onset of this condition. They are not contraindicated in childhood.
But the medicines under consideration also have certain differences, which mainly relate to the number of tablets in the package, as well as the excipients that make up their composition.
A pack with Eutirox contains 25 tablets, while L-Thyroxin is available in two versions - 10 and 50 pieces per pack.
Excipients in the composition of the Eutirox drug are magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, corn starch, lactose monohydrate and gelatin. L-Thyroxin tablets contain components such as calcium hydrogen phosphate, cellulose and glycerides, but this composition may vary depending on the pharmaceutical company that produces the drug.
Thyroid stimulating hormone is extremely important for the functioning of the human endocrine system. You can read about where it is produced and what functions it performs.
Dosage
The drugs L-Thyroxin and Eutirox are available in various dosages.
In pharmacies, you can buy packages with L-Thyroxine, which is characterized by a standard concentration of the main active substance - 25, 50, 75, 100, as well as 125 micrograms.
As for the Eutirox tablets, in this regard, they are much more convenient for the patient, since, in addition to the standard concentration, they are also presented in the amount of 88, 112 and 137 micrograms - thanks to this feature, in certain cases there is no need to divide the tablet into several parts.
When carrying out replacement therapy, the dosage of Eutirox is calculated based on the patient's weight. In severe and prolonged hypothyroidism, a minimum dosage is initially prescribed, the increase in which should occur gradually under the supervision of a doctor.
The dosage of L-Thyroxine is also prescribed by the doctor. Its sharp and uncontrolled increase is unacceptable, as it can lead to serious side effects.
At the initial stages of treatment, the dosage of L-Thyroxin and Eutorox for people with an absolutely healthy cardiovascular system is 100-150 μg / day (for men) and 70-100 μg / day (for women). In the presence of cardiovascular diseases, the daily dosage is 25 μg of the drug.
A similar dosage is provided for persons over 55 years of age.
For children, the daily dosages of these drugs are as follows:
- from birth to 6 months - 25-50 mcg;
- from 6 months to 1 year - 50-75 mcg;
- from 1 to 5 years - 75-100 mcg;
- over 6 years old - 100-150 mcg;
- adolescents from 12 years old - 100-200 mcg.
Which is better: Eutirox or L-Thyroxine?
Which drug is the best in all respects - Eutirox or L-Thyroxin - is a question that is relevant for many people who want to get rid of problems associated with insufficient thyroid function.
To determine this, you need to familiarize yourself with all the important nuances inherent in each of the drugs, as well as compare the cost, ease of use, portability, and the presence or absence of side effects.
In terms of price, the purchase of the Eutirox drug is more profitable. A package of this medication, containing 100 tablets at a dosage of 50 mgc, costs approximately 130-150 rubles. The cost of a similar amount of the drug L-Thyroxin is higher and amounts to 240-260 rubles.
According to reviews, Eutirox is easier to tolerate and has practically no side effects, with the exception of individual intolerance. With regard to the drug L-Thyroxin, in rare cases, taking it can provoke headaches, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as menstrual irregularities. To eliminate all of the listed side effects, you must take this medication under the strict supervision of a qualified doctor.
Eutirox, due to the possibility of choosing non-standard dosages, is more convenient to use than L-Thyroxin.
The therapeutic effect of L-Thyroxine usually occurs on the third day after the start of treatment, while Eutirox begins to work effectively only after a few weeks.
From the foregoing, it is clear that each of the drugs has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
In any case, it is undesirable to prescribe one or another drug on your own - you should entrust this to an experienced doctor who will select the best option based on individual characteristics.
Unfortunately, some patients require hormonal correction: the thyroid gland does not fully fulfill its obligations. In medical practice, the drugs Eutirox and L-thyroxine are popular. Their appointment is justified in a number of conditions:
- With goiter and diagnosed hypothyroidism.
- In the case of replacement therapy with complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland.
- To stabilize the condition caused by hypothyroidism.
- These funds are prescribed to patients with malignant tumors.
- For the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism.
Let's try to answer the burning question: Should Eutirox or L-thyroxine be chosen for people with thyroid problems or for women who dream of losing weight? 
The similarity of these drugs
According to doctors and endocrinologist patients, both drugs make life much easier for people with a problematic thyroid gland. The following can be considered similar characteristics of these pharmaceuticals:
- These are drugs of the hormonal cycle.
- They have an identical reception scheme. Eutirox and L-thyroxine are taken on an empty stomach, waiting at least half an hour before the next meal.
- These funds are prescribed for young patients, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- They have one shelf life.
- Both products require a prescription from a doctor.
Distinctive features
Despite many similar characteristics, the means cannot be called completely identical. The specialist must decide which treatment regimen is preferable in each case. You should not neglect your health and choose the price as the decisive criterion.
The first visible difference is the design of the package and the number of tablets in each pack. L-thyroxine can be purchased in quantities of 10 and 50. Eutirox is available in 25 tablets. These drugs have individual contraindications. L-thyroxine is not prescribed for patients who have had myocardial infarction. A contraindication to the use of Eutirox can be considered pituitary insufficiency, the drug is not prescribed for women in a position taking antithyroid drugs.
How to make the right choice
The answer to this question should be based on knowledge of the patient's history and other important criteria. To make the right choice, you should familiarize yourself with some data:
- Patients taking L-thyroxine should not be arbitrary: even a small change in dosage can have serious consequences. Do not neglect the treatment regimen suggested by the doctor.
- It is worth being consistent: after starting treatment, it is not necessary for the sake of interest to try an analogue of the prescribed drug, since health may deteriorate and the doctor will not be able to assess the objective picture of treatment.
- The European origin of the pharmaceutical product speaks in favor of Eutirox. This remedy helps patients around the world, it is more common in medical use.
- Pediatric patients with epilepsy should be monitored. If there is a noticeable deterioration in the condition, you need to stop taking the pills and seek medical advice.
- People taking Eutirox say that the condition stabilizes a couple of weeks after starting treatment and the positive effect persists for some time after stopping the drug. Most patients note positive dynamics associated with taking Eutirox, some (about 30%) claim that the thyroid gland has decreased. After 3 months of treatment, thyroid problems do not complicate life so much.
- L-thyroxine is good because on the 3rd day after the start of treatment, the patient notices an improvement in his condition and a decrease in unpleasant symptoms. But this remedy is contraindicated for people who have reached the age of 65.
- Better to trust the doctor and give preference to the drug stated in the prescription.
The instruction for L-thyroxine describes the side effects that patients may experience. The following symptoms can be noted:
- Weight gain.
- Hair loss.
- Allergy.
- Kidney problems.
- Hair loss.
- Change in appetite.
Eutirox has fewer side symptoms: a small number of patients have allergies.
Price policy
The prices for these funds may depend on:
- Region.
- Manufacturer.
- The number of tablets.
L-thyroxine and Eutirox have a small price difference, and these drugs can be purchased at a price 100-200 rubles.
After analyzing the specified information and familiarizing themselves with the features of the action of each agent and the opinion of the doctor, patients will be able to choose the optimal drug that suits them.
The function of the thyroid gland is to produce the vital hormones T3 and T4. If, for any reason, the secretion of the gland is disrupted, the person needs to take hormones from the outside. Hormone preparations containing thyroxine have long been used in medicine, providing patients with an active and healthy life. Below, in a short review, we will consider two drugs in this series and find out if there is a difference between Eutirox and L-thyroxine.
What is the difference?
Take only as directed by your doctor
The pharmaceutical group to which the drugs in question belong are called "thyroid drugs". Both preparations contain the same active ingredient levothyroxine.
Eutirox is produced by Merck (Germany) in tablet form. Since any hormonal agent requires a strict dose selection in accordance with the physiological needs of the body, the company produces tablets with a wide range of dosages: 25-150 mcg.
L-Thyroxin tablets are produced by both Russian (Ozone, Akrihim) and foreign companies (Berlin-Chemie, Germany). The dosage range of these manufacturers is a little narrower: 50-150 mcg.
50 tab. 50 mcg each So, what is the difference between Eutirox and L-thyroxine? In terms of the active substance, nothing, but there are differences in:
- dosages,
- auxiliary and shaping components,
- manufacturer.
What are levothyroxine preparations for and how do they work?
Hypothyroidism can be different: congenital or acquired, depending on the severity: clinical (with severe symptoms) or subclinical (with subtle symptoms). In clinical hypothyroidism, serious organ disorders are observed, and without proper treatment, even coma may occur, while in subhypothyroidism, external signs may be absent.
In any case, the diagnosis is made on the basis of measuring the level of hormones, and this once again emphasizes the fact that the treatment of the thyroid gland should be carried out under the supervision of endocrinologists.
Therapy for hypothyroidism is based on the administration of thyroxine (T4), which is converted in peripheral tissues into a more active form - triiodothyronine (T3). T3, in turn, triggers a whole chain of processes at the level of the cell nucleus, responsible for the expression of genes necessary for the normal development of organs and the regulation of their functions.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic analogue of T4, which was first synthesized back in 1927. It belongs to the WHO List of Essential Medicines Needed in the Health System of all countries It is generally accepted that the administration of thyroxine-containing drugs, such as Eutirox or L-thyroxine, completely compensates for hypothyroidism, and with the correct selection of the dose, the prognosis for patients is good.
100 tab. 25 mcg each Levothyroxine, in fact, is a prohormone that can circulate in the blood and be consumed as needed by the body. Its daily dose depends on various factors, such as body weight, age, and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Change in body weight is not only a burning issue for many of the fairer sex, but also one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. However, according to the results of special studies, with a properly selected dose of the hormone, no changes in body mass index were found in patients. The weight when taking L-thyroxine was more dependent on the eating style than on the hormonal level.
Interestingly, hypothyroidism is more common in women than in men. In this regard, in many countries, a preventive examination of women over the age of 50 is used in order to identify the subclinical form of the disease. Therapy for hypothyroidism is usually a long or lifelong process.
When is the best time to take to normalize TSH levels?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) acts in the body according to the "feedback principle". With a decrease in the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood, TSH is produced, which activates their synthesis by the thyroid gland. After reaching the physiological norm, thyroid hormones block the synthesis of TSH.
In a person with an insufficiency of the thyroid gland, the level of T4 is lowered, and the level of TSH, respectively, is increased. When taking thyroxine-containing drugs, both levels should normalize. Is it really?
The level of TSH while taking thyroxine may depend on several factors, the main of which is good absorption and assimilation of T4.
For example, a recent study found that taking levothyroxine at bedtime had lower serum TSH concentrations compared to taking the drug 30 minutes before breakfast.
Additional factors that reduce intestinal absorption of levothyroxine include foods high in fiber, soy, and some beverages. According to many years of observation, taking the hormone on an empty stomach ensures that the TSH concentration will be within normal limits.
The difference in cost
Considering Eutirox or L-thyroxine, similar in therapeutic effect, let's find out which will be better for our wallet. Since the treatment of hypothyroidism involves the daily intake of a thyroxine-containing drug, it is more convenient to purchase large packages.
Depending on the dosage, 100 tablets of German-made L-thyroxine cost about 120 to 150 rubles. Eutirox is in the same price range, but its price is on average 10% higher.
In the treatment of diseases associated with insufficient production of the thyroid gland of hormones necessary for a person, the drug "Eutirox" is most often used. However, there are many other drugs of similar composition, sometimes cheaper in cost, but providing the same therapeutic effect. What analogue of "Eutirox" can be considered the best, we will try to determine by comparing drugs and taking into account the reviews of patients about them.
Thyroid and hormone deficiency
The thyroid gland plays a very important role in the human body. Thanks to the hormones and active substances it produces, it affects the work of many systems. The gland produces two types of hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Their effect on the body is very multifaceted:
- an increase in tissue oxygen demand;
- strengthening of energy processes;
- stimulating tissue growth;
- influence on the state of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
- influence on the functioning of the kidneys, liver and other organs;
- increased absorption of glucose, etc.
The hormone triiodothyronine is more active (3-5 times) than thyroxine; in medicine, synthetic analogs of thyroxine (sodium levothyroxine) and triyothyronine are widely used.
The drug "Eutirox" is an analogue of thyroxine produced by a healthy thyroid gland in humans. In the treatment of thyroid diseases, these drugs are prescribed when the level of production of their hormones is insufficient. At the same time, to eliminate iodine deficiency in the body, it is additionally recommended to take potassium iodide.
"Eutirox": analogues, instructions for use
"Eutirox" is a preparation containing sodium levothyroxine, that is, a synthetic thyroid hormone. It also includes additional substances: corn starch, lactose monohydrate, gelatin, etc.
Tablets "Eutirox" come in different dosages depending on the content of the active ingredient: from 25 to 150 μg with an interval of 25 μg. Recently, the company has also been producing tablets in non-standard dosages of 88, 112, 137 mcg - they are intended for patients with high sensitivity to the active substance. The package contains 2 or 4 blisters of 25 pieces each. The drug is manufactured in Germany.
Admission rules: tablets should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, 1 time per day half an hour before meals. It is not recommended to chew the tablets, drink it with water (1/2 glass). Only the attending endocrinologist can prescribe drugs containing hormones after taking blood tests for thyrotropin (TSH), ultrasound and according to the patient's well-being.
The most widely used thyroid hormone substitutes are Eutirox, L-Thyroxin, L-tyrok and others.
The effect of the drug on the body
The most important effect of such drugs on the body is to compensate for the deficiency of the hormone thyroxine. You should take Eutirox tablets on an empty stomach, because food reduces the amount of absorbed levothyroxine. After absorption in human tissues, monodeiodination occurs and triiodothyronine is formed. Thyroid hormones are metabolized via the liver, kidneys, muscles and brain.
The active substances of "Eutirox" affect the growth of tissues and the general metabolism in the body. The therapeutic effect appears after 7-10 days and can persist for the same time when the medication is discontinued.
Indications for taking the drug are the following diseases:
- hypothyroidism;
- euthyroid goiter;
- thyroid cancer (prescribed after surgery);
- for therapy and prevention of exacerbation of the disease after surgery;
- diffuse toxic goiter.
Features of the use of drugs during pregnancy
While waiting for the child, it is usually recommended to increase the dose of taking the drug "Eutirox" (drug analogues). For the treatment of hyperthyroidism, a combined administration of drugs containing levothyroxine and may be prescribed.It should be borne in mind that high doses of antithyroid drugs, penetrating the placenta, can negatively affect the child and subsequently cause health problems for the newborn.
During the period of breastfeeding, thyroxin preparations must be drunk with caution, since the medicine can enter the baby's body with milk. However, when the drug is consumed in the required therapeutic dosage prescribed by the doctor, the level of the hormone in breast milk usually does not contribute to the development of hyperthyroidism in the child.
Reception of "Eutirox" and analogues by children
All preparations containing thyroid hormones can be prescribed to pediatric patients from birth. The initial dosage after the tests should be prescribed by the attending physician. Usually, the initial dose is prescribed a small one - 12.5-50 mcg, for small newborn babies - 25-50 mcg. Also, when prescribing, the doctor takes into account the child's body weight.
Children who feed on breast milk should receive the medicine half an hour before the first morning feeding; for this, the tablet must be dissolved in water and given with a small amount of liquid immediately before taking. The drug must be given regularly, the duration of treatment is determined by the endocrinologist.
If one of the receptions is missed, then, regardless of the reason, the next time you cannot give a large dosage - in the future, drink the medicine in the usual dosage.
One of the disadvantages of "Eutirox" when prescribing to children: the medicine can worsen the condition of a small patient with a history of epilepsy and other similar diseases. In such a situation, the medication should be stopped and the help of specialists should be sought. When children take the drug, short-term hair loss occurs, other adverse reactions are possible.
The drug "L-Thyroxin" ("Berlin-Chemie")
This drug - the main analogue of "Eutirox", is one of the most widely used by patients. Contains also auxiliary substances. Refers to the synthetic isomers of thyroxine levorotatory action.
The drug can be used in children from birth, in adults with diseases associated with a lack of the hormone thyroxine.
The medicine is produced by Berlin-Chemie AG (Menarini Group, Germany), available in dosages: 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mcg.
Possible negative reactions of the body when taking "L-Thyroxine":
- allergy symptoms;
- hair loss;
- loss of appetite;
- change in the patient's body weight;
- some abnormalities in the work of the kidneys.
Other analogues of foreign production
"L-Tyrox Euro" - an analogue of Eutirox, manufactured in India (Biodil laboratory). There are only two dosages of tablets: 50 and 100 mcg, which is not very convenient for patients.
The action of the drug and its administration are similar to all drugs containing sodium levothyroxine. In case of an overdose, unpleasant symptoms may occur:
- palpitations and rapid pulse;
- increased sweating;
- tremors and insomnia;
- angina attacks;
- allergic reactions: urticaria, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, up to anaphylactic shock.
With such manifestations, you should stop taking the drug and make the necessary examinations: blood tests, ultrasound, etc.
"Bagotyrox" - an analogue of the production of Argentina, containing the active substance levothyroxine sodium. Tablet dosage: 50, 100, 150 μg (tablets differ in color).
"Tivoral"- a preparation containing levothyroxine sodium and excipients, produced in Serbia and Montenegro (Belgrade), dosage 100 mcg. It should be used with caution in people with lactose intolerance or lactose deficiency.
"Yodokomb" (Berlin-Chemie, Germany) - contains, in addition to sodium levothyroxine (dosage 50 and 75 mcg), another 150 mcg of potassium iodide. Iodine is an ingredient required for normal thyroid hormone synthesis. The daily requirement for iodine intake in the patient's body usually lies in the range of 100-250 μg. Contraindicated in children under 18 years of age. It should be taken with caution in patients over the age of 65, with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease (including myocardial infarction), epilepsy.
Analogues of Russian production
Let's consider what drugs have an active ingredient - sodium levothyroxine, like Eutirox. Analogues of this medicine in Russia, as a rule, have a price 2-3 times less than imported drugs.
These are such medicines:
- L-Thyroxin-Acri is a cheaper analogue of Eutirox produced by Akrikhin (Russia). The package contains 50 tablets, the active ingredient is the same;
- "L-Thyroxin" (Ozone, Russia) - produced by the Ozone company, in a dosage of 50 and 100 mcg;
- Levothyroxine sodium, Tiro-4, Tyroxin-Farmak, etc.
Contraindications and side effects of preparations containing levothyroxine sodium
Contraindications are:
- individual intolerance and possible allergic reaction to the active substance;
- untreated thyrotoxicosis;
- pituitary insufficiency that has not been treated;
- adrenal insufficiency in a patient that has not been treated;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system: myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis;
- high blood pressure;
- diabetes;
- severe hypothyroidism, which was previously determined for a long time.
As evidenced by the reviews left by patients about the drug "Eutirox", side effects (analogs of thyroxine also fall under this rule) are usually insignificant:
- as a rule, the drug is taken for a long time and is well tolerated;
- allergic reactions can occur with high sensitivity to thyroxine;
- side negative effects are possible only in case of overdose.
In women who have reached climacteric age who are suffering from hypothyroidism, the risk of developing osteoporosis should be considered. In this regard, the function of the thyroid gland should be monitored in order to avoid exceeding the level of levothyroxine in the blood, which may be higher than the physiologically necessary level.
Overdose symptoms
With thyrotoxicosis, which can occur due to taking a high dose of the drug, the following symptoms may be observed:
- increased heart rate and irregular heartbeat;
- pain in the region of the heart;
- tremor (trembling) of the limbs;
- anxiety, sleep disturbances;
- high sweating;
- decreased appetite and, as a result, a decrease in the patient's weight;
- menstrual irregularities;
- upset stomach (diarrhea).
In order to reduce the negative manifestation of an overdose of the drug "Eutirox", the dose of its intake (daily) should be reduced or taken a break for several days. In a difficult situation, the doctor may prescribe a course of beta-blockers.
When the side effects disappear, the treatment should be continued, but with a lower dose of the medication.
Differences between preparations containing levothyroxine
Different patients perceive levothyroxine sodium medications differently. The opinions of doctors when answering this question are also different.
As evidenced by the available information about the drug "Eutirox" (instructions for use, reviews), its analogues, such as "L-Thyroxin" and others, have a mostly positive effect on the patient's body, and the way they are used is the same.
Possible reasons for the different effects of drugs:
- wrong medication;
- wrong dosage;
- the product does not contain the required substances (counterfeit);
- improper storage conditions;
- individual perception of additional substances.
Differences in dosage and drug components
All these preparations contain the same main active ingredient, however, the method of synthesizing the substance itself may differ. Therefore, the degree of activity of the active substance in different drugs may also differ.
There are also various excipients that make up the drugs:
Drug name | Excipients |
"Eutirox" | Starch, gelatin, lactose, etc. |
"L-Thyroxine" | Calcium hydrogen phosphate, glycerides, microcrystalline cellulose |
"L-Thyroxin-Acri" | Ludipress, magnesium stearate, lactose |
"L-Tyrox Euro" | Sodium starch glycolate, crystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, silicone dioxide, lactose, water |
"Bagotyrox" | Crystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate croscarmellose sodium, quinoline yellow or brilliant blue (dyes) |
"Tivoral" | Corn starch, sodium croscarmellose, magnesium stearate, lactose minohydrate |
Excipients may differ in the rate of absorption of the main component into the walls of the stomach and intestines, but these differences are small.
