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What is Dextrothyroxine
Dextrothyroxine is an oral antilipemic agent. Dextrothyroxine sodium is the sodium salt of thyroxine, the principal secretion of the thyroid gland.
Unlike levothyroxine, however, dextrothyroxine possesses minimal thyroid hormone effects.
Any thyroid hormone effects from dextrothyroxine are likely attributable to contamination from levothyroxine.
Although still officially indicated for Type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia, the use of dextrothyroxine is considered obsolete for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and alternative cholesterol-lowering agents with greater efficacy and safety should be considered (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, or niacin).
Dextrothyroxine lowers LDL cholesterol only modestly, and may cause serious cardiac toxicity. In the past, it was used to treat obesity, but this practice should be discouraged.
Dextrothyroxine was approved by the FDA in 1967.
Indications
- hyperlipoproteinemia
For the management of primary type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia in conjunction with dietary control in euthyroid patients without evidence of cardiac disease
NOTE: Although still indicated for Type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia, the use of dextrothyroxine is considered obsolete and alternative cholesterol-lowering agents with greater efficacy and safety are should be considered (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, or niacin). Dextrothyroxine lowers LDL cholesterol only modestly, and may cause serious cardiac toxicity.
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- angina
- cholelithiasis
- hyperthyroidism
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- sinus tachycardia
- supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- serum cholesterol profile
Contraindications
- angina
- breast-feeding
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac disease
- coronary artery disease
- diabetes mellitus
- heart failure
- hepatic disease
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- myocardial infarction
- pregnancy
- renal impairment
- rheumatic heart disease
- surgery
- tartrazine dye hypersensitivity
Interactions
No information is available regarding drug interactions associated with Dextrothyroxine
