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thyroid (USP) (Westhroid, Natural Thyroid, Nature-Throid, NP Thyroid)
Tradenames: Armour thyroid.
Indications:
- replacement of supplemental therapy for hypothyroidism (not agent of choice) [3]
Dosage:
Tabs: 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 mg.
Adverse effects:
- uncommon (< 1%)
- palpitations, nervousness, sweating, tachycardia, headache, cardiac arrhythmias, tremors, insomnia, fever, hair loss, increased appetite, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, changes in menstrual cycle, constipation, muscle aches, chest pain, hand tremors, shortness of breath, clumsiness
Mechanism of action:
1) contains both T3 & T4
2) preparations not well standardized.
Notes:
- porcine (or mixed beef & pork) thyroid glands, dried & powdered for therapeutic use
General
pharmacologic combination
endocrine agent
References
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug
Formulary, 1998
- Prescriber's Letter 12(5): 2005
Combination Liothyronine (T3) and Levothyroxine (T4)
Supplementation for Hypothyroidism
Detail-Document#: 210512
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com
- Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/ppa/thyroid-desiccated-thyroid-usp.html
- Wikipedia: dessicated thyroid extract
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccated_thyroid_extract
- Jackson IM, Cobb WE.
Why does anyone still use desiccated thyroid USP?
Am J Med. 1978 Feb;64(2):284-8.
PMID: 629277