2.1 Important Administration Instructions
Administer levothyroxine sodium tablets as a single daily dose, on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast.
Administer levothyroxine sodium tablets at least 4 hours before or after drugs known to interfere with levothyroxine sodium tablets absorption [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Evaluate the need for dosage adjustments when regularly administering within one hour of certain foods that may affect levothyroxine sodium tablets absorption [see Dosage and Administration (2.2 and 2.3), Drug Interactions (7.9) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Administer levothyroxine sodium tablets to pediatric patients who cannot swallow intact tablets by crushing the tablet, suspending the freshly crushed tablet in a small amount (5 to 10 mL) of water and immediately administering the suspension by spoon or dropper. Ensure the patient ingests the full amount of the suspension. Do not store the suspension. Do not administer in foods that decrease absorption of levothyroxine sodium tablets, such as soybean-based infant formula [see Drug Interactions (7.9)].
2.2 Important Considerations for Dosing
The dosage of levothyroxine sodium tablets for hypothyroidism or pituitary TSH suppression depends on a variety of factors including: the patient's age, body weight, cardiovascular status, concomitant medical conditions (including pregnancy), concomitant medications, co-administered food and the specific nature of the condition being treated [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5), and Drug Interactions (7)]. Dosing must be individualized to account for these factors and dosage adjustments made based on periodic assessment of the patient's clinical response and laboratory parameters [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].
For adult patients with primary hypothyroidism, titrate until the patient is clinically euthyroid and the serum TSH returns to normal [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
For secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism, serum TSH is not a reliable measure of levothyroxine sodium tablets dosage adequacy and should not be used to monitor therapy. Use the serum free-T4 level to titrate levothyroxine sodium tablets dosing until the patient is clinically euthyroid and the serum free-T4 level is restored to the upper half of the normal range [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
The peak therapeutic effect of a given dose of levothyroxine sodium tablets may not be attained for 4 to 6 weeks.
2.3 Recommended Dosage and Titration
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Hypothyroidism in Adults
The recommended starting daily dosage of levothyroxine sodium tablets in adults with primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism is based on age and comorbid cardiac conditions, as described in Table 1. For patients at risk of atrial fibrillation or patients with underlying cardiac disease, start with a lower dosage and titrate the dosage more slowly to avoid exacerbation of cardiac symptoms. Dosage titration is based on serum TSH or free-T4 [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
* Dosages greater than 200 mcg/day are seldom required. An inadequate response to daily dosages greater than 300 mcg/day is rare and may indicate poor compliance, malabsorption, drug interactions, or a combination of these factors. [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Drug Interactions (7)]. | ||
| Patient Population | Starting Dosage | Dosage Titration Based on Serum TSH or Free-T4 |
| Adults diagnosed with hypothyroidism | Full replacement dose is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. Some patients require a lower starting dose. | Titrate dosage by 12.5 to 25 mcg increments every 4 to 6 weeks, as needed until the patient is euthyroid. |
| Adults at risk for atrial fibrillation or with underlying cardiac disease | Lower starting dose (less than 1.6 mcg/kg/day) | Titrate dosage every 6 to 8 weeks, as needed until the patient is euthyroid. |
| Geriatric patients | Lower starting dose (less than 1.6 mcg/kg/day) | |
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Hypothyroidism in Pediatric Patients
The recommended starting daily dosage of levothyroxine sodium tablets in pediatric patients with primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism is based on body weight and changes with age as described in Table 2. Titrate the dosage (every 2 weeks) as needed based on serum TSH or free-T4 until the patient is euthyroid [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
a Adjust dosage based on clinical response and laboratory parameters [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. | |
| Age | Starting Daily Dosage Per Kg Body Weighta |
| 0 to 3 months | 10 to 15 mcg/kg/day |
| 3 to 6 months | 8 to 10 mcg/kg/day |
| 6 to 12 months | 6 to 8 mcg/kg/day |
| 1 to 5 years | 5 to 6 mcg/kg/day |
| 6 to 12 years | 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day |
| Greater than 12 years but growth and puberty incomplete | 2 to 3 mcg/kg/day |
| Growth and puberty complete | 1.6 mcg/kg/day |
Pediatric Patients from Birth to 3 Months of Age at Risk for Cardiac Failure.
Start at a lower starting dosage and increase the dosage every 4 to 6 weeks as needed based on clinical and laboratory response.
Pediatric Patients at Risk for Hyperactivity
To minimize the risk of hyperactivity, start at one-fourth the recommended full replacement dosage, and increase on a weekly basis by one-fourth the full recommended replacement dosage until the full recommended replacement dosage is reached.
Hypothyroidism in Pregnant Patients
For pregnant patients with pre-existing hypothyroidism, measure serum TSH and free-T4 as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and, at minimum, during each trimester of pregnancy. In pregnant patients with primary hypothyroidism, maintain serum TSH in the trimester-specific reference range.
The recommended daily dosage of levothyroxine sodium tablets in pregnant patients is described in Table 3.
| Patient Population | Starting Dosage | Dose Adjustment and Titration |
| Pre-existing primary hypothyroidism with serum TSH above normal trimester- specific range | Pre-pregnancy dosage may increase during pregnancy | Increase levothyroxine sodium tablet dosage by 12.5 to 25 mcg per day. Monitor TSH every 4 weeks until a stable dose is reached and serum TSH is within normal trimester-specific range. Reduce levothyroxine sodium tablet dosage to pre-pregnancy levels immediately after delivery. Monitor serum TSH 4 to 8 weeks postpartum. |
| New onset hypothyroidism (TSH ≥ 10 IU per liter) | 1.6 mcg/kg/day | Monitor serum TSH every 4 weeks and adjust levothyroxine sodium tablet dosage until serum TSH is within normal trimester-specific range. |
| New onset hypothyroidism (TSH < 10 IU per liter) | 1.0 mcg/kg/day |
TSH Suppression in Well-differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Adult and Pediatric Patients
The levothyroxine sodium tablets dosage is based on the target level of TSH suppression for the stage and clinical status of thyroid cancer.
2.4 Monitoring TSH and/or Thyroxine (T4) Levels
Assess the adequacy of therapy by periodic assessment of laboratory tests and clinical evaluation. Persistent clinical and laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism despite an apparent adequate replacement dose of levothyroxine sodium tablets may be evidence of inadequate absorption, poor compliance, drug interactions, or a combination of these factors.
Adults
In adult patients with primary hypothyroidism, monitor serum TSH levels after an interval of 6 to 8 weeks after any change in dosage. In patients on a stable and appropriate replacement dosage, evaluate clinical and biochemical response every 6 to 12 months and whenever there is a change in the patient's clinical status.
Pediatric Patients
In patients with hypothyroidism, assess the adequacy of replacement therapy by measuring both serum TSH and total or free-T4. Monitor TSH and total or free-T4 in pediatric patients as follows: 2 and 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment, 2 weeks after any change in dosage, and then every 3 to 12 months thereafter following dosage stabilization until growth is completed. Poor compliance or abnormal values may necessitate more frequent monitoring. Perform routine clinical examination, including assessment of development, mental and physical growth, and bone maturation, at regular intervals.
The general aim of therapy is to normalize the serum TSH level. TSH may not normalize in some patients due to in utero hypothyroidism causing a resetting of pituitary-thyroid feedback. Failure of the serum T4 to increase into the upper half of the normal range within 2 weeks of initiation of levothyroxine sodium tablets therapy and/or of the serum TSH to decrease below 20 IU per liter within 4 weeks may indicate the patient is not receiving adequate therapy. Assess compliance, dose of medication administered, and method of administration prior to increasing the dose of levothyroxine sodium tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Secondary and Tertiary Hypothyroidism
Monitor serum free-T4 levels and maintain in the upper half of the normal range in these patients.
