thyroid (USP) (Westhroid, Natural Thyroid, Nature-Throid, NP Thyroid)

Introduction

Tradenames: Armour thyroid.

Indications

• replacement of supplemental therapy for hypothyroidism (not agent of choice)

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

• contains both T3 & T4
• preparations not well standardized.

Notes

• porcine (or mixed beef & pork) thyroid glands, dried & powdered for therapeutic use

More general terms

• pharmacologic combination
• endocrine agent