Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Liothyronine sodium may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Liothyronine Sodium Tablets are a form of thyroxine which is quick acting and long lasting. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland in the neck which controls many body functions. Liothyronine Sodium Tablets are used to:
- treat some of the more severe conditions in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroxine.
- balance the effect of medicines used to treat an overactive thyroid.
What you need to know before you take it
e Liothyronine Sodium Tablets Do not take Liothyronine Sodium Tablets:
- if you are allergic to liothyronine sodium or any of the other ingredients (listed in Section 6 at the end of this leaflet)
- if you have angina (chest pain when exercising) or conditions affecting your heart or circulation
- if you are suffering from thyrotoxicosis (condition due to over activity of the thyroid gland). Speak to your doctor before you take this medicine if any of the above applies to you. Warnings and Precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets if:
- you are suffering from diabetes. Liothyronine Sodium Tablets may raise blood sugar levels
- you are suffering from a condition called myxoedema (which can happen when you have a problem with your thyroid gland) which makes your skin look swollen and dry
- you are elderly
- you have suffered from low levels of thyroid hormone in your body for a long time, as this may affect how your adrenal glands work. You may be given additional medication (corticosteriods) if this is the case
- you are suffering from any heart problems
- you have increased blood pressure
140 x 280 mm
How to take it
Liothyronine Sodium Tablets Always take medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Liothyronine Sodium Tablets are taken by mouth. They should be swallowed with a glass of water. For patients who have difficulty in swallowing a whole tablet, such as the elderly and young children, a whole tablet may be crushed and allowed to dissolve/disperse in a minimum of 20 mL of water. The entire volume of liquid should be consumed to ensure ingestion of the full dose. Adults: The dose will depend upon your condition, ranging from 10 microgram to 60 microgram daily in divided doses. Children and elderly: The dose may be started at 5 microgram a day. Please note that your doctor will monitor your thyroid function regularly to make sure that you are given the right dose for your condition. If you take more Liothyronine Sodium Tablets than you should: This may cause agitation, confusion, headache, sweating and a rapid pulse. If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department as soon as possible. Take any remaining tablets and this leaflet with you so the medical staff will know what you have taken. If you forget to take your Liothyronine Sodium Tablets: Take the next dose at the correct time and then go on as before. It is important, in order for your medicine to work, that doses are not forgotten. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. If you stop taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets: Do not stop taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Possible side effects
you could experience are: Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data):
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Insomnia (sleeplessness)
- Fever
- Intolerance to heat
- Tremor (involuntary, rhythmic muscle movements)
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, oedema (abnormal accumulation of body fluid)
- Angina pain (pain in the chest when exercising)
- Irregular, thumping or fast heart beats
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness or excitability
- Headache, face and neck redness, sweating
- Loss of weight Additional side effects seen in children
- Temporary loss of hair in children
Front Side
NON PRINTING COLOUR
140 x 280 mm
PRODUCT
Liothyronine Sodium 5, 10 & 20 micrograms Tablets
BUYER/COUNTRY
SPUK
DIMENSION
140 x 280 mm
NEW ITEM CODE
1051469
COLOUR SHADES
BLACK
COMPONENT OLD ITEM CODE
ACME GENERICS PVT. LTD. Pack insert PACK
–
No. of Colours
1
1051124
Change Control No. PC-CM1/2024/073 – Record No.: 440966 & PC-CM1/2025/005 – Record No.: 453196 Artwork Version 3.0 Design/Style
As per CMO Specification
Substrate
As per CMO Specification
Special Instructions Printing clarity should be clear and sharp. Autocartonator Requirements
How to store it
Liothyronine Tablets Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store below 25°C. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or blister and bottle after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not use your tablets if you notice that the container or the tablets are damaged. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Liothyronine Sodium Tablets contains
- The active substance is liothyronine sodium. Each tablet contains 5 microgram, 10 microgram or 20 microgram of liothyronine sodium
- The other ingredients are mannitol, maize starch, gum arabic powder (Acacia), sodium hydroxide and magnesium stearate What Liothyronine Sodium Tablets looks like and contents of the pack Liothyronine Sodium 5 microgram Tablets are round, white to off-white-colored tablets, debossed with '5' on one side of the tablet and plain on the other side. Liothyronine Sodium 10 microgram Tablets are round, white to off-white-colored tablets, debossed with '10' on one side of the tablet and plain on the other side. Liothyronine Sodium 20 microgram Tablets are round, white to off-white-colored tablets, debossed with '20' on one side of the tablet and plain on the other side. Liothyronine Sodium 5, 10 and 20 microgram Tablets are available in blister pack of 14, 28, 56, 112 tablets and bottle pack of 100 tablets. Not all pack sizes are marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Strides Pharma UK Ltd. Unit 4, The Metro Centre, Dwight Road, Watford, WD18 9SS United Kingdom This leaflet was last revised in 03/2025.
Back Side
CMO – ARTWORK DETAIL LABEL MFG. LOCATION
These effects normally mean the dose of the medicine needs changing. You should consult your doctor if they occur. The effects usually go away when the dose has been changed. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side affects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
AG/SP/0886/SL/PI/01
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Information on sodium content This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per dose, i.e. is essentially 'sodium-free'.
- you suffer from increased heart rate sleeplessness, loose watery stools (suggesting increased metabolism) on initiation of treatment, dose reduction would be required
- you are starting treatment, as an ECG test (a recording of the electrical activity of your heart) will be valuable
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you are about to undergo laboratory testing for monitoring your thyroid hormone levels, you must inform your doctor and/or the laboratory personnel that you are taking or have recently taken biotin (also known as vitamin H, vitamin B7 or vitamin B8). Biotin may affect results of your laboratory tests. Depending on the test, the results may be falsely high or falsely low due to biotin. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking biotin before performing laboratory tests. You should also be aware that other products that you may take, such as multivitamins or supplements for hair, skin, and nails could also contain biotin. This could affect the results of laboratory tests. Please inform your doctor and/ or the laboratory personnel, if you are taking such products (see section Other medicines and liothyronine sodium tablets. Speak to your doctor before you take this medicine if any of the above applies to you. Other medicines and Liothyronine Sodium Tablets: Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Liothyronine Sodium Tablets may affect or be affected by the following medicines:
- Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) used to thin the blood and prevent blood clots
- Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine or phenytoin) used to prevent fits
- Insulin and other treatments for diabetes
- Medicines called cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin) used to treat heart conditions such as heart failure
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline / imipramine) used to treat depression
- Colestyramine / colestipol which reduces the level of cholesterol (fats) in the blood
- Oral contraceptives ('the pill')
- Amiodarone, used to treat irregular heart beats
- Barbiturates, used to induce sleep and decrease anxiety
- Primidone, used for seizures or fits.
- If you are taking or have recently taken biotin, you must inform your doctor and/ or the laboratory personnel when you are about to undergo laboratory testing for monitoring your thyroid hormone levels. Biotin may affect results of your laboratory tests (see section Warnings and precautions). Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. The decision on whether it is best to take Liothyronine Sodium Tablets during pregnancy or breast-feeding will be made by your doctor. Driving and using machines Liothyronine Sodium Tablets should not interfere with your ability to drive or use machinery.
1051469
Package leaflet: Information for the user Liothyronine Sodium 5 microgram Tablets Liothyronine Sodium 10 microgram Tablets Liothyronine Sodium 20 microgram Tablets Liothyronine Sodium
NA
Caution to the printer: Before processing, please ensure that the ARTWORK received for printing is exactly in line with APPROVED ARTWORK provided t o you. I n case o f any F ONTS/DESIGN a re M is-matching w ith the APPROVED ARTWORK, p lease i nform SCM / P D for further action. DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGE TO THE ARTWORK WITHOUT WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM SCM / PD. RD/PD/008/F-01/R0
Frequently asked questions about Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets
How do I take Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets?
Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets comes as tablet containing 10mcg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets?
The active substance in Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets is liothyronine sodium.
Are there equivalent medicines to Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Liothyronine Sodium 10 microgram Tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: liothyronine sodium
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Used for the treatment of coma of myxedema, the management of severe chronic thyroid deficiency and hypothyroid states occurring in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.
Liothyronine Sodium can be used also in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis as an adjunct to carbimazole to prevent sub-clinical hypothyroidism developing during treatment.
Liothyronine Sodium may be preferred for treating severe and acute hypothyroid states because of its rapid and more potent effect, but thyroxine sodium is normally the drug of choice for routine replacement therapy.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults: Starting dose of 10 or 20 micrograms every 8 hours, increasing after one week, if necessary, to the usual recommended daily dose of 60 micrograms in two or three divided doses.
Myxedema Coma: 60 micrograms given by stomach tube, then 20 micrograms every 8 hours. It is more usual to start treatment with intravenous liothyronine.
Adjunct to carbimazole treatment of thyrotoxicosis: 20 micrograms every 8 hours.
Elderly and Children Patients: 5 micrograms daily.
Method of Administration: Oral
For patients who have difficulty in swallowing a whole tablet, such as the elderly and young children, a whole tablet may be crushed and allowed to dissolve/disperse in a minimum of 20 mL of water. The entire volume of liquid should be consumed to ensure ingestion of the full dose.
The solubility of liothyronine in water enables this as a method of administration.
If a dose lower than 20 micrograms is required, an appropriate tablet strength should be used.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Patients with angina of effort or cardiovascular diseases and thyrotoxicosis.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
In severe and prolonged hypothyroidism, adrenocortical activity may be decreased. When thyroid replacement therapy is started, metabolism increases more than adrenocortical activity and this can lead to adrenocortical insufficiency requiring supplemental adrenocortical steroids.
Liothyronine rather than levothyroxine would be the replacement therapy of choice during block and replace treatment of thyrotoxicosis with propylthiouracil (PTU) due to the inhibition by PTU of the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
Liothyronine sodium treatment may result in an increase in insulin or anti-diabetic drug requirements. Care is required for patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.
Panhypopituitarism or predisposition to adrenal insufficiency (initiate corticosteroid therapy before starting liothyronine), pregnancy, breast-feeding (see section 4.6 Pregnancy and lactation).
In myxoedema, care must be taken to avoid imposing excessive burden on cardiac muscle affected by prolonged severe thyroid depletion. Particular care is needed in the elderly who have a greater risk of occult cardiovascular disease. Baseline ECG is recommended prior to commencement of liothyronine treatment in order to detect changes consistent with ischaemia. Patients should undergo cardiovascular monitoring, including periodic ECGs, during liothyronine treatment. Liothyronine is contraindicated in established myocardial ischaemia (see section 4.3) in which case, levothyroxine, with cautious dose escalation, is recommended instead.
If metabolism increases too rapidly (causing diarrhoea, nervousness, rapid pulse, insomnia, tremors and sometimes anginal pain where there is latent myocardial ischaemia), reduce dose or withhold for 1-2 days and start again at a lower dose.
TSH levels should be monitored during treatment to reduce the risk of over- or undertreatment. The risks of over-treatment include atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Interferences with laboratory test:
Biotin may interfere with thyroid immunoassays that are based on a biotin/streptavidin interaction, leading to either falsely decreased or falsely increased test results. The risk of interference increases with higher doses of biotin.
When interpreting results of laboratory tests, possible biotin interference has to be taken into consideration, especially if a lack of coherence with the clinical presentation is observed.
For patients taking biotin-containing products, laboratory personnel should be informed when a thyroid function test is requested. Alternative tests not susceptible to biotin interference should be used, if available. (see section 4.5)
Excipients
Information on sodium content
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say is essentially 'sodium free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Liothyronine sodium therapy may potentiate the action of anticoagulants. Phenytoin levels may be increased by liothyronine. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin enhance the metabolism of thyroid hormones and may displace thyroid hormones from plasma proteins. Initiation or discontinuation of anticonvulsant therapy may alter liothyronine dose requirements.
If co-administered with cardiac glycosides, adjustment of dosage of cardiac glycoside may be necessary. Colestyramine and colestipol given concurrently reduces gastrointestinal absorption of liothyronine.
Liothyronine raises blood sugar levels and this may upset the stability of patients receiving antidiabetic agents.
Liothyronine increases receptor sensitivity to catecholamines thus accelerating the response to tricyclic antidepressants. A number of drugs may affect thyroid function tests and this should be borne in mind when monitoring patients on liothyronine therapy.
Co-administration of oral contraceptives may result in an increased dosage requirement of liothyronine sodium.
Amiodarone may inhibit the deiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine resulting in a decreased concentration of triiodothyronine with a rise in the concentration of inactive reverse triiodothyronine.
As with other thyroid hormones, Liothyronine may enhance effects of amitriptyline and effects of imipramine.
Metabolism of thyroid hormones accelerated by barbiturates and primidone (may increase requirements for thyroid hormones in hypothyroidism).
Requirements for thyroid hormones in hypothyroidism may be increased by oestrogens.
Interferences with laboratory test:
Biotin may interfere with thyroid immunoassays that are based on a biotin/streptavidin interaction, leading to either falsely decreased or falsely increased test results (see section 4.4).
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Safety during pregnancy is not known. The risk of foetal congenital abnormalities should be weighed against the risk to the foetus of untreated maternal hypothyroidism.
Breast-feeding
Liothyronine sodium is excreted into breast milk in low concentrations.
This may interfere with neonatal screening programmes.
Fertility
No human or animal data on the effect of active substance liothyronine on fertility are available.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The following effects are indicative of excessive dosage and usually disappear on reduction of dosage or withdrawal of treatment for a day or two.
The undesirable effects are listed below by organ class and the following frequency convention:
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data.
System Organ Class
Frequency
Adverse events
Cardiac disorders
Not known
Anginal pain, cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations, tachycardia
Gastrointestinal disorders
Not known
Diarrhoea, vomiting
General disorders and administration site conditions
Not known
Fever, flushing, fever and heat intolerance
Immune system disorders
Not known
Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus and oedema also reported.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Not known
Excessive loss of weight
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Not known
Muscle cramps, muscular weakness
Nervous system disorders
Not known
Headache, tremor,
Psychiatric disorders
Not known
Restlessness, excitability, insomnia,
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Not known
Sweating
Vascular disorders
Not known
Flushing
Paediatric population
• Transient hair loss in children (Not Known)
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms
If patient is seen within a few hours of overdosage: gastric lavage or emesis.
There may be exaggeration of the side effects as well as agitation, confusion, irritability, hyperactivity, headache, sweating, mydriasis, tachycardia, arrhythmias, tachypnoea, pyrexia, increased bowel movements and convulsions.
Management
Treatment is symptomatic. Tachycardia in adults may be controlled with 40mg propanolol every 6 hours.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Liothyronine sodium. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- NOVOTHYRAL 100/20 micrograme prescription partial — not the same combinationCOMBINATII (LEVOTHYROXINUM+LIOTHYRONINUM) · taken by mouth
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Liothyronine sodium. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- Novothyral partial — not the same combinationLevothyroxinum natricum + Liothyroninum natricum · taken by mouth
- Novothyral 75 partial — not the same combinationLevothyroxinum natricum + Liothyroninum natricum · taken by mouth
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Liothyronine Sodium 10 micrograms Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Medicines containing Liothyronine sodium
- Enolio 10 micrograms / ml Oral Solution
- Liothyronine sodium 10 micrograms Hard Capsules
- Liothyronine sodium 20 micrograms Hard Capsules
- Liothyronine Sodium 20 micrograms Powder for Solution for Injection
- Liothyronine Sodium 20 micrograms Tablets
- Liothyronine sodium 5 micrograms Hard Capsules
- Liothyronine Sodium 5 micrograms Tablets
- Liothyronine Sodium BP 20micrograms Tablets