Triostat

Triostat is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone (T3). It is used to treat myxedema coma (life-threatening symptoms caused by low thyroid hormone in the body).

Triostat injection is given in an emergency situation when a rapid effect is required. It works by supplementing a natural thyroid hormone in the body.

It may also be used in other condition as determined by your doctor. It is available in the form of a solution and injectable form and only with your doctor’s prescription.

If you are about to start using Triostat, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: There are no adequate studies done which prove Liothyronine harmful effects in children. Use it after consulting your doctor.

Elderly: They are more sensitive to its effects. The elderly patient should use it cautiously. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you have any age-related heart or blood vessels problem.

Pregnancy: Liothyronine is a category A drug. It is safe in pregnancy. It causes no harm to an unborn baby. Inform your doctor that you are pregnant he may want to increase your dose.

Breast Feeding: Liothyronine can pass into breast milk, but cause no harm to the baby. Inform your doctor about breastfeeding, he may change your dose of levothyroxine during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Liothyronine interacts with many drugs. It should not be used with several drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicine which you are taking he/she may change your dosage or drug.

Some of the drugs are listed below:

• Estrogen or oral contraceptives (birth control pills) because they may decrease Liothyronine's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (Warfarin)
• Ketamine
• Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline)
• Vasopressors (epinephrine) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Liothyronine
• Insulin, oral hypoglycemic (Glipizide), or digitalis glycosides (Digoxin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Liothyronine

Other Medical Problem: Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid), Liothyronine should not be given in this condition
• Clotting disorder
• Diabetes
• Heart diseases
• Hypogonadism (under active testis or ovaries)
• Adrenal gland disorder
• Underactive pituitary gland, dosage adjustment may be needed

To use Triostat properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Drug dose is different for different people based on body weight.

You should follow your doctor’s direction. The following information is an average dose of this drug.

For injection dosage form:

Adults: 25 to 50 mcg (microgram) injected into a vein. Next dose is given every 4 to 12 hours apart.

It is given in low dose (10 to 20 mcg) in patients who has the cardiovascular disorder. 

In children, the dose is determined by a doctor.

Before using Triostat, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. It should not be used for the treatment of obesity or weight loss. It is not helpful in reducing weight. It can cause serious harm if taken in large doses.

Check with your doctor if you experience trembling or shaking of hands, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, headache, change in appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, increased sweating and sensitivity to heat, increased heart rate, chest pain and shortness of breath.

These symptoms may mean that your dose needs to be adjusted. Do not adjust your dose or stop taking Liothyronine without checking with your doctor. Triostat can be used to treat infertility only if it is caused by hypothyroidism.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Triostat to avoid unwanted potential side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

Less common are:

• Bluish color
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain or discomfort or heaviness
• Confusion
• Decreased urine output
• Dilated neck veins
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• Extreme fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Irregular breathing
• Pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck
• Pain, tenderness, swelling of foot or leg
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• Troubled breathing
• Unconscious
• Vomiting
• Wheezing

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.