Liothyronine Sodium

Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are indicated as a replacement therapy in primary (thyroidal), secondary (pituitary), and tertiary (hypothalamic) congenital or acquired hypothyroidism.

Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are indicated as an adjunct to surgery and radioiodine therapy in the management of well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are indicated as a diagnostic agent in suppression tests to differentiate suspected mild hyperthyroidism or thyroid gland autonomy.

Limitations of Use

• Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are not indicated for suppression of benign thyroid nodules and nontoxic diffuse goiter in iodine-sufficient patients as there are no clinical benefits and overtreatment with Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP may induce hyperthyroidism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
• Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are not indicated for treatment of hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis.

The dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP for hypothyroidism or pituitary Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (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 (2.2, 2.3, 2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5), and Drug Interactions (7)] . Dosing must be individualized to account for these factors and dose adjustments made based on periodic assessment of the patient's clinical response and laboratory parameters [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Administer Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP orally once daily.

Adults
The recommended starting dosage is 25 mcg orally once daily. Increase the dose by 25 mcg daily every 1 or 2 weeks, if needed. The usual maintenance dose is 25 mcg to 75 mcg once daily. 

For elderly patients or patients with underlying cardiac disease, start with Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP 5 mcg once daily and increase by 5 mcg increments at the recommended intervals. 

Serum TSH is not a reliable measure of liothyronine sodium dose adequacy in patients with secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism and should not be used to monitor therapy. Use the serum T3 level to monitor adequacy of therapy in this patient population.

Pediatric Patients
The recommended starting dosage is 5 mcg once daily, with a 5 mcg increase every 3 to 4 days until the desired response is achieved. Infants a few months old may require 20 mcg once daily for maintenance. At 1 year of age, 50 mcg once daily may be required. Above 3 years of age, the full adult dosage may be necessary [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Newborns (0 to 3 months) at Risk for Cardiac Failure:
Consider a lower starting dose in infants at risk for cardiac failure. Increase the dose as needed based on clinical and laboratory response.

Pediatric Patients at Risk for Hyperactivity:
To minimize the risk of hyperactivity in pediatric patients, start at one-fourth the recommended full replacement dose, and increase on a weekly basis by one-fourth the full recommended replacement dose until the full recommended replacement dose is reached.

Pregnancy
Pre-existing Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormone dose requirements may increase during pregnancy. Measure serum TSH and free-T4 as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and, at minimum, during each trimester of pregnancy. In patients with primary hypothyroidism, maintain serum TSH in the trimester-specific reference range. For patients with serum TSH above the normal trimester-specific range, increase the dose of thyroid hormone and measure TSH every 4 weeks until a stable dose is reached and serum TSH is within the normal trimester-specific range. Reduce thyroid hormone dosage to pre-pregnancy levels immediately after delivery and measure serum TSH levels 4 to 8 weeks postpartum to ensure thyroid hormone dose is appropriate.

The dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP should target TSH levels within the desired therapeutic range. This may require higher doses, depending on the target level for TSH suppression.

The recommended dose is 75 mcg to 100 mcg daily for 7 days, with radioactive iodine uptake being determined before and after the 7 day administration of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP. If thyroid function is normal, the radioiodine uptake will drop significantly after treatment. A 50% or greater suppression of uptake indicates a normal thyroid-pituitary axis.

Liothyronine sodium has a rapid onset of action and residual effects of the other thyroid preparation may persist for the first several weeks after initiating liothyronine sodium therapy. When switching a patient to Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP, discontinue levothyroxine therapy and initiate Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP at a low dosage. Gradually increase the liothyronine sodium dose according to the patient's response.

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 Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP 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 periodically after initiation of the therapy or any change in dose. To check the immediate response to therapy before the TSH has had a chance to respond or if your patient's status needs to be assessed prior to that point, measurement of total T3 would be most appropriate. In patients on a stable and appropriate replacement dose, evaluate clinical and biochemical response every 6 to 12 months and whenever there is a change in the patient's clinical status.

Pediatrics
In pediatric patients with hypothyroidism, assess the adequacy of replacement therapy by measuring serum TSH and T3 levels. For pediatric patients three years of age and older, the recommended monitoring is every 3 to 12 months thereafter, following dose stabilization until growth and puberty are 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.

While 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 TSH to decrease below 20 IU per liter after initiation of liothyronine sodium therapy may indicate the child is not receiving adequate therapy. Assess compliance, dose of medication administered, and method of administration prior to increasing the dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Secondary and Tertiary Hypothyroidism
Monitor serum T3 levels and maintain in the normal range.

Overtreatment with thyroid hormone may cause an increase in heart rate, cardiac wall thickness, and cardiac contractility and may precipitate angina or arrhythmias, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease and in elderly patients. Initiate liothyronine sodium therapy in this population at lower doses than those recommended in younger individuals or in patients without cardiac disease [see  Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].

Monitor for cardiac arrhythmias during surgical procedures in patients with coronary artery disease receiving suppressive liothyronine sodium therapy. Monitor patients receiving concomitant Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP and sympathomimetic agents for signs and symptoms of coronary insufficiency. If cardiovascular symptoms develop or worsen, reduce or withhold the liothyronine sodium dose for one week and restart at a lower dose.

Myxedema coma is a life-threatening emergency characterized by poor circulation and hypometabolism, and may result in unpredictable absorption of thyroid hormone from the gastrointestinal tract. Use of oral thyroid hormone drug products is not recommended to treat myxedema coma. Administer thyroid hormone products formulated for intravenous administration to treat myxedema coma.

Thyroid hormone increases metabolic clearance of glucocorticoids. Initiation of thyroid hormone therapy prior to initiating glucocorticoid therapy may precipitate an acute adrenal crisis in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Treat patients with adrenal insufficiency with replacement glucocorticoids prior to initiating treatment with Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP [see Contraindications (4)].

Liothyronine sodium has a narrow therapeutic index. Over- or undertreatment with liothyronine sodium may have negative effects on growth and development, cardiovascular function, bone metabolism, reproductive function, cognitive function, emotional state, gastrointestinal function, and on glucose and lipid metabolism. Titrate the dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP carefully and monitor response to titration to avoid these effects [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] . Monitor for the presence of drug or food interactions when using Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP and adjust the dose as necessary [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Addition of thyroid hormone therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP  [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Increased bone resorption and decreased bone mineral density may occur as a result of thyroid hormone over-replacement, particularly in post-menopausal women. The increased bone resorption may be associated with increased serum levels and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorous, elevations in bone alkaline phosphatase, and suppressed serum parathyroid hormone levels. Administer the minimum dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP that achieves the desired clinical and biochemical response to mitigate against this risk.

Many drugs can exert effects on thyroid hormone pharmacokinetics (e.g. absorption, synthesis, secretion, catabolism, protein binding, and target tissue response) and may alter the therapeutic response to liothyronine sodium (see Tables 1 - 4).

Addition of liothyronine sodium therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control, especially when Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are started, changed, or discontinued [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Liothyronine sodium increases the response to oral anticoagulant therapy. Therefore, a decrease in the dose of anticoagulant may be warranted with correction of the hypothyroid state or when the liothyronine sodium dose is increased. Closely monitor coagulation tests to permit appropriate and timely dosage adjustments.

Liothyronine sodium may reduce the therapeutic effects of digitalis glycosides. Serum digitalis glycoside levels may be decreased when a hypothyroid patient becomes euthyroid, necessitating an increase in the dose of digitalis glycosides.

Concurrent use of tricyclic (e.g., amitriptyline) or tetracyclic (e.g., maprotiline) antidepressants and liothyronine sodium may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased receptor sensitivity to catecholamines. Toxic effects may include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and central nervous system stimulation. Liothyronine sodium may accelerate the onset of action of tricyclics. Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on liothyronine sodium may result in increased liothyronine sodium requirements.

Concurrent use of ketamine and liothyronine sodium may produce marked hypertension and tachycardia. Closely monitor blood pressure and heart rate in these patients.

Concurrent use of sympathomimetics and liothyronine sodium may increase the effects of sympathomimetics or thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones may increase the risk of coronary insufficiency when sympathomimetic agents are administered to patients with coronary artery disease.

Concurrent use of tyrosine-kinase inhibitors such as imatinib may cause hypothyroidism. Closely monitor TSH levels in such patients.

Consider changes in TBG concentration when interpreting T4 and T3 values. Measure and evaluate unbound (free) hormone in this circumstance. Pregnancy, infectious hepatitis, estrogens, estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, and acute intermittent porphyria increase TBG concentrations. Nephrosis, severe hypoproteinemia, severe liver disease, acromegaly, androgens and corticosteroids decrease TBG concentration. Familial hyper- or hypo-thyroxine binding globulinemias have been described, with the incidence of TBG deficiency approximating 1 in 9000.

Risk Summary
Limited published studies report that liothyronine is present in human milk. However, there is insufficient information to determine the effects of liothyronine on the breastfed infant and no available information on the effects of liothyronine on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for liothyronine sodium and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from liothyronine sodium or from the underlying maternal condition.

The initial dose of Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP varies with age and body weight. Dosing adjustments are based on an assessment of the individual patient's clinical and laboratory parameters [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4)].

In pediatric patients in whom a diagnosis of permanent hypothyroidism has not been established, discontinue thyroid hormone for a trial period, but only after the child is at least 3 years of age. Obtain serum TSH, T4, and T3 levels at the end of the trial period, and use laboratory test results and clinical assessments to guide diagnosis and treatment, if warranted [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Congenital Hypothyroidism [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.6)]
Rapid restoration of normal serum T4 concentrations is essential for preventing the adverse effects of congenital hypothyroidism on intellectual development as well as on overall physical growth and maturation. Therefore, initiate thyroid hormone immediately upon diagnosis. Thyroid hormone is generally continued for life in these patients.

Closely monitor infants during the first 2 weeks of thyroid hormone therapy for cardiac overload, arrhythmias, and aspiration from avid suckling.

Closely monitor patients to avoid undertreatment or overtreatment. Undertreatment may have deleterious effects on intellectual development and linear growth. Overtreatment is associated with craniosynostosis in infants, may adversely affect the tempo of brain maturation, and may accelerate the bone age and result in premature epiphyseal closure and compromised adult stature [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) and Adverse Reactions (6)].

Acquired Hypothyroidism in Pediatric Patients
Closely monitor patients to avoid undertreatment and overtreatment. Undertreatment may result in poor school performance due to impaired concentration and slowed mentation and in reduced adult height. Overtreatment may accelerate the bone age and result in premature epiphyseal closure and compromised adult stature.

Treated children may manifest a period of catch-up growth, which may be adequate in some cases to normalize adult height. In children with severe or prolonged hypothyroidism, catch-up growth may not be adequate to normalize adult height [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

Because of the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the elderly, initiate Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP at less than the full replacement dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and  Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Atrial arrhythmias can occur in elderly patients. Atrial fibrillation is the most common of the arrhythmias observed with thyroid hormone overtreatment in the elderly.

Thyroid hormones exert their physiologic actions through control of DNA transcription and protein synthesis. Triiodothyronine (T3) and L-thyroxine (T4) diffuse into the cell nucleus and bind to thyroid receptor proteins attached to DNA. This hormone nuclear receptor complex activates gene transcription and synthesis of messenger RNA and cytoplasmic proteins.

The physiological actions of thyroid hormones are produced predominantly by T3, the majority of which (approximately 80%) is derived from T4 by deiodination in peripheral tissues.

The onset of activity of liothyronine sodium occurs within a few hours. Maximum pharmacologic response occurs within 2 or 3 days.

Absorption

T3 is almost totally absorbed, 95 percent in 4 hours. The hormones contained in the natural preparations are absorbed in a manner similar to the synthetic hormones.

Distribution

Liothyronine sodium (T3) is not firmly bound to serum protein. The higher affinity of levothyroxine (T4) for both thyroid-binding globulin and thyroid-binding prealbumin as compared to triiodothyronine (T3) partially explains the higher serum levels and longer half-life of the former hormone. Both protein-bound hormones exist in reverse equilibrium with minute amounts of free hormone, the latter accounting for  the metabolic activity.

Elimination

Metabolism

The major pathway of thyroid hormone metabolism is through sequential deiodination. Approximately 80% of circulating T3 is derived from peripheral T4 by monodeiodination. The liver is the major site of degradation for both T4 and T3. T3 is further deiodinated to diiodothyronine. Thyroid hormones are also metabolized via conjugation with glucuronides and sulfates and excreted directly into the bile and gut where they undergo enterohepatic recirculation.

Excretion

Thyroid hormones are primarily eliminated by the kidneys. A portion of the conjugated hormone reaches the colon unchanged and is eliminated in the feces. The biological half-life is about 2-1/2 days.

Animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential or effects on fertility of liothyronine sodium.

Store between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).

Dosing and Administration

• Instruct patients that Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP should only be taken as directed by their healthcare provider.
• Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider should they become pregnant or breastfeeding or are thinking of becoming pregnant, while taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP.

Important Information

• Inform patients that the liothyronine in Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP are intended to replace a hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Generally replacement therapy is to be taken for life.
• Inform patients that Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP should not be used as a primary or adjunctive therapy in a weight control program.
• Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are taking any other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter preparations.
• Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider of any other medical conditions, particularly heart disease, diabetes, clotting disorders, and adrenal or pituitary gland problems, as the dose of medications used to control these other conditions may need to be adjusted while taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP. If patients are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), their clotting status should be checked frequently.
• Instruct patients to notify their physician or dentist if they are taking Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP prior to any surgery.

Adverse Reactions

• Instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following symptoms: rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives or skin rash, or any other unusual medical event [see Adverse Reactions (6)] .
• Inform patients that partial hair loss may occur rarely during the first few months of liothyronine sodium therapy; this is usually temporary [see Adverse Reactions (6)] .