Eltroxin contains levothyroxine sodium, a synthetic thyroid hormone used as endocrine replacement therapy, and is registered in 19 countries across a notably mixed geographic spread. Rather than concentrating in one region, the brand appears in markets as varied as India, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Egypt — a footprint that reflects how universal the underlying clinical need is.
The active ingredient, levothyroxine sodium, is classified within thyroid therapy and is used to replenish a deficiency of thyroid hormone. Eltroxin is prescribed for hypothyroidism in adults and for acquired hypothyroidism in children. The structured indication list further down this page details the registered uses in each market where the brand is sold, and reflects the long-established role of levothyroxine as a foundational endocrine replacement therapy.
Because levothyroxine itself is one of the most widely prescribed molecules in the world, travellers and expatriates will typically find a local equivalent wherever they go — but it will not always be branded Eltroxin. In some countries the brand is well known and stocked routinely; in others the same molecule is dispensed under a different brand name or as a generic. A pharmacist in the destination market can confirm which products on the local shelf contain levothyroxine sodium.
Thyroid hormone replacement is a therapy where consistency of product matters more than with many other medications, since dosing is fine-tuned over time using blood tests. Patients who are stable on Eltroxin and need to continue treatment abroad should treat any switch as a clinical decision rather than a logistical one — coordination with a healthcare provider, ideally before travelling, is the appropriate path.
Symptoms
In most cases there will be no features. Signs of an overdose may include: fever, chest pain (angina), racing or irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, headache, restlessness, flushing, sweating, diarrhoea, tremor, insomnia and hyperpyrexia. These signs can take up to 5 days to appear. Atrial fibrillation may develop. Convulsions occurred in one child. There may be increased toxicity in those with pre-existing heart disease.
Management:
Give oral activated charcoal if more than 10mg has been ingested by an adult or more than 5mg by a child, within 1 hour. If more than 10mg has been ingested by an adult or more than 5mg by a child, take blood 6-12 hours after ingestion for measurement of the free thyroxine concentration. The analysis does not need to be done urgently but can wait until the first working day after the incident. Patients with normal free thyroxine concentrations do not require follow up. Those with high concentrations should have outpatient review 3-6 days after ingestion to detect delayed onset hyperthyroidism. Features of clinical hyperthyroidism should be controlled with beta-blockers, e.g. propranolol.
36 months for polypropylene containers.
24 months for blister packs.
None known.
Sodium Citrate BP
Lactose BP
Maize starch BP
Powdered acacia BP
Magnesium Stearate BP
No further data of relevance.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Thyroid hormones
ATC Code: H03AA01
Eltroxin is a tablet containing the hydrated form of Levothyroxine sodium which is used for the treatment of hypothyroidism. The Thyroid gland is dependant upon 2 active principles for it's main hormone activity. These are Levothyroxine (Tetraiodothyronine) and Tri-iodothyronine (see Goodman and Gilman, 1985). These closely related iodine containing amino acids are incorporated into the glycoprotein thyroglobulin. The chief action of these hormones is to increase the rate of cell metabolism. Levothyroxine is deiodinated in peripheral tissues to form Tri-iodothyronine which is thought to be active tissue form of thyroid hormone. Tri-iodothyronine is certainly more rapid acting and has shorter duration of action than Levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine sodium is incompletely and variably absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It is almost completely bound to plasma proteins and has a half-life in the circulation of about a week in healthy subjects, but longer during pregnancy in patients with myxoedema. A large portion of the Levothyroxine leaving the circulation is taken up by the liver. Part of a dose of Levothyroxine is metabolised to triiodothyronine. Levothyroxine is excreted in the urine as free drug, deiodinated metabolites and conjugates. Some Levothyroxine is excreted in the faeces. There is limited placental transfer of Levothyroxine.
24/05/2018
Mercury Pharma Group Ltd
Capital House, 85 King William Street,
London EC4N 7BL, UK
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.
Polypropylene container with tamper-evident low density polyethylene lid, containing 28, 56, 112, 100 or 1000 Eltroxin 100mcg tablets.
Blister packaging PVC/PVDC film (heat treated foil/heat seal lacquer) containing 28, 56 and 112 Eltroxin 100mcg tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
PL 10972/0032
No special requirements for disposal.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
28/04/2010
Eltroxin is prescribed for hypothyroidism, including acquired hypothyroidism in children. It belongs to the category of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, used when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient hormone on its own. The structured indication block further down this page lists each registered use as recognised in the markets where Eltroxin is sold, and reflects the long-established role of levothyroxine in endocrine therapy.
Eltroxin contains levothyroxine sodium, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine used as endocrine replacement therapy. Levothyroxine is one of the most widely prescribed molecules in the world and circulates internationally under a number of different brand names. The same active ingredient may appear on pharmacy shelves abroad with packaging and labelling quite different from what a patient is familiar with at home.
Eltroxin is registered in 19 countries, spread across several regions rather than concentrated in one. Examples include India, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Egypt, Israel, Colombia, and the Philippines. If your destination is not on this list, levothyroxine itself is available in essentially every regulated pharmaceutical market in the world, and a local pharmacist can confirm which brand names correspond to it.
Levothyroxine sodium is sold under numerous brand names worldwide and is one of the most commonly dispensed prescription molecules globally. Different brands can vary subtly in formulation, and many endocrinologists prefer that patients stay on a consistent product once stabilised. To identify a local levothyroxine-containing product, search the active ingredient on Pill2Trip or ask a pharmacist in the destination country.
Yes. Thyroid hormone replacement is highly individualised and is normally adjusted using blood tests over time, so it is not a therapy to start, stop, or switch independently. This is especially relevant for travellers and people relocating between countries, since brand availability and even formulation details can differ. Any decision involving Eltroxin or a substitute levothyroxine product should be made with a healthcare provider familiar with the patient.
