HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What To Do After Accidental Overdose Of Levothyroxine?

default
Posted on Tue, 13 May 2014
Question: Accidentaly I took 900 mcg levothyroxine yesterday.I induced vomiting.Now Iam afraid of toxicity,what to do Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: Need a pulse check Detailed Answer: Hello, Good day. What is your usual dose? Common side effects are palpitations, fast heart beats, heat sensation in body etc. Do you have a heart condition or angina etc any time in the past ? If yes, meet your GP fast to do a pulse check up and may be an ECG as well. If you have a fast heart beat etc, your GP may give you a pill to slow down your heart rate. If you have vomited out tablets, dont worry. Avoid your usual dose of levothyroxine for 4-5 days. The excess dose should be out of your system in the next few days. Dont panic. It is a good idea to visit your GP and get a pulse check up. Regards XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)
my heart rate stays from 90 to 100. I will continue to watch. I do not have any other symptom for now. My usual Levthyroxine dose is 150 mcg. I took 900 mcg accidentally on april 22 nd morning. How many days it will take for me to be normal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Not too bad Detailed Answer: Hello Good morning. So you took 6 days dose on a single day. you shouldn't take levothyroxine for the next 6 to 7 days. The half life of levothyroxine is around 7 to 10 days and it might take about 10 days or so to get out of system completely. But since you have hypothyroidism, your blood levels will fall low if you avoid medicine for a long time. Best way would be to stop tablets for 6 days and restart it then. keep watching your pulse. Occasionally we tend to give a week's full dose in a single day for people who have compliance issue. So don't worry. You will be okay. Regards Binu
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1438 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What To Do After Accidental Overdose Of Levothyroxine?

Brief Answer: Need a pulse check Detailed Answer: Hello, Good day. What is your usual dose? Common side effects are palpitations, fast heart beats, heat sensation in body etc. Do you have a heart condition or angina etc any time in the past ? If yes, meet your GP fast to do a pulse check up and may be an ECG as well. If you have a fast heart beat etc, your GP may give you a pill to slow down your heart rate. If you have vomited out tablets, dont worry. Avoid your usual dose of levothyroxine for 4-5 days. The excess dose should be out of your system in the next few days. Dont panic. It is a good idea to visit your GP and get a pulse check up. Regards XXXXXXX