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Drug Interactions between Cytomel and Triostat

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between Cytomel and Triostat. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Cytomel

A total of 232 drugs are known to interact with Cytomel.

Triostat

A total of 232 drugs are known to interact with Triostat.

Drug and food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate

liothyronine food/lifestyle

Applies to: Cytomel (liothyronine) and Triostat (liothyronine)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration of calcium-containing products may decrease the oral bioavailability of levothyroxine by one-third in some patients. Pharmacologic effects of levothyroxine may be reduced. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve nonspecific adsorption of levothyroxine to calcium at acidic pH levels, resulting in an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In one study, 20 patients with hypothyroidism who were taking a stable long-term regimen of levothyroxine demonstrated modest but significant decreases in mean free and total thyroxine (T4) levels as well as a corresponding increase in mean thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH) level following the addition of calcium carbonate (1200 mg/day of elemental calcium) for 3 months. Four patients had serum TSH levels that were higher than the normal range. Both T4 and TSH levels returned to near-baseline 2 months after discontinuation of calcium, which further supported the likelihood of an interaction. In addition, there have been case reports suggesting decreased efficacy of levothyroxine during calcium coadministration. It is not known whether this interaction occurs with other thyroid hormone preparations.

MANAGEMENT: Some experts recommend separating the times of administration of levothyroxine and calcium-containing preparations by at least 4 hours. Monitoring of serum TSH levels is recommended. Patients with gastrointestinal or malabsorption disorders may be at a greater risk of developing clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism due to this interaction.

References (4)
  1. Schneyer CR (1998) "Calcium carbonate and reduction of levothyroxine efficacy." JAMA, 279, p. 750
  2. Singh N, Singh PN, Hershman JM (2000) "Effect of calcium carbonate on the absorption of levothyroxine." JAMA, 283, p. 2822-5
  3. Csako G, McGriff NJ, Rotman-Pikielny P, Sarlis NJ, Pucino F (2001) "Exaggerated levothyroxine malabsorption due to calcium carbonate supplementation in gastrointestinal disorders." Ann Pharmacother, 35, p. 1578-83
  4. Neafsey PJ (2004) "Levothyroxine and calcium interaction: timing is everything." Home Healthc Nurse, 22, p. 338-9

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Thyroid hormones

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'thyroid hormones' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'thyroid hormones' category:

  • Cytomel (liothyronine)
  • Triostat (liothyronine)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.


Report options

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.