Armour Thyroid - Important Safety Information
Armour Thyroid is a desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) containing T3 and T4 thyroid hormones and is used to treat hypothyroidism.
DTE products, including Armour Thyroid, have not been reviewed by FDA to ensure safety and efficacy.
Use
ARMOUR® THYROID (thyroid tablets, USP) for oral use is a prescription of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) obtained from pig thyroid.
ARMOUR THYROID is used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism of any cause in patients of any age (children, adults, the elderly). It is meant to replace the thyroid hormones made by your thyroid gland. Generally, thyroid replacement treatment is to be taken for life.
ARMOUR THYROID is also used to suppress a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the treatment or prevention of various types of thyroid growths, including thyroid nodules, subacute or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's), and multinodular goiter, as well as in the management of thyroid cancer.
Important Safety Information
- Thyroid hormones, including ARMOUR THYROID, should not be used either alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of obesity or weight loss. In patients with normal thyroid levels, doses of ARMOUR THYROID used daily for hormone replacement are not helpful for weight loss. Larger doses may result in serious or even life-threatening events, especially when used in combination with certain other drugs used to reduce appetite.
- Do not use ARMOUR THYROID if you have uncorrected lack of adrenal hormones, excess of thyroid hormones, or apparent allergies to any of the active or inactive ingredients of ARMOUR THYROID.
- Use ARMOUR THYROID only as ordered by your doctor. Taking too much or too little ARMOUR THYROID may lead to negative effects on growth and development, heart function, bone health, reproductive function, mental health, and digestive function, as well as changes in blood sugar and cholesterol metabolism, in adult or pediatric patients.
- Taking too much ARMOUR THYROID may affect your heart, especially if you are elderly or have heart disease. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any signs of increased heart rate, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have, especially diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and adrenal gland problems. The dose of other drugs you may be taking to control these conditions may have to be changed while you are taking ARMOUR THYROID. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels and/or the glucose in your urine, as ordered by your doctor, and immediately tell your doctor if there are any changes.
- If you are taking blood thinners, your blood clotting status should be checked often.
- In infants, excessive doses of ARMOUR THYROID may produce a condition called craniosynostosis (premature closure of the head bones).
- Partial hair loss may occur during the first few months you are taking ARMOUR THYROID.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter products.
- Once your doctor has found your specific ARMOUR THYROID dose, it is important to have periodic lab tests and clinical evaluations to assess your treatment response.
This is the most important safety information you should know about ARMOUR THYROID. For more information, talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/PatientAccessSupport to learn more.
