- Brand Name : Cytomel
- Drug Class : Thyroid Products
- Medical Author :
- Medical Reviewer :
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What Is Liothyronine and How Does It Work?
Liothyronine is a prescription medication used for the treatment of hypothyroidism, nontoxic goiter, myxedema, and myxedema coma.
- Liothyronine is available under the following different brand names: Cytomel, Triostat, Liothyronine T3, Thyroid Hormone
What Are Dosages of Liothyronine?
Adult and pediatric dosage
Injectable solution
- 10mcg/mL
Tablet
- 5mcg
- 25mcg
- 50mcg
Hypothyroidism
Adult dosage
- Initial: 25 mcg orally every day; may increase by 25 mcg every 1-2 weeks; not to exceed 100 mcg/day
- Maintenance: 25-75 mcg orally every day
- May use 10-12.5 mcg T3 in combo with T4 (decrease T4 dose by 50 mcg)
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Pediatric dosage
- Initial: 5 mcg orally every day; may increase by 5 mcg every 3-4 days
- Maintenance
- Below 1 year: 20 mcg orally every day
- 1-3 years: 50 mcg orally every day
- Above 3 years: 25-75 mcg orally every day
Nontoxic Goiter
Adult and pediatric dosage
- Initial: 5 mcg orally every day; may increase by 5-10 mcg every 1-2 Weeks (5 mcg in elderly)
- When reaching 25 mcg orally every day, may increase by 12.5 mcg or 25 mcg every 1-2 weeks
- Maintenance: 75 mcg orally every day
Myxedema
Adult dosage
- Initial: 5 mcg PO every day; may increase by 5-10 mcg/day every 1-2 weeks
- When reaching 25 mcg orally every day, may increase by 5-25 mcg every 1-2 weeks
- Maintenance: 50-100 mcg orally every day
Myxedema Coma
Adult dosage
- Initial: 25-50 mcg IV
- Patients with CVD: 10-20 mcg IV
- Doses of at least 65 mcg/day IV associated with lower mortality
- Allow 4-12 hours between doses; not to exceed 12 hours
Geriatric dosage
- 5 mcg/day orally; may increase by 5 mcg/day every 2 weeks
Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:
- See “Dosages”