Liothyronine

  • Brand Name : Cytomel
  • Drug Class : Thyroid Products
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  • 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.

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”

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