Cytomel

(liothyronine)

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Replaces thyroid hormones.

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Our bottom line

Cytomel (liothyronine) is good add-on treatment of underactive thyroid if your symptoms have not been controlled on other therapies.

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    $24.50
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    $13.40
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Quick facts about Cytomel
  • Drug class: Endocrine
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (liothyronine)

Upsides

  • Acts faster than other thyroid hormone replacement therapies.
  • Safe to use during pregnancy.
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What to expect from Cytomel, on one page

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Downsides

  • More expensive than other thyroid hormone replacement therapies.
  • Requires frequent dose adjustments when you first start taking Cytomel (liothyronine). Periodic blood tests are needed to make sure you're getting the right dose.
  • Causes more harm to your heart than other thyroid replacement therapies.
  • Safe to use if you're allergic to other thyroid hormones made from animal products.
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What to expect from Cytomel, on one page

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How it works

Cytomel (liothyronine) is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. These hormones are important for body metabolism, growth, and development.

Quick facts about Cytomel
  • Drug class: Endocrine
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (liothyronine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
Tried Cytomel? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Cytomel (liothyronine) for Hypothyroidism

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Sweating
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Irregular menstrual periods
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Side effect rates for Cytomel (liothyronine)

Risks and Warnings for Cytomel (liothyronine)

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  • Don't take Cytomel (liothyronine) for weight loss or obesity. It’s not safe nor effective for this use, especially if your thyroid levels are normal. Taking high doses of Cytomel (liothyronine) can harm your heart, especially when combined with other weight loss medications.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Cytomel (liothyronine)

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Food
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Cytomelon 8/25/2017Food and caffeine interfere with absorption. Also best dosed multiple times a day as it has a very short half life.
    46
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Hypothyroidism
Weight
  • Don't take Cytomel (liothyronine) for weight loss or obesity. It’s not safe nor effective for this use, especially if your thyroid levels are normal. Taking high doses of Cytomel (liothyronine) can harm your heart, especially when combined with other weight loss medications.