Ingredients Included in Levoxyl

Levoxyl is a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement for people who produce inadequate amounts of thyroid. This condition is known as "hypothyroidism." The most common type of this condition is known as "Hoshimoto's Disease." Lovoxyl's generic form is known as Levothyroxin. To be effective, the medication must contain specific ingredients.

Synthetic T4 Sodium

• RxList.com indicates the active ingredient in Levoxyl as "synthetic crystalline L-3,3',5,5'- tetraiodothyronine sodium salt [levothyroxine (T4) sodium]." This is more often referred to as "synthetic T4 hormone." This synthetic hormone is the chemical equivalent of naturally occurring T4 hormone produced by our thyroid gland.

Formula

• The chemical formula of synthetic T4 hormone is "C15H10I4N NaO4•H2O." This is the molecular structure of the active ingredient, the amount of which varies. It is measured in micrograms (mcg). Standard doses range from 25mcg and increase to 200mcg.

Binders

• Like most pills, Lovoxyl's active ingredient is added to a binder, which keeps it all together. Lovoxyl utilizes three binders: Microcrystalline Cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and magnesum stearate. While Lovoxyl's active ingredients are determined to be therapeutically equivalant to generic versions by the FDA, binders and additives may differ from those used in Lovoxyl.

Color Additives

• Lovoxyl uses different standard food additives depending on the dose. The color is added as a safety and convenience measure so patients can easily discern between one dose and another as well as between Lovoxyl and other pills. For example, a 25mcg tablet contains FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake. Colors for different doses are yellows, blues and red although 50mcg tablets do not use color additives.