Hyperthyroidism, tailor-made liquid therapy
L’Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) has approved the marketing of a new formulation of liquid levothyroxine, alcohol-free and with a pharmaceutical form that allows for tailored/customized dosing for each patient. The new drug, in Band A, (TIfactor, Savio Pharma) arrived in pharmacies in all Italian regions during October. TIfactor is indicated for the treatment of hypothyroidism (congenital or acquired), diffuse nontoxic goiter, goiter associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in suppressive therapy in thyroid cancer.
Many steps forward in treatment
In the treatment of hypothyroidism, in recent years, many strides have been made in making available formulations of levothyroxine sodium, the reference drug for this condition, that better meet the needs of patients and capable of improving their therapeutic adherence, a fundamental requirement for a therapy that having to be taken for life should – ideally – be as simple as drinking a glass of water.
Hypothyroidism treatment is consolidated
“The treatment of hypothyroidism has been well-established – now for more than 60 years since its first use in 1953 – and is based on the use of levothyroxine,” – explains Paolo Vitti, Director Endocrinology – University of Pisa Hospital Company and Past President SIE, Italian Society of Endocrinology. “Today there are different formulations available: tablets, gel capsules and liquid solution.
Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach and one should wait for half an hour before being able to have breakfast so that the drug is completely dissolved and absorbed without interference given by the introduction of food or drink that could counteract the absorption of the active ingredient.
The liquid formulation is more easily absorbed and offers benefits for people with gastritis, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, Helicobacter Pylori infections, or those taking medications that may interfere with and slow gastric absorption of the active ingredient.”.
Another difficulty with levothyroxine therapy
Another difficulty with levothyroxine therapy is finding the correct dosage, which, for each patient, must be individualized according to characteristics and status: age, weight, gender, planning for motherhood, menopause, comorbidities, and a whole host of other characteristics. It is a difficult phase, patients know this well, who often take several months, sometimes years, to arrive at the correct dosage, precisely because even slight variations in the drug, either in excess or in deficiency, can create so many disorders. “We are in fact talking about small amounts, micrograms, of a hormone so crucial to the health, functional balance and well-being of patients. The new drug, through the use of a syringe for oral administration (included in the drug package) allows the delivery of the personalized dose of levothyroxine,” continues Paolo Vitti.
“When the thyroid doesn’t work, the whole body goes into distress,” – concludes Paolo Vitti. “The thyroid contributes to regulating metabolic processes, cardiac contractility, vessel tone, cholesterol levels, body weight, muscle strength, skin and hair trophism, eyesight, menstrual rhythm, mental state and many other functions: a true engine that must work at its best to keep the body in perfect balance.”.