From the Research
Liquid Formulation of Levothyroxine (T4)
- A liquid formulation of levothyroxine (T4) is available, as mentioned in studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The liquid formulation has been shown to overcome issues with food and beverage interference with L-T4 tablets absorption, malabsorption induced by increased gastric pH, and malabsorption after bariatric surgery 2.
- The use of liquid L-T4 has been studied in various patient populations, including those with congenital hypothyroidism, and has been found to be safe and non-inferior to tablet formulations 4, 5.
- However, compounded oral liquid formulations of LT4 have been found to have variations in stability and consistency, which may affect their efficacy and reliability 3.
Advantages of Liquid Formulation
- The liquid formulation may be more suitable for patients who have difficulty swallowing solid formulations or who have malabsorption issues 1, 2.
- Liquid L-T4 has been found to have better bioequivalence than tablets in certain patient populations, such as pregnant women, newborns, and infants 2.
- The liquid formulation may also be more convenient for patients who need to take their medication at specific times or in specific amounts.
Therapeutic Equivalence
- Studies have shown that the liquid formulation of L-T4 is therapeutically equivalent to the tablet formulation in patients with overt primary hypothyroidism 5.
- The liquid formulation has been found to have similar efficacy and safety profiles to the tablet formulation, with no significant differences in TSH or free T4 levels 4, 5.