LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM

65/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by AbbVie Inc.

Levotroxine Sodium Adverse Events: Moderate Safety Concerns

665,570 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM

LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by AbbVie Inc.. Based on analysis of 665,570 FDA adverse event reports, LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM has a safety score of 65 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM include FATIGUE, NAUSEA, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, HEADACHE, DIARRHOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM.

AI Safety Analysis

Levothyroxine Sodium has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 665,570 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Abbvie Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Nausea, Drug Ineffective. Of classified reports, 60.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue and nausea are the most common adverse reactions reported.

Serious adverse events, such as death and pneumonia, account for 60.1% of total reports. Drug ineffectiveness and fall are also frequently reported. The majority of reports are from older adults, with the highest count from those aged 65-77.

Patients taking Levothyroxine Sodium should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Levotroxine sodium can interact with other thyroid medications and may cause hypertension or hypotension. Patients should be monitored for these conditions and informed of potential drug interactions. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 65/100

Levothyroxine Sodium received a safety concern score of 65/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 60.1% serious event ratio across 304,316 classified reports. The score accounts for 665,570 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

FATIGUE25,848 reports
NAUSEA22,026 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE20,555 reports
HEADACHE18,791 reports
DIARRHOEA18,179 reports
DYSPNOEA16,212 reports
PAIN15,930 reports
DIZZINESS15,428 reports
ASTHENIA13,157 reports
ARTHRALGIA12,986 reports
OFF LABEL USE12,914 reports
MALAISE12,117 reports
VOMITING11,624 reports
FALL11,466 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED9,794 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY9,623 reports
RASH9,619 reports
INSOMNIA9,482 reports
PRURITUS9,335 reports
ANXIETY9,028 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED8,896 reports
COUGH8,492 reports
PNEUMONIA8,387 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL8,280 reports
ALOPECIA8,169 reports
PYREXIA7,913 reports
CONSTIPATION7,596 reports
HYPERTENSION7,594 reports
BACK PAIN7,517 reports
DEATH7,310 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED6,847 reports
DEPRESSION6,729 reports
DECREASED APPETITE6,589 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER6,540 reports
CHEST PAIN6,520 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED6,459 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN6,424 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS6,346 reports
PALPITATIONS5,967 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION5,901 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE5,759 reports
MYALGIA5,596 reports
HYPOTENSION5,573 reports
SOMNOLENCE5,566 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS5,357 reports
ANAEMIA5,314 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL5,221 reports
TREMOR5,163 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT5,096 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING4,767 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE4,744 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA4,619 reports
PARAESTHESIA4,611 reports
DEHYDRATION4,608 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY4,431 reports
SINUSITIS4,414 reports
HYPOTHYROIDISM4,346 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY4,289 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS4,268 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED4,241 reports
ERYTHEMA4,229 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS4,214 reports
URTICARIA4,179 reports
JOINT SWELLING4,080 reports
COVID 194,001 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED3,984 reports
ASTHMA3,910 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN3,876 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT3,798 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE3,781 reports
VISION BLURRED3,754 reports
DRUG INTERACTION3,752 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE3,724 reports
CONTUSION3,723 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS3,630 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION3,599 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT3,581 reports
DYSPEPSIA3,579 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION3,476 reports
FLUSHING3,427 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION3,392 reports
BALANCE DISORDER3,389 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION3,332 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT3,330 reports
ARTHRITIS3,241 reports
RENAL FAILURE3,227 reports
DRY MOUTH3,200 reports
CHILLS3,157 reports
MIGRAINE3,157 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE3,154 reports
INFECTION3,146 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS3,071 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED3,066 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED3,061 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT3,030 reports
OROPHARYNGEAL PAIN3,023 reports
BRONCHITIS3,011 reports
DYSPHAGIA2,922 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS2,909 reports
INFLUENZA2,882 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • FATIGUE and NAUSEA are the most common reactions.
  • DEATH and PNEUMONIA are serious adverse events.
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVENESS and FALL are frequently reported.
  • HYPERTENSION and HYPOTENSION are noted, indicating potential cardiovascular effects.
  • DRUG INTERACTIONS are a key safety signal, especially with other thyroid medications.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 230,799, Male: 54,803, Unknown: 433. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (5,296 reports), age 66 (4,883 reports), age 70 (4,865 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 304,316 classified reports for LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM:

  • Serious: 183,040 reports (60.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 121,276 reports (39.9%)
Serious 60.1%Non-Serious 39.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female230,799 (80.7%)
Male54,803 (19.2%)
Unknown433 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 655,296 reports
Age 664,883 reports
Age 704,865 reports
Age 674,863 reports
Age 694,790 reports
Age 644,788 reports
Age 684,784 reports
Age 724,774 reports
Age 634,632 reports
Age 624,623 reports
Age 714,549 reports
Age 744,533 reports
Age 734,509 reports
Age 604,493 reports
Age 614,484 reports
Age 774,416 reports
Age 764,399 reports
Age 754,340 reports
Age 594,275 reports
Age 584,271 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Levotroxine sodium can interact with other thyroid medications and may cause hypertension or hypotension. Patients should be monitored for these conditions and informed of potential drug interactions.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Levothyroxine Sodium, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, nausea, drug ineffective, headache, diarrhoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, especially in older adults. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking to avoid potential drug interactions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Levotroxine sodium for safety. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Levothyroxine Sodium?

The FDA has received approximately 665,570 adverse event reports associated with Levothyroxine Sodium. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Levothyroxine Sodium?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Levothyroxine Sodium include Fatigue, Nausea, Drug Ineffective, Headache, Diarrhoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (25,848 reports), Nausea (22,026 reports), Drug Ineffective (20,555 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Levothyroxine Sodium.

What percentage of Levothyroxine Sodium adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 304,316 classified reports, 183,040 (60.1%) were classified as serious and 121,276 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Levothyroxine Sodium (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Levothyroxine Sodium break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 230,799, Male: 54,803, Unknown: 433. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Levothyroxine Sodium?

The most frequently reported age groups for Levothyroxine Sodium adverse events are: age 65: 5,296 reports, age 66: 4,883 reports, age 70: 4,865 reports, age 67: 4,863 reports, age 69: 4,790 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Levothyroxine Sodium?

The primary manufacturer associated with Levothyroxine Sodium adverse event reports is Abbvie Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Levothyroxine Sodium?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Levothyroxine Sodium include: Dyspnoea, Pain, Dizziness, Asthenia, Arthralgia. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Levothyroxine Sodium?

You can report adverse events from Levothyroxine Sodium to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Levothyroxine Sodium's safety score and what does it mean?

Levothyroxine Sodium has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Fatigue and nausea are the most common adverse reactions reported.

What are the key safety signals for Levothyroxine Sodium?

Key safety signals identified in Levothyroxine Sodium's adverse event data include: FATIGUE and NAUSEA are the most common reactions.. DEATH and PNEUMONIA are serious adverse events.. DRUG INEFFECTIVENESS and FALL are frequently reported.. HYPERTENSION and HYPOTENSION are noted, indicating potential cardiovascular effects.. DRUG INTERACTIONS are a key safety signal, especially with other thyroid medications.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Levothyroxine Sodium interact with other drugs?

Levotroxine sodium can interact with other thyroid medications and may cause hypertension or hypotension. Patients should be monitored for these conditions and informed of potential drug interactions. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Levothyroxine Sodium.

What should patients know before taking Levothyroxine Sodium?

Monitor for signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, especially in older adults. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking to avoid potential drug interactions.

Are Levothyroxine Sodium side effects well-documented?

Levothyroxine Sodium has 665,570 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events, such as death and pneumonia, account for 60.1% of total reports. The volume of reports for Levothyroxine Sodium reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Levothyroxine Sodium?

The FDA continues to monitor Levotroxine sodium for safety. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

Thyroid medicationsAnticoagulantsBeta-blockersCorticosteroidsIodine-containing medications
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.