Interactions with Synthroid: A look at food, drinks, and additional factors
Synthroid, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism and certain types of thyroid cancer, can interact with various substances, medical conditions, and other drugs. It's crucial to be aware of these potential interactions to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Some medical conditions and factors may increase the risk of interactions with Synthroid. These include diabetes, heart problems, being age 65 years or older, untreated adrenal insufficiency, pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergic reactions, and having gone through menopause. If you have adrenal insufficiency, your doctor may give you treatments for your condition before prescribing Synthroid.
When it comes to supplements, Synthroid is generally safe to take with supplements that may help with arthritis, such as ashwagandha, collagen, or turmeric. However, biotin supplements may cause inaccurate thyroid hormone test results.
There's no known interaction between Synthroid and supplements like CBD or cannabis, although the evidence is not extensive. CBD can influence liver enzymes, which may affect metabolism of some drugs. However, Synthroids' main metabolism is by deiodination, not by cytochrome P450, reducing the risk of metabolic interaction. Still, monitoring thyroid function tests when starting or stopping cannabis or CBD may be prudent.
Synthroid is believed to be safe to take with Benadryl and Cipro, as there's no known interaction between these two drugs. However, Synthroid can reduce the level of certain hormones in the body, which could worsen adrenal insufficiency.
It's important to inform your doctor and pharmacist about any medications, supplements, herbs, or vitamins you are taking to prevent interactions with Synthroid. You should also read the Synthroid label and other accompanying materials for any warnings or interaction information.
Taking Synthroid on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before your first meal of the day, is recommended for optimal absorption. No lab tests have been reported to interact with Synthroid.
Synthroid may interact with several other drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, diabetes drugs, corticosteroids, bile acid sequestrants, proton pump inhibitors, phosphate binders, ion exchange resins, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, certain oral birth control drugs, certain seizure drugs, sucralfate, orlistat, furosemide, rifampin, amiodarone, warfarin, digoxin, ketamine, and other medications.
Untreated adrenal insufficiency is a contraindication for Synthroid, meaning doctors typically will not prescribe it. Synthroid may cause low bone density (weakened bones) as a side effect, and the risk of this side effect may be highest in females who have gone through menopause.
Certain foods and drinks, such as grapefruit, soy-based flour, cottonseed flour, walnuts, high fiber foods, caffeinated coffee, foods or drinks that contain calcium, and cannabis or CBD products, could decrease the level of Synthroid in the body, making it less effective.
An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Vaccines and Synthroid have not been reported to interact with each other. Synthroid may be used in combination with certain other thyroid cancer treatments.
In summary, while Synthroid may interact with several substances, it is generally safe to take with arthritis supplements like ashwagandha, collagen, or turmeric. However, caution should be exercised with biotin supplements, CBD, and other medications, and it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any changes in your supplement or medication regimen. Monitoring thyroid function tests is advisable when starting or stopping cannabis or CBD.
- Synthroid, a medication used for hypothyroidism and some types of thyroid cancer, can interact with various medical conditions, supplements, herbs, vitamins, and other drugs.
- Uncontrolled diabetes, heart problems, older age, adrenal insufficiency, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and allergies are medical conditions that might increase the risk of Synthroid interactions.
- Ashwagandha, collagen, and turmeric supplements, which are often used for arthritis, are generally safe with Synthroid.
- Biotin supplements, however, may cause inaccurate thyroid hormone test results.
- Synthroid's safety with CBD or cannabis supplements is not extensively researched, but it's believed that CBD may affect some drug metabolism.
- Synthroid is generally safe to take with Benadryl and Cipro, but it can reduce the level of certain hormones, worsening adrenal insufficiency.
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all medications, supplements, herbs, or vitamins you are taking to prevent interactions with Synthroid.
- Synthroid should be taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption, and no known lab tests have been reported to interact with Synthroid.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, diabetes drugs, corticosteroids, bile acid sequestrants, acid reducers, phosphate binders, ion exchange resins, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, certain oral birth control drugs, seizure drugs, sucralfate, orlistat, furosemide, rifampin, amiodarone, warfarin, digoxin, ketamine, and various other medications may interact with Synthroid.
- Untreated adrenal insufficiency is a contraindication for Synthroid, making it dangerous for prescribing in such cases.
- Certain foods, drinks, and products, like grapefruit, soy-based flour, cottonseed flour, walnuts, high fiber foods, caffeinated coffee, foods with calcium, cannabis or CBD products, could decrease the level of Synthroid in the body.
- Vaccines do not interact with Synthroid, and Synthroid may be used in combination with certain other thyroid cancer treatments.
