Drug interactions
Levothyroxine + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Severity: Moderate
Levothyroxine and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can bind oral levothyroxine in the gut and reduce its absorption. This may lower thyroid hormone exposure and lead to hypothyroidism over time.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levothyroxine and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Levothyroxine belongs to Endocrine; Sodium polystyrene sulfonate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Binding of levothyroxine in the gastrointestinal tract by the resin reduces its absorption.
What to do
Give levothyroxine at least 3 hours apart from sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Monitor TSH and adjust the levothyroxine dose if needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Levothyroxine and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Levothyroxine
Other interactions of Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- Meloxicam + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Major
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate + Sorbitol Major
- Calcium carbonate + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Deflazacort + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Lithium + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
- Magnesium citrate + Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levothyroxine with Sodium polystyrene sulfonate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levothyroxine and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can bind oral levothyroxine in the gut and reduce its absorption. This may lower thyroid hormone exposure and lead to hypothyroidism over time.
How serious is the interaction between Levothyroxine and Sodium polystyrene sulfonate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give levothyroxine at least 3 hours apart from sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Monitor TSH and adjust the levothyroxine dose if needed.
What other medicines interact with Levothyroxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levothyroxine with, for example, Cholestyramine, Sodium iodide i-131, Tiratricol. The full list is on the Levothyroxine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
