Therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance of levothyroxine liquid and softgel formulations taken with meals: a systematic review.
Breakfast
Hypothyroidism
Levothyroxine
Liquid
Meal
Softgel
Journal
Endocrine
ISSN: 1559-0100
Titre abrégé: Endocrine
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9434444
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
31 Aug 2024
31 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
20
06
2024
accepted:
22
08
2024
medline:
1
9
2024
pubmed:
1
9
2024
entrez:
31
8
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Levothyroxine (L-T4) is the drug of choice for treating primary hypothyroidism. L-T4 tablets should be taken at least 30 min before breakfast. Several studies have suggested that serum thyroid profile is not affected by concomitant intake of liquid/softgel L-T4 with meals. Our aim is to review the evidence on therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance with the liquid and softgel formulation of L-T4 taken with meals, also compared with the standard tablet therapy regimen, in hypothyroid patients. We performed a systematic review of literature by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. PRISMA guidelines were applied, and the risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the RoB 2 and ROBINS tools. The methodological quality was assessed following the GRADE criteria. We included 13 studies, accounting for a total of 1697 patients. The timing of liquid L-T4 intake from breakfast did not affect the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment. No significant differences in the absorption of liquid L-T4 were found when administered together with different foods, beverages, drugs, or other supplements. TSH levels are not influenced by taking softgel L-T4 at breakfast; the efficacy of softgel and liquid formulation is similar when they are taken with a meal, but superior to that of tablet formulation. Shifting from L-T4 tablets taken 30 min before breakfast to liquid/softgel formulation taken with the meal improved medication adherence and perceived quality of life of patients. Liquid and softgel formulation of L-T4 can be taken at breakfast or close to meals, without losing therapeutic efficacy. These formulations could also improve patient compliance and quality of life compared to L-T4 tablet therapy taken 30 min before breakfast.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39215906
doi: 10.1007/s12020-024-04016-7
pii: 10.1007/s12020-024-04016-7
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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