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Armour Thyroid Overdose
Dangerous effects may occur if you take too much Armour Thyroid (thyroid USP). Overdose symptoms may include confusion or disorientation, heart palpitations, seizures, and strokes. It is important to know that taking even a little too much of the medication may lead to an overdose. Treatment for an Armour Thyroid overdose will vary, but may include "pumping the stomach," certain medicines, or supportive care.
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Armour® Thyroid (thyroid USP) is a "natural" thyroid hormone replacement medication that is available only with a prescription. Taking too much can result in hyperthyroidism, a condition that can be quite dangerous. The specific effects of an Armour Thyroid overdose will vary, depending on a number of factors, including the Armour Thyroid dosage and whether it was taken with any other medications or substances.
The symptoms of an Armour Thyroid overdose can be dangerous. Some of the most dangerous symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion or disorientation
- Heart palpitations
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Coma
- Death.
Armour Thyroid is a "narrow therapeutic index" drug, which means that the safe and effective dose is usually very close to the toxic dose. Therefore, an Armour Thyroid overdose can result from taking just a little too much of the drug.
The treatment for an Armour Thyroid overdose will also vary. If the overdose was recent, a healthcare provider may administer certain medicines or place a tube into the stomach to "pump the stomach." Treatment also involves supportive care, which consists of treating the symptoms that occur as a result of the overdose. For example, supportive treatment options may include:
- Fluids through an intravenous line (IV), if necessary
- Medications to control arrhythmias, seizures, or other symptoms
- Other treatments based on the complications that occur.
It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on Armour Thyroid.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD