Synthroid With Ibuprofen - Interaction Details
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses the interaction between Synthroid and ibuprofen.
I take Synthroid every day, but I also have arthritis. It's not too bad but I take ibuprofen to help sometimes. Can I take it even though I take Synthroid?
Oct 30, 2022- There is no direct interaction between Synthroid and ibuprofen, but you should take them at least 30 to 60 minutes apart to protect Synthroid absorption.
- Synthroid works best when taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with only water, 30 to 60 minutes before food or other medications.
- Small changes in how much Synthroid your body absorbs can affect your thyroid levels since it is dosed in very small amounts measured in micrograms.
There is no known interaction between Synthroid (levothyroxine) and ibuprofen. However, their administration should be separated to ensure Synthroid is properly absorbed.
Interaction Details
While there are several drugs that interact with Synthroid and need to be separated by at least a few hours, as a general point, Synthroid should be taken by itself, first thing in the morning, 30 to 60 minutes before food or drink (other than water) for optimal absorption.
The prescribing information for Synthroid gives the following recommendation:
Administer SYNTHROID as a single daily dose, on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast.
This recommendation is in place due to the fact that even small changes in the absorption of Synthroid can be clinically significant, and alter your thyroid levels.
Synthroid is dosed in micrograms (not milligrams like most drugs) so any change in how much of the drug you absorb, which can be impacted by taking it with food or other drugs, makes a big difference.
Some drugs interact with Synthroid to the point where they need to be separated from Synthroid by a few hours. These drugs include:
- Antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate)
- Iron supplements
- Fiber
- Bile Acid Sequestrants
How To Manage The Interaction
Even drugs that don't specifically interact with levothyroxine should be separated from it. As the prescribing information recommends, you should ideally take it 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast and other medications, with water only.
In regard to ibuprofen, again, there is no specific interaction, but if you need it, just make sure it is taken 30 to 60 minutes after you have taken your dose of Synthroid to avoid any absorption problems.
Drug Information
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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Levothyroxine
- A synthetic thyroid hormone medication used to replace or supplement thyroid hormone in the body.
- Absorption
- The process by which a medication passes through the digestive system into the bloodstream.
- Micrograms
- A unit of measurement equal to one millionth of a gram, used for very small doses of medication.
- Clinically significant
- A change in medication levels that is meaningful enough to affect a patient's health or treatment.
- Antacids
- Medications that neutralize stomach acid and can interfere with how other drugs are absorbed.
- Bile acid sequestrants
- Medications that bind to bile acids in the digestive system and can reduce the absorption of other drugs.
- Prescribing information
- Official instructions provided by a drug manufacturer that describe how a medication should be used.
- Empty stomach
- The digestive state when no food has been eaten for several hours before taking medication.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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