LIOTHYRONINE SODIUM

Chemistry - A synthetically prepared sodium salt of the naturally occurring hormone T3, liothyronine sodium occurs as an odorless, light tan crystalline powder. It is very slightly soluble in waterand slightly soluble in alcohol. Each 25 micrograms of liothyronine is approximately equivalent to60-65 mg (1 grain) of thyroglobulin or dessicated thyroid and 100 micrograms or less oflevothyroxine.
Liothyronine sodium may also be known as T3, T3 thyronine sodium, L-triiodothyronine, or Sodium L-triiodothyronine.

Storage, Stability, Compatibility

Liothyronine tablets should be stored at room temperature(15-30°C) in tight containers.
Pharmacology, Contraindications/Precautions, Adverse Effects, Warnings, Drug
Interactions,
Drug/Laboratory Interactions, & Overdosage - Refer to the previous monograph(Levothyroxine Sodium) for information on liothyronine.
Uses, Indications - Because of its shorter duration of action, liothyronine is generally not considered to be the drug of first choice in treating hypothyroidism. Infrequently, animals not respondingto levothyroxine may respond to liothyronine.

Pharmacokinetics - LIOTHYRONINE SODIUM

In dogs, peak plasma levels of liothyronine occur 2-5 hours after oral dosing.
The plasma half-life is approximately 5-6 hours. In contrast to levothyroxine, it is believed thatliothyronine is nearly completely absorbed by dogs and absorption is not as affected by stomachcontents, intestinal flora changes, etc.