meds@ nighttime: For those who take their meds... - Thyroid UK

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meds@ nighttime

terebol profile image
14 Replies

For those who take their meds before bed, be it NDT or synthetics, is it necessary to drink w/a full glass of water? I won't be eating anything for at least 8 hours which would allow ample time for the meds to get where they need to go. Just thought I would try it out, but drinking full glass of water before bed could be a bit of a disruptor. thanks

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terebol profile image
terebol
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14 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

No its not. I drink just enough to get them down.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

I just wash it down with a swig from a glass of water. I don't see how a full glass of water would help plus obviously the downside of needing the loo in the middle of the night.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply to Jaydee1507

Thank you.....just a spoonful of water helps the medicine go down When I was in my career detailing physician offices I called on sleep centers. I was told by a couple of the techs that interpret the sleep data, the need to go to the bathroom(loo) is not what awakens us, but something disturbs our sleep, then the need to go kicks in.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

I take 15mg of Erfa at 10pm with a little more than half a glass.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

Some makes, such as Pfizer Levoxyl, expressly require a reasonable amount of water because they "explode" in the throat and can get stuck. (Indeed, can be dangerous in extreme circumstances.)

But most makes you don't have this same requirement - more generally good advice. But almost no-one tells you the size of the glass!

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan in reply to helvella

Holy shoot...thnxs for letting us know

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Imaaan

Explode it a bit of an exaggeration! They puff up and can form a plug which could restrict breathing. From memory, it is the substantial amount of croscarmellose they contain.

(The previous formulation of Levoxyl was withdrawn because they didn't disperse and release the active ingredient. Looks like they went slightly over the top.)

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan in reply to helvella

Merci for the clarification ...nobody wants a stuck pill

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to helvella

The Pfizer Levoxyl instructions are available here:

pfizermedicalinformation.co...

Screenshot of specific Pfizer instructions re Levoxyl
terebol profile image
terebol in reply to helvella

yes, I remember reading from way back, to take meds w/a full glass of water; is my glass 4,6,8, 12z? good point So the point of the gallons of water to take w/the NDT is not for quicker dispersion through the digestive system, but so that it doesn't get stuck?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to terebol

I think that it also helps ensure whatever medicine doesn't just remain in the stomach for ages.

But I don't think there is any reason to drink a pint!

terebol profile image
terebol in reply to helvella

thank heavens (for the pint comment) & thank you!

Bearo profile image
Bearo

Yes, I had previously read on here to take Levo with a full glass of water, which I struggled with, and this is one of the reasons I haven’t tried taking my Levo at night. But I discovered a while back that it’s only a mouthful of water that’s needed.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply to Bearo

Yep, that was the reason I did not take some of my ndt at night. Glad it's been clarified thanks!

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