Thyroid and antithyroid drugs

• * Indicates drug not licensed for this use in this species.

• Thyroid replacement therapy is used regardless of cause of thyroid hormone deficiency.
• Thyroxine sodium Levothyroxine : exogenous source of T4; for maintenance therapy of hypothyroidism (Levothyroxine sodium - drug of choice). Dose should be adjusted to maintain peak serum concentrations of T4 in the high therapeutic range. Ideally given twice daily in most dogs. Lower starting dosages recommended in dogs with significant underlying heart disease.
• Liothyronine sodium* Liothyronine : exogenous source of T3, rarely indicated in dogs. Bypasses tissue-specific conversion of T4 to T3 based on local metabolic demands.

Antithyroid drugs

• Usually not used in dogs. Propylthiouracil has been used anecdotally in dogs with functional thyroid tumors.

Corticosteroids

Anabolic steroids

Insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents

Pituitary and hypothalamic hormones

Drugs used to treat hypoadrenocorticism

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Nelson R W, Robertson J, Feldman E C et al (2000) Effect of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose on control of glycemia in dogs with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. JAVMA 216 (8), 1265-1269 PubMed.