Thyrotropin alfa

Generic name: thyrotropin alfa [ THYE-roe-TROE-pin-AL-fa ]
Brand name: Thyrogen
Dosage form: intramuscular powder for injection (0.9 mg)
Drug classes: In vivo diagnostic biologicals, Thyroid drugs

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 19, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is thyrotropin alfa?

Thyrotropin alfa is a manmade form of a protein similar to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is normally produced by your thyroid. Thyrotropin alfa keeps your TSH levels steady while you undergo thyroid tests or treatments that can reduce TSH and cause symptoms of low thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Thyrotropin alfa is used together with radioactive iodine ablation (a procedure to remove thyroid tissue that was not removed with surgery) in people with thyroid cancer.

Thyrotropin alfa is also used during medical testing to check for certain types of thyroid cancer that has returned after treatment. Thyrotropin alfa may not help your doctor find all signs of cancer, and there is still a chance that some of your cancer could be missed.

Thyrotropin alfa will not treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Thyrotropin alfa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Thyrotropin alfa side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Thyrotropin alfa may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• throat pain or swelling, trouble breathing;

• severe headache;

• severe nausea or vomiting;

• sudden swelling, pain, numbness, or loss of movement in any part of your body;

• signs of overactive thyroid--unexplained weight loss, increased appetite, changes in bowel habits, fast or pounding heartbeats, sweating, feeling anxious or irritable; or

• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects of thyrotropin alfa may include:

• nausea, vomiting;

• headache, dizziness; or

• weakness, tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about the timing of your medications, scans, and other treatments.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use thyrotropin alfa if you are allergic to it.

To make sure thyrotropin alfa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• heart disease or history of stroke;

• if you take birth control pills; or

• if you are a woman and you smoke or have migraine headaches.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not use thyrotropin alfa together with radioactive iodine if your are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is thyrotropin alfa given?

Thyrotropin alfa is injected into a muscle of the buttock. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Thyrotropin alfa is usually given in 2 separate injections 24 hours apart.

You may also be given radioactive iodine to take 24 hours after your last thyrotropin alfa injection. If you need a thyroid scan, the scan should take place 48 hours after you take the radioactive iodine.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about the timing of your medications, scans, and other treatments.

You may be given steroid medicine to help keep tumors from growing larger while you are receiving thyrotropin alfa.

Your doctor may want you to receive thyrotropin alfa in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Drink plenty of liquids before you are treated with thyrotropin alfa.

As part of your treatment, you will need frequent blood tests. You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine whether treatment has been effective.

Thyrotropin alfa dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Thyroid Cancer:

Two 1 mL (0.9 mg thyrotropin alpha) intramuscular injections into the buttock
-Administer second dose 24 hours after first

Comments:
-Drug stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) levels are usually lower than, and do not correlate with, thyroid hormone withdrawal Tg levels.
-A missed thyroid cancer diagnosis or underestimation of disease extent can occur despite combination testing with radioiodine imaging.
-Anti-Tg antibodies may lead to uninterpretable Tg levels from Tg assays; consider further evaluating patients with negative or low-stage radioiodine scans.

Use: Adjunctive treatment for ablation in well differentiated thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy and without distant metastases

Usual Adult Dose for Diagnostic:

Two 1 mL (0.9 mg thyrotropin alpha) intramuscular injections into the buttock
-Administer second dose 24 hours after first

Comments:
-Long term effects on thyroid cancer outcomes by use of this drug have not been determined.
-There is too little clinical data on use in remnant ablation to say if long term outcomes are equal to those of thyroid hormone withholding prior to ablation.

Use: Adjunctive diagnostic tool for serum thyroglobulin testing in well differentiated thyroid cancer after thyroidectomy

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your thyrotropin alfa injection, or if you will be unable to return for a thyroid scan within 48 hours after you have taken radioactive iodine.

What happens if I overdose?

Since thyrotropin alfa is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving thyrotropin alfa?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect thyrotropin alfa?

Other drugs may affect thyrotropin alfa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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