How long after taking levothyroxine can you drink milk?
You should avoid drinking milk until at least 4 hours after taking levothyroxine. Dairy products—including milk, cheese and yogurt—contain high calcium levels, which affect how levothyroxine is absorbed into your body.
Drinking milk or eating other calcium-rich foods less than 4 hours before or after taking levothyroxine can reduce the absorption of the drug, lowering its efficacy. Other calcium-rich foods include broccoli, kale, okra and anything containing calcium-fortified flour.
In general, patients are advised to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach and not eat for at least 30-60 minutes after taking it.
References
- National Health Service (NHS). Levothyroxine. Last reviewed October 23, 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/levothyroxine/. [Accessed August 27, 2021].
- Chon DA, Reisman T, Weinreb JE, Hershman JM, Leung AM. Concurrent Milk Ingestion Decreases Absorption of Levothyroxine. Thyroid. 2018;28(4):454-457. doi: 10.1089/thy.2017.0428.
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Drug information
- Levothyroxine Information for Consumers
- Levothyroxine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Levothyroxine (detailed)
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