LIOTHYRONINE IS A THYROID HORMONE. IT IS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM, AND IS BELIEVED TO BE MORE ACTIVE THAN LEVOTHYROXINE. THE ONSET OF ACTION OF LIOTHYRONINE IS RAPID, DEVELOPING WITHIN A FEW HOURS, AND THEREFORE IT TENDS TO BE USED IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THIS, AND ITS SHORT DURATION OF ACTION, ARE USEFUL, PARTICULARLY IN HYPOTHYROID (MYXOEDEMA) COMA.
WITH REGULAR DOSING THE PEAK THERAPEUTIC EFFECT IS USUALLY ACHIEVED AFTER 3 DAYS; ON WITHDRAWAL ITS EFFECTS MAY PERSIST FOR 1 TO 3 DAYS.