Key Summary
- For some patients conventional levothyroxine tablets are difficult to tolerate or absorb effectively.
- Levothyroxine IBSA Soft Capsules designed to address clinical limitations associated with conventional tablets.
- The soft capsule is available in a broad range of colour-coded dosage strengths from 13 micrograms to 200 micrograms.
Swiss pharma multinational IBSA (Institut Biochimique SA) has introduced soft capsules for hypothyroidism in the UK, as an alternative for those patients who are currently unable to take conventional tablets.
Hypothyroidism is a chronic disorder where the thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones.
It affects around 2% of the UK population and more than 5% of those over 60, and is most commonly treated with levothyroxine tablets.
However, for patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions, levothyroxine tablets may not be very effective and they have limited alternative treatment options.
The new Levothyroxine IBSA Soft Capsules is designed to address clinical limitations associated with conventional levothyroxine tablets, which may be difficult for some patients to tolerate or absorb effectively.
This also provides healthcare professionals with an additional treatment option for patients with hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders.
Levothyroxine IBSA Soft Capsules are formulated as a liquid gel capsule and are composed of four ingredients.
The formulation is available in a broad range of colour-coded dosage strengths from 13 micrograms to 200 micrograms, supporting individualised treatment approaches across a wide range of patients.
They are indicated for hypothyroidism (including also acquired hypothyroidism in children and juvenile myxoedema), diffuse non toxic goitre, goitre associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and suppression therapy in thyroid carcinoma.
Levothyroxine IBSA Soft Capsules are generally safe and well-tolerated when dosed and monitored appropriately.
As per the 2025 European Thyroid Association (ETA) guidelines, soft capsules is one of the recommended options for patients with persistent thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values above the reference range, and for those at risk of malabsorption.
Dr Peter Taylor, Consultant Endocrinologist and Thyroid Specialist, said: "While levothyroxine tablets remain highly effective for many patients, endocrinologists regularly encounter individuals whose thyroid function remains difficult to stabilise despite good adherence. This can be particularly challenging in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, adherence issues, dietary habits or drug interactions."
"The availability of a soft capsule formulation in the UK provides clinicians with an additional evidence-based option when conventional tablets are not delivering the desired outcomes. Having access to a broader range of formulations allows us to tailor treatment more effectively to individual patient needs."
"Persistent symptoms and fluctuating thyroid function tests can result in repeated consultations, dose adjustments and frustration for both patients and clinicians. Alternative formulations such as soft capsules may help address some of these challenges in selected patients."
