Brand name vs. Generic

SoSilly · 05-08-2008, 01:15 AM

I was just dx'd with hypothyroid (TSH level of 7.58). I have been told by those who have Hypo that I need to get the brand name of Synthroid and not the generic. I forgot to check when I got the Rx filled today and they gave me Levothyroxine instead of Synthroid. I was going to call tomorrow and have them change it to Brand name... is it worth it? Opinions?

Renee3600 · 05-09-2008, 12:20 PM

I've always been told by my doc that it doesn't really matter which one you go with as long as you stick to whatever one you started on so that they can get the dose adjusted. If you switch from one to another there might be an inconsistency between the 2 and you might react differently to each of them.

mommavia · 05-09-2008, 07:06 PM

Renee is correct. It does't matter which one you start with, aso long as you stick to it. There are a few exceptions however, for instance if you have thyroid cancer then brand name is always better than generic because it is replacing everything your thyroid makes, not just a portion.

Generics aren't made to the same quality standards as brand names and can vary in the actual dosage. If you seem to be having problems with getting your TSH down, then you may want to consider switching.

Cynthia

Black Lilly · 05-09-2008, 08:00 PM

Wow! I hope with your medication that you start to feel better soon!

Generics can work, but with Synthroid you can be sure you are getting the exact dosage of T4 every time. Since your doc prescribed Synthroid, I would go back to the pharmacy and see if you could change it back. If it is an insurance thing, well, I hope they cover brand names for you. Maybe it is a case where the doc prescribed the brand name drug and the insurance only covers the generic drug.

If you do not get symptom relief with the T4 meds, I suggest doing more research on these pages and at www.realthyroidhelp.com. There are lots of people here on the PCOS board and there who know their stuff when it comes to the thyroid. That's where I found my help!

SoSilly · 05-11-2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I did go back to the pharmacy and got Synthroid. We'll see!

Somewhat Damaged · 05-11-2008, 10:45 PM

Generic formulations of Synthroid have been known to have varying amounts of thyroid hormone, which is why some people and docs prefer the brand name drug.

Hezzer · 05-16-2008, 02:42 PM

My doctor insists that I be on the Sythroid - not Levothyroxine. She says it works better.

My insurance won't cover a name brand if a generic is available, so I've been paying $60 for a 2 month supply. I've considered just telling my pharmacy to fill it generically and see if there really is that big of a difference.

The interesting thing is that I know people who take a much higher dose of levothyroxine than I do of the Synthroid, even though their TSH levels before meds were close to mine.

I only take 37.5 mcg a day whereas they take 100 mcg and 150 mcg.

mommavia · 05-17-2008, 01:09 AM

Hezzer, it could be that their bodies just require more replacement thyroid hormone than yours (their thyroid was more out of whack). When I was fist dxed as hypo, by TSH was well over 100, but 25 mcg of Synthroid set my levels straight. Not that I am thyroid-less I am on 212 mcg.

Also, check out this link on the Synthroid site, it may help you save a little dough on Synthroid, there are also coupons!

Cynthia

SoSilly · 05-25-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks everyone