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 · Yesterday, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the replies.

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

Somewhat Damaged · Yesterday, 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.

05-08-2008, 01:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
SoSilly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 84 My Mood: Points: 2,266.17 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 2,266.17 Donate	Brand name vs. Generic 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?

05-09-2008, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Renee3600 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 173 Points: 3,402.49 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 3,402.49 Donate	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. __________________ Me - Renee (30) DH - Joel (34) 3 Furbaby kitties (5) Meds - 90mg Armour, 1000mg Metformin, Baby aspirin, Canex & Probiotic Round 1 Femara Aug 07 - BFP (m/c Oct 07 @ 6 weeks) Round 2 Femara Mar 08 - BFN Round 3 Natural Apr 08 - BFN Round 4 Femara and IUI May 08 DH out of town, but left frozen swimmers - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-09-2008, 07:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
mommavia Living Strong Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sweet Land of Liberty Posts: 409 My Mood: Points: 2,033.81 Bank: 14,928.19 Total Points: 16,962.00 Donate	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 __________________ Proud Marine Wife To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Proud Mom of DS (3 yrs) born in Korea AND DS2 (16 mo) waiting for us in Korea! Thyroid Cancer Survivor since 09 April 2004 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. If you are going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

05-09-2008, 08:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Black Lilly Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 30 My Mood: Points: 539.04 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 539.04 Donate	synthroid or generic T4 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! __________________ Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars. - Serbian proverb

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Yesterday, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
SoSilly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 84 My Mood: Points: 2,266.17 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 2,266.17 Donate	Thanks for the replies. I did go back to the pharmacy and got Synthroid. We'll see!

Yesterday, 10:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Somewhat Damaged Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 148 Points: 66.55 Bank: 4,068.07 Total Points: 4,134.62 Donate	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.