Synthroid generic ?

mamabird · 09-03-2005, 08:11 PM

Is anyone using it? I am on Levoxyl right now. After I have the baby I was thinking I may ask my dr if I could try it since it would be cheaper. I have been doing fine with the levoxyl so maybe I shouldn't mess with it though. Just wondering if anyone else has used it and what their results with it were?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Blessings,
Robin

Rosie1028 · 09-04-2005, 02:00 AM

My doctor told me to get brand only with my thryroid meds..

Amink · 09-04-2005, 12:35 PM

there are several generics of Synthroid out there..

Levoxyl, Levobid, and Levothyroxine, in our pharmacy lexothyroxine is the least expensive.

doctors in general say, if you start on brand synthroid, you should stay on brand, if you start on levoxyl you should stay on levoxyl... etc..

but talk to your RPh they will be able to help you make an informed desiscion

mamabird · 09-04-2005, 01:41 PM

Thanks,
for your responses. I think I will ask my dr. what he thinks. I wouldn't consider trying something different until after I have the baby anyway.I don't think if it would not work as well the amount of money saved would really be worth it though. Why do you suppose the generic is not as good as the brand?

Thanks again.

Amink · 09-04-2005, 07:40 PM

it isn't not as good as the brand, it is slightly different than the brand, so if you start on type of synthroid they may not want you changing.

the differences aren't very large, and should have no effect, but talk to your doc or RPh about it

tessaaz · 09-08-2005, 08:34 PM

Interesting....I just read this article and was about to post it!! How odd that I came across your post. Cosmic......ooooooh! Anyway, read thishttp://www.thyroid.org.au/ThySoc/ThySocReplce.html

Very interesting article about the differences between "natural" and synthetic thyroid meds. They state that generic are not a good idea because they are not as regulated as name brand.

Amink · 09-08-2005, 08:39 PM

yes, the generics are just as regulated as the brand...

they couldn't be sold if they weren't.

they often have different filler ingredients in them, which makes them slightly different.

so again, is you start on levothyroxine you should stay on levothyroxine.

tessaaz · 09-09-2005, 05:16 PM

Amink,

Sorry, that was a poor choice of words on my part. It is not that the drugs are not regulated, just that they are, er....well, here is what the article says:

Generic levothyroxine tablets have not been widely recommended for several reasons:

Scientific studies have shown that, for some generics, the T4 content of each pill can be outside the FDA range of 90% to 110% of the stated chemical content. While a 20% range may not be a significant factor for some drugs, very small amounts of thyroid hormone can make quite a difference in the treatment of thyroid patients. For example, for some patients, a 12.5% variation in levothyroxine dosage can mean the difference between hypothyroidism or euthyroidism (having the proper amount of thyroid hormone in the body). Therefore, it is essential that patients with thyroid disease take the exact amount of prescribed levothyroxine to ensure successful treatment.
There have been additional concerns about the quality control in the production of generic levothyroxine, especially since generic manufacturers tend to come and go in the marketplace with great frequency, making them less accountable than long-standing manufacturers of levothyroxine. The 1997 Red Book, a pharmacist's guide to prescription generic and brand-name drugs, lists twenty-five companies distributing synthetic levothyroxine. (Some of these companies manufacture and distribute levothyroxine tablets, and others just distribute them.) Since publication, many of the listed companies are not making or selling synthetic levothyroxine.
From prescription to prescription, patients may be given a different generic preparation each time, making it impractical, if not impossible, to determine if retesting patients' thyroid hormone levels is necessary.
While brand-name levothyroxine preparations come in eleven to twelve different strengths, generics have less variety of strengths from which to choose. Of the generic levothyroxine distri-butors listed in the Red Book, 44% have one to four strengths available; the remaining offer five to eight strengths. For patients whose levothyroxine dosage must be adjusted several times due to age or other medical conditions, it would be difficult to stay with the same product if certain incremental changes are made.

Sorry for any confusion!!

kerr · 09-12-2005, 11:43 PM

I started out taking generic synthroid, levoxl. I kept on feeling like my heart was beating very fast like I could hear it in my ears. The MD said increased heart beat is a symptom of hypothyroid and should disappear once the meds get in your system. I was then going to school full time so I called my doctor for a sample. The gave me brand synthroid and a few days later the fast heart beat stopped. I thought I was crazy because then the following month it started again. Switched to brand with no problems.

A few years later I moved to a different part of the state and the doc said I should try the generic. They are the same as brand. I told her of my experience with the generic. She insisted that now generics are better regulated now. Again did the brand, heart racing ended up in the ER because I felt very lightheaded. Long story short I am on the brand synthroid now with no problems. I feel it is worth the extra $20.00 a month. I also noticed with the brand my blood levels are more consistant.

Hope this helps, sorry so long!

CherryPopTart · 10-21-2005, 02:42 AM

Hmm, interesting info you've all provided. I started out on Synthroid when I was originally diagnosed in 2002. My insurance stopped covering it sometime in 2003 and I switched to Levothyroid. I'm wondering if I should pursue the Synthroid instead.

Tx for the info!