Synthroid vs. Levothyroxine

[haigtell]

Hi,
My thyroid was removed in 1991 and had a revision in 2005.  I have been taking Synthroid of varying doses since 1991 (currently 300 mcg).  The new Aetna plan I am on is charging me $50 per month and I am told that I can take Levothyroxine Sodium for only $10 a month.  Is there any downside to switching to this generic alternative?
Regards, Haigtell

[chigirl29]

I take Levothyroxine and have never needed an adjustment--cost .88cents per month-I'm happy with it.

[kitty9309]

I am glad the info may help you. I want to spread the word about the discount Synthroid gives. I know there are alot of companies that give free or reduced meds like your wife gets. There was a whole book at the library on the subject!

I found out about the Synthroid coupon from the other forum.
Plus, my new endo yesterday gave me a coupon and told me about Levoxyl being cheaper.

[AR-10]

Thanks for that info, Kitty.

I didn't know there was that much inconsistency in active ingredient, as well.

The info about the Synthroid website is very helpful. I'll have to ask my wife what my Synthroid is costing at the pharmacy. I don't know what I am paying for it, but I know this morning our pharmacy bill was over $1,500 and Barb took them $400.

With three of us taking all sorts of meds, the bill adds up quick. Barb gets several meds free through the programs that several drug companies offer. That helps a lot.

My Synthroid may actually be cheaper going the route you suggest.

Thanks for the info, on both aspects of the subject.

[kitty9309]

I have no rx insurance and my synthroid is about $20/month. A 3 months supply is cheaper still. You can also go to the Synthroid website and get $3 off 1 month or $10 off 3 months and you can use a coupon for EVERY refill!!

Generic meds(even antibiotics, etc) in general can be off up to 20-25 % in active ingredient.The FDA allows this.
For example, 100 mcg generic levothyroxine could contain up to 125 mcg per pill from one manufacturer or as low as 75 mcg from another. This is an extreme, worst case scenario.
But since the dose of what the thyroid needs is so narrow, there needs to be a very consistant amount of active ingredient.
Many manufacturers make levothyroxine. It isn't just one company. Your pharmacy could be ordering from different companies each time and therefore the dose from refill to refill could be significantly different.
The insurance co-pay will usually be more $$ than going out of pocket for Synthroid. Also Levoxyl is less expensive, but still a brand name.

[ifupleze]

You might ask your pharmacy what the cost is without insurance.  A lot of times it is cheaper to buy direct rather than going through your insurance company.

[AR-10]

For most people they are interchangable.
Some people do better on Synthroid.
Some people do better on Levothyroxine.

The main complaint with Levothyroxine is that it is a generic.

It is manufactured by several companies and there is no "standard" formula. Various fillers are used by different manufacturers, and some people are sensative to certain fillers.

Your pharmacy may buy one manufacturer's drug for several months and then switch to a different manufacturer, either because that is what their supplier sends them, or because it is cheaper to buy.

Even if you use the same pharmacy all the time, you may end up with a slightly different drug one day, and it might not agree with you.

If you buy it here and there, you can never be sure it is from the same manufacturer.

Some people have no problem healthwise with any of that, but some people do.

My Endo Has me on Synthroid and the scrip says No Substitutions. So, she wants me on Synthroid, period.

Some people are allergic to the fillers in Synthroid.
They do better with Levothyroxine.

Our bodies are all different, but with a generic you are rolling the dice, so to speak.

Might work out fine.
Might not.