Synthroid vs generic levothyroxin

[Pinkdog24]

Has anyone had experience with changing meds from synthroid to levothyroxin?  I am faced with having to change because of insurance or pay much more for synthoid.  Should I do it?

[Barb135]

Levothyroxine is the generic, while Levoxyl is a brand name.

[Pinkdog24]

What is the difference between levoxyl and levoxthyroxine?  I am going ahead and trying the generic to see how it works for me.  It seems everyone has a different experience. I appreciate all the responses I have had.  Thanks.

[Barb135]

I was started on Synthroid, then switched to generic -- I actually did better on the generic and my levels came up nicely.

[goolarra]

Here's what the FDA website has to say:

“All drugs approved in the United States, regardless of where they are made, must be in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires that drugs meet manufacturing standards to assure quality and product label requirements.”

Here's the link if you want to read further:

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm194989.htm

[medicmommy]

Hi!
I am SO hoping I don't have your experience as I was just switched from generic to brand name...The generic levothyroxine barely budged my labs at six weeks.
I will double check on the FDA regulations as I'm pretty sure the regulations on imported medication is a bit less stringent than within the country...I'll post the info when I find it...~MM

[goolarra]

Let me first re-iterate that if something is working for you, I wouldn't rock the boat.  It's not worth it.

Also, my endo doesn't like generic, either, and the first thing he did was take me off generic and put me on Levoxyl, same dose as the generic I'd been on.  My labs 4 weeks after that were WORSE than they'd been on generic.

However, I think that anything SOLD, not manufactured, in the U.S. is regulated by the same FDA standards, regardless of where it's manufactured.  

Big Pharma has run some very effective smear campaigns against its competition (both generic and dessicated).  Also, a lot of "U.S." manufactured drugs are not manufactured in the 50 states, but in offshore U.S. possessions, places that look a lot more like the Third World than they look like the States.  We are not the only people that can do things right.  There are horror stories from everywhere...including the U.S.

I don't know...be skeptical, very skeptical....    

[medicmommy]

Hello. I can share with you what my endo told me. He is not impressed by the generic levothyroxine. He stated the generic is often manufactured in places like India where the potency range only has to fall between 30-60% effective to be accepted, whereas when Synthroid is manufactured in the USA, its potency has to be 60-95% effective. The generic is often bought from India because it can be bought for pounds of meds on the dollar, whereas in the US it is ounces on the dollar. So, if you are switching to the generic brand, I'd double-check to make sure it is manufactured under US FDA rules to verify potency. ~MM

[caregiver222]

Synthroid is a made-up brand name. The actual composition of the medication has changed several times since it was introduced. In addition there were problems at the manufacturing facility, primarily involving quality control issues, resulting in one plant being closed by the FDA. In fairness, I believe these problems have been resolved.

As goolara stated, many people take generic and do just fine.

Do not purchase on the internet, and always insure you buy from a reputable manufacturer.

Wal-Mart seems to have the best prices, but you must purchase in-store.

[goolarra]

The allegation is that generic levo does not have the quality control that brand names have and may vary from batch to batch from the same manufacturer.  In addition, there is no guarantee that your pharmacy will buy from the same manufacturer each time.

However, many people take generic and do just fine.  

I, personally, would not rock the boat if you've been on Synthroid for a while and are feeling well.  I take Levoxyl, and it only costs me about $15 a month.