change ?

Is synthroid and levothyroxine the exact same ? My Doctor ,mistakenly,changed me from levothyroxine to synthroid,same dosage. After taking it for 3 days,I have been itching really bad. Is there a connection between my itching and the change in medicine ?


This discussion is related to Synthroid versus generic levothyroxine (I have Hashimoto's).

[AR-10]

Levothyroxine is generic. Synthroid is a name brand of the same drug. It is actually prefered by most Endo's, because it is a little more reliable from batch to batch.

It is made with different fillers than what you have been used to with the Levo. Some people do not get along with it. Lactose or something is in it.

It's possible you're allergic to the inert ingredients of the Synthroid.

[ChitChatNine]

yes I was going to say the same thing .. also WELCOME to the Community!  Stop by the TGIF Thyroid Pub thread .. we have it on Friday's as a social thread and all are welcome!

Cheryl

[Thypatient]

Like you, I was on the generic from of levothyroxine, then it was switched to the brand Synthroid.  I had itching too, particularly on the top of my head.  I ended up switching to another brand, Levoxyl, because of insurance and noticed when I did the itching subsided and hasn't returned.

Your itching might subside anyway in time.  But maybe if your dr really wants you on a brand and that one's not working, perhaps trying the other would help.  Just a thought...

[utahmomma]

Personally, neither I nor anyone in my family can handle the generic levothyroxine - something about the filler or inconsistency.  We have to take Synthroid (when we are on it, I switched to Armour).  

Call your doctor's office and have them put you back on name-brand - you're having a reaction to the generic.