Mixing generic with Synthroid

[liseybuns]

After 15 years of using Synthroid, I couldn't afford it any longer.  So like a dummy I got a 3 month supply of generic.  I could tell right away. Doctor and pharmacist both told me to wait 6 weeks and I should be fine. Well I am not. I feel cloudy, slow thinking, no ambition...I gave in and bought name brand.  I have 6 weeks of the generic left..can I alternate the generic with the name brand, or will it screw me up?


This discussion is related to Generic or Synthroid?.

[goolarra]

Very interesting site.

Like you, I am unconvinced that brand name thyroid meds are any better than generics.  I was on generic for over a year when my PCP was treating me.  When I started seeing an endo who had a bias against generic, he switched me to the same dose of a brand name, and my labs acually got worse in the following six weeks.  However, I choose my battles carefully, and I gave this one to my endo.

I would still advise anyone who switches meds, as liseybuns did and notices an immediate effect , to switch back to what worked for them.  I would recommend this for anyone who switches FROM generic TO brand name as well.  Some of us can switch meds with little effect while others react to the slightest change.  Levo is not expensive...I know every penny counts, but it's not worth saving a few dollars and disrupting your body's equilibrium.

The list of doctors and their drug company income is very interesting.  What's really even more frightening is that they are not actually paid for prescribing certain meds.  They are paid for "speaking".  To whom?  Other doctors, at conferences, expenses paid for by Pharma.  So, the doctors in the list are paid to speak.  Their opinions are then broadcast to many more doctors.  The prrescribing habits of many more doctors than just the one listed as speaker are being effected...everyone at the conference is being exposed to the drug company propaganda.

A definite conflict of interest.

Thanks for the link.

[wendygettis]

I agree with Consistency is the Key! However if you become or have an unemployed person in the household and need to save money, get the generic and pay attention to how you feel. The Doctor's get kickbacks from writing prescriptions of certain drugs. Check out this site to see if your doctor is one of them:  http://projects.propublica.org/docdollars/states

[goolarra]

Consistency is one of the big keys to managing this disease.  If something works for you, don't mess with it.  Throw your generic away...it's not worth the worry.

I don't think that brand names are necessarily superior to generic, but if brand names work better for YOU, then why rock the boat?  It's best to make a choice and stick with it.

[annamae26]

sorry forgot your question. not sure if i would mix the brand and generic. i would just stay with one or the other - but there may be others on this board who may say it would be ok i will follow your post because id like to know what they think

[annamae26]

i had a time with switching from brand to generic but i found that if i take it at night it absorbs better and i got adjusted faster. i read alot of info about taking thyroid meds at night first. once i started doing that i got adjusted fast but it was quite a while before i started doing that. i am on generic now and doing fine still taking my meds at night. i eat early dinner and take it at eleven.  my generic is free. eating early also keeps my weight down.