I was taking Synthroid then my insurance decided that they wouldn't cover that drug anymore (only generic) unless the doctor did a lot of paperwork and showed that it was medically necessary. She decided to prescribe the Levothyroxin instead, and I have heard and read that there is a difference and Synthroid is really the only drug that should be given. I have felt very fatigued and just not "right" lately, and think it is the change in drugs. Anyone else have any experience in switching between the two? If it's all in my head I don't want to complain to the doctor and make her jump thru hoops for the insurance company. I fear this is just the beginning of insurance companies denying coverage for expensive brand names.
thanks.
How much difference-if any-is there between Synthroid and Levothyroxin? Are they interchangable?
Question posted by jackiewright on 3 May 2010
Last updated on 14 September 2018
28 Answers
jonusoniska
29 Jan 2018
Both meds are Thyroxin substitutes. Psychologically you might feel that one of them works better or worse. I am taking synthroid then levothyroxine and currently i am on levo.. No difference. I am feeling okay. This is just your psychology. You might feel that more expensive staff works better, but actually this is not the case. Your MD deos not care how much you need to pay for meds. They prescribe meds without price consideration or because brand name meds producing company paid for MD's vacation, etc... That is marketing factor. Brand name companies spent a lot of money on marketing than generic name companies. Don't get brainwashed.
kippersinabox
29 Jan 2018
With respect, I disagree. I am not a hysteric, and I've tried the generic Synthroid twice now, with the same reaction - feeling sick. It's not in my head, and I'd wager most other respondents who complain about it haven't been brainwashed either. It may be that for your metabolism, you're fine, and that's great. My pharmacist told me they do use different ingredients for the generic levothyroxine, and went on to say quite a few people are not able to tolerate the generic. Hey, I'm as cynical as the next person, but I believe in this case using name brand pharmaceuticals by some individuals is justified.
Aparneomai
30 Jan 2018
The generic is definitely different than the name brand in this case and I would expect in most. The rxn's to produce this compound result in a racemic mixture. The generic doesn't purify these products whereas the name brand does. Typically, pharma will spend 20 to 30 years conducting research into the synthesis of a compound. 100's of millions of dollars later something might make it to market. Once the patent has run out Generic manufacturers will come in and mass produce the product based on the published synthesis. Does this mean their product is better or worse? Not necessarily but they don't have to generate funds to pay for the research that was conducted for decades in order to bring something to market. Now in this case as mentioned above this is a racemic mixture of which the generic doesn't distinguish between the two but the name brand does. I would expect in many cases the purity of the name brand to be much higher.
jonusoniska
1 Feb 2018
Another example of brand vs generic might be Tylenol vs acetaminophen or Advil vs Ibuprophen,
no difference in action or efficiency between brand name med and generic, except price.
If you want to waste your money , feel free to do it.
Roadrunner71
7 Feb 2018
Your response to the generic is NOT in your head. Your body is not utilizing the drug. Studies have clearly demonstrated this. Those on generic must be tested every 3 months as the generic does not contain consistant dosage. Many of us have bodies that react negatively to the generic version. Listen to your body. Drug sensitivity is real.
Roadrunner71
22 Jan 2018
The difference is astounding!! Synthroid is so much more effective. I had same experience. Beg doctor to do paper work. The generic is not even close for effectiveness. I know of no one who has had positive response using generic form and quite the opposite for those on Synthroid.
Sccofsemi
20 Feb 2018
I am currently on levothyroxine and begging my doctor to change it to the Synthroid. He said he will. I hope this works for me. The levothyroxine is giving me the same reaction as it does others.
F1bloss
7 Jan 2018
Has anyone had dizziness, unsteadiness and just plan felt off from a recent switch from Synthyroid to Levothyroxine? I was accidentally switched to the generic and didn’t think it was a big deal. After that my labs were off, which never happens, and this dizziness with weird, just plain off, in a fog, pressure sensations in my head. Sounds crazy I know. I’m hoping the switch back to Synthyroid will help me get back to feeling normal soon.
Marigold1208
3 Jan 2018
Hi Jackie, i have the same thing going on with brand name synthroid. Very tired, flu like feeling, achy, moody.They did just up my dosage but hasn't had time yet to help. I felt better on the generic though that sounds crazy! But switching did help my stomach some. Still cannot take first thing in the morning though. I have to take it at 2:00 am so i can take prilosec when i get up. Doc says once we get right level it should help my stomach. Pray you get better too soon!
Cnb918
3 Jan 2018
Hi Jackie, I too have taken both synthroid and levothyroxine and found that my levels go completely wacko. I too felt, crazy for lack of a better word! I can only take synthroid, it's the only thing that keeps my levels stable and where they should be. Your doc will understand, just let him/her know of how you are feeling on the levothyroxine and I am sure they will do what they need to get you well! Hope this helps.
GeesinD
22 Nov 2017
To the best of my knowledge, the reason you must have your blood tested if the brand of levothyroxine you are taking changes is because there is a 5% plus or minus difference in the amount of medication absorbed between manufacturers. However, as long as you obtain the same generic brand with each refill everything should be okay because the efficacy of each generic brand will remain the same. For instance, if you started on Synthroid and were suddenly switched to a generic your blood should be drawn to check your thyroid hormone level because you may be getting too much or too little depending on the absorption of that generic brand. If you are on a generic made by Donald Duck, you should remain on the generic made by Donald Duck If you suddenly get a generic made by Mickey Mouse, the absorption rate could change up or down 5%. Therefore you must once again check your blood and adjust accordingly.
This is why you are told to let your doctor know if the brand you are receiving has changed. If the mickey mouse brand has an absorption of 95%, it will remain as 95% with each refill. If the pharmacy changes your generic from Mickey Mouse to Elmer Fudd brand, you need more blood work done, because Elmer fudd brand has a 105% absorption and you now have too much thyroid hormone. With your next refill you get Bugs Bunny brand, but it only absorbs 98%, time for more blood work. Pharmacists know this and try to keep the same generic brand with each refill, but you should always check that you are receiving your refills from the same manufacturer. My pharmacist usually tells me when the generic manufacturer has been changed. But they are human and make mistakes like all of us, so you need to take the responsibility of asking or checking your medications and then notify your doctor so you can obtain the appropriate blood work. I know how frustrating and uncomfortable this can be, I too, am tired of the hormone rollercoaster ride mandated by insurance companies. I hope this information helps.
Marigold1208
20 Nov 2017
I too am new to brand name synthroid. Generic gave me the most horrible acid reflux in my life! And i had hiatal hernia/acid reflux surgery years ago. Also depressed, couldn't eat but a few bites, mood swings, bloated/swelled. I juggled all kinds meds for it -when- the 4 hours was up. Finally gave up as i had given it 4 weeks and went to doc and got synthroid. On day 5 now. Feeling the aches again and so tired again but thanks for those who posted that it may take a week or so to get in my system. stomach is better but still iffy. At least i can eat again and have coffee! My insurance cost is double but i found on synthroid website you can get a yearly card to pay only $25 with your insurance. If your insurance don't cover it, google synthroid coupons. I believe it is under rx coupons? It does work, i used at walgreens. It is saving voucher up to 74% off. You can print both and see whats best. Hope this helps someone! God Bless
Roadrunner71
19 Sep 2017
I had the same response to the generic form of Synthroid. My doctor initially placed me on brand name Synthroid and within a month I was back to feeling like my normal self. Then, like you, my insurance did the same thing. He placed me on the generic. Within the month, I was back to dragging myself along and feeling awful. The doctor was pretty confident this would be my reaction to the generic. Thankfully, he took the time to jump through all the insurance's hoops and I'm back on the brand name and feeling great and am full of energy again. My advice to you is go back to your doctor and fight to get back on brand name Synthroid. My research has indicated there are, indeed, differences between generic and brand name drugs and differences as to whether or not our bodies will accept or reject a given drug. May your determination to start feeling better be successful. It will be most worth the effort!
joe jarrett
13 Aug 2017
With any rx that has a generic,, if you or your doc want brand,,, make sure to have doc write DNS on script (do not substitute) There maybe a check box on script as well. DO BOTH. you should still save a little money (insur), than straight out of pocket.
Leticia61
23 April 2017
Yes! That just happened to me I've been taking synthroid for 5 years.I tried generic 4 years ago and my nervous system went haywire and started getting lumps on my arms and legs.so I had to go back to taking synthroid.
I changed insurance company this year and they said they couldn't pay for Synthroid .So I had my doctor fill out a letter of recommendation and it was approved a week later.
kippersinabox
19 April 2017
I can definitely tell the difference between generic medication and Synthroid. A few years ago when my insurance switched me to generic, I had queasy headaches, and neck pain to the point I asked for an x-ray/scan to make sure nothing was going wrong. Also, anything I tried to wear around my neck caused pain. When I complained the new medication was making me sick, my doctor switched me back to Synthroid. Problem solved. Fast forward to 2017: new insurance, now they insist on generic. I thought, "OK, maybe I was just being oversensitive." So I'm back on generic. Same problems as before. As we speak, I"m girding myself to do battle with the doctor & insurance company to get back onto Synthroid, but the way things are going I don't have much hope. I mean, if "medicine" is going to make you feel sick, why bother?
christina024
29 March 2017
TIP to help with cost! I use CVS pharmacy. I decided to do the mail order through CVS Caremark. CVS Caremark does NOT substitute and will give you Synthroid for the PRICE of the generic. So I paid $10 for a 90 day supply of Synthroid (not generic) instead of almost $90 for a 6-month supply.
christina024
29 March 2017
HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! When I first started thyroid medication, I was started on Synthroid. Because I was stair-stepping up my dose every time I had to get my level checked, I chose to go with the generic due to the cost and waste. Recently, I started having heart palpitations and it happened to coincide with a new bottle of generic. My doctor checked my levels and discussed it with me. Long story short, since thyroid drugs are measured in micrograms, generic drug manufacturers are allowed to have a larger variance in product, so the quality control and many other factors in making the drug can vary greatly. I did discover a tip though. I'll start a new "response" with that one!
Pattyjl1
14 April 2017
I feel the generic is different than the brand. I am a female & my hair is very brittle & falling out terribly... I am almost bald in the center of my scalp & I have to do a comb over now & it is so bad that I now have to use Toppik in my hair to cover the bald shiny areas. Several years ago I had my doctor give me the Synthroid instead of the generic which is Levothyroxine. So for the past few years my hair has gotten worse & I am very tired. One day I looked at the bottle & noticed it said levothyroxine so I called the pharmacy to find out what the generic name is & that was it. I told them I was supposed to be on Synthroid & asked how long has it been switched... they said almost 3 yrs. I was shocked & they didn't know why it was switched. I think my insurance dictated the generic so today I went back to my Dr. & asked him if this could be why the hair is falling out & so brittle & I am tired.
He said it could be so he is putting me back on the brand Synthroid. I will see what happens in time and get back to you at some point.
christina024
14 April 2017
It took me 2-3 weeks or maybe even a month of being back on Synthroid to really start to feel better. It was very gradual but I noticed after time, in the evenings I could go a lot longer and not be so tired, physically. Where as before, my husband always joked (and it's absolutely true) that we had to get all our accomplishments done for the day before I ate dinner because once I sat down to eat in the evenings, I was done for the day. Not another single thing would get done. I feel I can power through the evenings even after dinner now and don't feel as lethargic. Which to me, that's saying something! No one understands the physical exhaustion, like I just can't go anymore.
Pattyjl1
18 April 2017
Christina, I read both of your posts & I agree about being tired. Also, my endocronologist gave me a paper to get the drug cheaper if my insurance does not pay for much. It was called Synthroid Direct Program, which I had read about on this forum or another one. Also, I told my doctor no, that I don't get heart palpitations, but I realized there have been times I have had them & was concerned it was my heart & weight causing that, not the drugs. So when I go back I am going to let him know. I will be taking the Synthroid within the next week or 2. I will try to let you know the outcome after taking them for a while.
rajitripathi
23 Feb 2017
No, they are NOT. Contrary to what the doctors and pharmacists say, SYNTHROID is MUCH BETTER than LEVOTHYROXINE. They are assimilated differently.
I pay $10/mo extra in copay but it is well worth it. Pl immediately switch to SYNTHROID (all it takes is a prescription from your doctor)... to alleviate all those symptoms.
deadweight
13 Dec 2016
No they are not the same. Generic medicines are allowed to use different "fillers" the actual medicinal part is exactly the same but other ingredients can be used to be more cost effective as in a synthetic or natural product. After having my first child I had so much trouble getting my thyroid level to stay in the norms that were accepted I was sent to an Endocrinologist. For over a year they did tests and all kinds of dosages of Levothoraxin. He then out of frustration decided to use Synthroid and within one month my level was at a normal level. That was 17 years ago. When our insurance company started making us use generics i told my doctor about what happened all those years ago. He just put a notation in my records and had one phone call with my insurance and I still get Synthroid. However the generic is a little over $3.00 and for the name brand I pay over $37.00.
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Further information
- Synthroid uses and safety info
- Synthroid prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Synthroid (detailed)
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