Some patients won't substitute the branded drug for a generic, because it does not makes any effect. Why does this happens?
Why in some cases levothyroxine is not as effective as Synthroid?
Question posted by Solange319 on 14 Nov 2012
Last updated on 30 September 2019
19 Answers Page 2
I discussed this with my Endo. He said that the generic range is not accurate and is a range of 10% too high or low. So the control on generics depends on the manufacturer. You can actually bet they will put less since they save money.
The brand name is exactly as stated. All my prescriptions are written for non generic and the doctor adds: do not substitute.
You can check what you have with the name of the drug and the pill identifier above. There are pics of the actual pill and that will help you be sure what you are taking.
You are saying the FDA requires that brand name drugs (non-generic) be held to certain strict quality standards, but generics are not held to the same standard. That is a FALSE urban myth. Do an online search on brand name vs. generic drugs and you will find the FDA requirements for quality are the same for generic as they are for brand name prescription drugs.
Your comment is correct and not an Urban myth. According to a recent National Institute of Health article: "Currently, bioequivalence limits in use by the FDA when assessing a new generic medicine are that the generic medicine demonstrates 80-125% of the bioavailability of the originator drug [12]." That suggests a variance of 25% is possible.
Different people respond to different medications in different ways. Some generics don't work as well for me either. However, I've been taking the Levothyroxine for years and it's worked quite well for me. Just my experience.
Lisa
There are very few things I wouldn't take in generic, but a thyroid med is one of them. Every little bit different in absorption can make a difference.
My Dr. wants me to take synthroid instead of levothyroxine (generic), My insurance will not pay for synthroid. I was paying $75 for 90 day supply through my insurance but now they refuse to send it. I have coupons for local drug stores but a 90 day supply will be over $100! Is there any way to get synthroid for a reasonable price?
It has been a couple years going back and forth with my insurance company because they don't want to give me Synthroid. Finally they agreed but what they didn't tell me up front is that there is a $225 deductible! So now I pay $84 for a 90 day supply and then at the tail end of the year they come forth with a small amount--- new year starts and we're back to the $225 deductible. Express Scripts is my insurance.
I have blue cross and pay only $27 for a 90- mo supply of SYNTHROID.
get a coupon online go to walmart pay in cash get a cheaper price. PERIOD!!!
How many mcg's?
Thyroid medicine has T 4 and T 3. Some people have a hard time converting or breaking down T 4 into T 3. It's like diabetics need more protein, and dried beans have protein, but diabetics cannot absorb the protein from cooked dry beans like other people can. They have to get protein from meat and tuna.
Now to the other part of the question-later I'm going post an article about the problem of generic drugs. Basically-a brand makes a med with ingredients and they are compounded with ways for it to be absorbed in the body by a certain length of time-usually the best optimal time for a person to have the best effects. Generics quite often have to put extra coatings or different types of coatings and binders that slows down the absorption rate-at least changes it. Instead of thinking of a pill- we need to think of many little pills inside a capsule or pill, and each little pill dissolves and hits our systems at different times.
The FDA has refused to listen to complaints, but now they say they'll look into this problem. Don't hold your breath-and good luck.
Related topics
synthroid, levothyroxine, generic
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.