Is there a difference between Synthroid and levothyroxine?

What's the difference between levothyroxine and Synthroid? Levothyroxine and Synthroid contain the same active (main) ingredient, levothyroxine, which is human-made T4. Levothyroxine is the generic name for Synthroid.

Is Synthroid safer than levothyroxine?

It's Equally Safe

Generic levothyroxine is just as safe as the brand names—in the United States, these include Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, and Tirosint—because it has the same FDA-approved active ingredient (levothyroxine).

Is it OK to switch from generic levothyroxine to Synthroid?

You should not change from one brand of thyroid medication to another, from your brand of thyroid medication to a generic product, or from one generic product to another without first checking with your doctor.

What is the downside to taking levothyroxine?

Common side effects of levothyroxine include heat intolerance, a fast heart rate, and diarrhea. More serious levothyroxine side effects are also possible. If you experience side effects like tremors or mood changes, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

Is Synthroid the same as Levothroid?

Levoxyl and Synthroid are brand names for the drug levothyroxine. Levoxyl and Synthroid contain the same active ingredient, levothyroxine, but they contain different inactive ingredients. Levoxyl tablets contain the inactive ingredients: Calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Dr. Gregory Davis - Thyroid Medication: Synthroid vs Generic

Why was levothyroxine taken off the market?

Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Levothyroxine and Liothyronine (Thyroid Tablets, USP) Due to Risk of Adulteration | FDA.

What are the long-term effects of taking levothyroxine?

The studies proving this are not limited in numbers, they demonstrate an association between long-term levothyroxine therapy and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and fractures. In addition to this it also increases the economic burden on the patients owing to price surge [5].

What are 3 side effects of levothyroxine?

Do you have to stay on levothyroxine forever?

An underactive thyroid is a lifelong condition, so you'll usually need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life. If you're prescribed levothyroxine because you have an underactive thyroid, you're entitled to a medical exemption certificate. This means you do not have to pay for your prescriptions.

Does Synthroid and levothyroxine have the same side effects?

Because the active chemicals in both brand name and generic levothyroxine are the same, they share the same side effect profile. Most of the side effects of both medications come from getting too much of the synthetic hormone, leading to hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormone) symptoms.

Why is brand Synthroid better than generic?

Drug Consistency

Most brand-name drugs do not differ much from their generic counterparts, so switching between the two is not an issue. Levothyroxine, however, is one of a handful of exceptions. The versions differ in two key ways: potency and added, usually inactive ingredients.

What foods should be avoided when taking Synthroid?

Foods containing soy and cottonseed meal can make Synthroid less effective. Walnuts, grapefruit juice, and dietary fiber can also make Synthroid less effective. If you eat any of these on a regular basis, check with your doctor. He or she may need to adjust your dose of Synthroid.

Is Synthroid hard on your liver?

When given in high doses, thyroid hormone preparations can cause mild serum enzyme elevations. In addition, standard doses of levothyroxine have been linked to rare instances of mild, immunoallergic liver injury.

Why should you not take Synthroid at night?

There is consensus that levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. A pilot study showed that levothyroxine intake at bedtime significantly decreased thyrotropin levels and increased free thyroxine and total triiodothyronine levels.

What is the safest medication for hypothyroidism?

For most people with hypothyroidism, levothyroxine is the best treatment option. If levothyroxine isn't working or if someone cannot take it, liothyronine would be next in line. Natural thyroid medications — and alternative therapies like iodine — aren't recommended for use.

Is levothyroxine a high risk medication?

Levothyroxine may cause serious or life-threatening problems when given in large doses, especially when taken with amphetamines such as amphetamine (Adzenys, Dyanavel XR, Evekeo), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and methamphetamine (Desoxyn).

Can levothyroxine damage your heart?

This is especially true in patients with heart failure. While levothyroxine replacement may improve heart failure, it is possible that in this group it could have harmful effects, especially if the levothyroxine dose is too high.

How do you know if levothyroxine is working?

You and your doctor should set up a plan to test and measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) every few weeks after beginning medication. This is the best way to know whether it is working.

Is there a natural replacement for levothyroxine?

Desiccated thyroid is a natural preparation, and it was the only treatment for hypothyroidism before levothyroxine was available. It has a characteristic, strong odor. Armour Thyroid is the most common desiccated thyroid.

Can you get off thyroid medication?

Yes, it's possible. But you should always check with your healthcare provider first. Whether you're able to safely stop taking thyroid medication may depend on the reason you are taking it. Research shows that some people can safely stop taking thyroid medications.

Can hypothyroidism go away?

ANSWER: For mild cases of hypothyroidism, not all patients need treatment. Occasionally, the condition may resolve without treatment. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor hypothyroidism over time, however. If hypothyroidism doesn't go away on its own within several months, then treatment is necessary.

What is the best prescription thyroid medication?

The most common treatment is levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid, Unithroid Direct), a man-made version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It acts just like the hormone your thyroid gland normally makes.

Is there a better medication than levothyroxine?

Switching from levothyroxine to Cytomel

Cytomel contains a synthetic version of T3 called liothyronine. T3 is three to four times more potent than T4, which is found in levothyroxine.

Is Synthroid the best?

Synthroid (levothyroxine) is the recommended treatment for hypothyroidism and prescribed by most doctors. The American Thyroid Association along with other international thyroid organizations agree that Synthroid is the most effective treatment option.