Generic drugs help reduce treatment costs while generally delivering equal (non-inferior) results.
There is no evidence of one being “more safe” or “less safe” than another.
All generic levothyroxine products in the United States are independently certified by the USP.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
Risk of Heart Disease?
With Synthroid, the issue is slightly different.
Recent studies have largely allayed some of these fears:
Can I Switch From Synthroid?
Not all of the concerns about generic levothyroxine have been allayed.
Among them, studies have shown that the very practice of switching is linked to poordrug adherence.
By contrast, sticking with the same drugirrespective of the drug typeis associated with better adherence and better outcomes.
Whatever form of levothyroxine you use, take it daily as prescribed to ensure the best results.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bioequivalence studies for generic drug development.
AbbVie.Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium) tablets, for oral use.
Neolpharma.Levo-T (levothyroxine sodium) tablets, for oral use.
Pfizer.Levoxyl (levothyroxine sodium) tablets, for oral use.
U.S. Pharmacopeia.USP and FDA working together to protect public health.
2014;24(12):1670751. doi:10.1089%2Fthy.2014.0028.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package.
Mylan.Mylan receives FDA approval for levothyroxine sodium tablets.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroxine products joint position statement.
doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000282
American Thyroid Association.What are the differences in thyroid preparations?
Tirosint.com.Tirosint (levothyroxine sodium) capsules.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroid hormone treatment.
