What does it mean for you - generics

[Guest guest]

This is from about.com. This is mainly talking about the synthics but

has good information.

What Does It Mean for You?

The question is whether or not this is good or bad news for consumers

who take levothyroxine drugs. Only you and your doctor can know for

sure, but here are some considerations.

Generic Levothyroxine -- Low-Cost Versions of Synthroid and Levoxyl --

Approved

First, if you are on Synthroid or Levoxyl, and you get a generic, you

may find that you absorb or process it somewhat differently. If you

are stabilized on a brand name levothyroxine, but want to try a lower-

cost generic, or don't have a choice and must switch to a generic at

the direction of your insurance or HMO, be sure to discuss it with

your doctor. If you do switch, monitor your symptoms carefully (Note:

the " Hypothyroidism Symptoms Checklist in my book Living Well With

Hypothyroidism is a good way to monitor symptom changes and

severity.) Plan to have your thyroid levels rechecked about six weeks

after the switch, to ensure that you are not having fluctuations in

key thyroid blood levels.

Second, the key challenge with generics, and a valid complaint by

doctors, is that when you have a prescription for generic

levothyroxine, every time you get a refill, you may get a

levothyroxine made by a different company. This means that every time

you get a refill, you may have a product that has slightly different

potency, which could have an impact on your TSH levels. This is

particularly a concern for thyroid cancer survivors, who require

careful dosing in order to suppress TSH as a way to prevent cancer

recurrence. One way to minimize this fluctuation is to get a supply

that will last for some time. Consider getting your doctor to write

you a prescription for a six-month supply, for example. But when you

get this prescription filled, make sure you get a fresh batch, one

that will not expire unti long after you will have used up the six-

months' worth of drugs.

Third, if you and your doctor determine that you should not try a

generic, or if you have tried a generic and determined that you

prefer a brand name, be sure to have your physician write your

prescription along with the special designation " DAW " or " dispense as

written " along with " no generic substitution. " This way you have a

better chance of having your insurance company or HMO fill the brand

name prescription as written, without attempting to substitute the

lower-cost generic.