Many people have been writing to me, concerned that they are unable to get prescription refills of the drug Thyrolar. Many times, we hear incorrectly from pharmacists that a drug is "no longer available" or "out of business" etc. and people have been hearing this about Thyrolar. That is NOT the case. But it WILL be difficult to get your prescription for most dosages of Thyrolar filled for a number of months...
Thyrolar, the brand name of the drug liotrix, is made by Forest Labs. Thyrolar is a combination synthetic T4/T3 drug, and is the only drug of this kind made in the U.S. There is no generic liotrix on the market.
According to Forest, shortages may persist through September 2004 on all strengths of Thyrolar except for Thyrolar-3. This means that Thyrolar Thyrolar-1/4, Thyrolar-1/2, Thyrolar-1, and Thyrolar-2 are all affected. The shortages are apparently due to changes to the manufacturing process that are taking longer to implement than anticipated. According to the manufacturer, there are no product safety issues, no mandatory recall/cessation of distribution. Product that is still available in the pipeline is safe. You can, continue to use Thyrolar where available.
And, Dr. Roby Mitchell wrote to me to share his good advice regarding another option. Says Dr. Mitchell:
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE MEANTIME?
You can have your doctor prescribe 2 separate drugs -- levothyroxine (synthetic T4) plus Cytomel (synthetic T3) -- or, you may want to have your doctor switch you to the natural desiccated thyroid product also produced by Forest, Armour Thyroid. Find out more about Armour now, and visit the Armour site for a chart to aid in converting dosages from Thyrolar to Armour.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Find out more about Thyrolar
Visit the Thyrolar official website
WANT TO CONTACT FOREST DIRECTLY?
If you need more information, contact Forest Labs directly, by email, at info@forestpharm.com
Thyrolar, the brand name of the drug liotrix, is made by Forest Labs. Thyrolar is a combination synthetic T4/T3 drug, and is the only drug of this kind made in the U.S. There is no generic liotrix on the market.
According to Forest, shortages may persist through September 2004 on all strengths of Thyrolar except for Thyrolar-3. This means that Thyrolar Thyrolar-1/4, Thyrolar-1/2, Thyrolar-1, and Thyrolar-2 are all affected. The shortages are apparently due to changes to the manufacturing process that are taking longer to implement than anticipated. According to the manufacturer, there are no product safety issues, no mandatory recall/cessation of distribution. Product that is still available in the pipeline is safe. You can, continue to use Thyrolar where available.
And, Dr. Roby Mitchell wrote to me to share his good advice regarding another option. Says Dr. Mitchell:
Another alternative is to have the compounding pharmacist make up a T3/T4 combo per the doctor's specs. The Armour is the most economical solution, but for patients who get it covered on their insurance, the compounded formula makes the smoothest transition.Unofficial word is that September is probably the latest that things will be moving, and it's likelier that we'll see Thyrolar available again within the next 3 months or so.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE MEANTIME?
You can have your doctor prescribe 2 separate drugs -- levothyroxine (synthetic T4) plus Cytomel (synthetic T3) -- or, you may want to have your doctor switch you to the natural desiccated thyroid product also produced by Forest, Armour Thyroid. Find out more about Armour now, and visit the Armour site for a chart to aid in converting dosages from Thyrolar to Armour.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WANT TO CONTACT FOREST DIRECTLY?
If you need more information, contact Forest Labs directly, by email, at info@forestpharm.com
The comment, dated 2004, concerning Thyrolar, stating no longer available is a little outdated. I currently have an rx for it but no one is carrying it. Even Costco who was the last to provide it, doesn’t have it either. You need to update you info for people reading your website. Thanks
Forest at this time has released thyrolar in all strengths. August 6th, 2007 – I am having problems getting it though because my insurance company Medco is not buying it. If anyone has them for medications – please call and ask for thyrolar – no substitutions. Maybe if enough people called they would get it.