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Levothyroxine / L-Thyroxine

By , About.com Guide

Created: December 29, 2003

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Question: Levothyroxine / L-Thyroxine
Answer: Pronunciation: lee-voe-thye-ROCKS-een, ell-thye-ROCKS-een

Brand Names

Brand names in the U.S: Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid
Brand names in Canada: Synthroid, Eltroxin, and PMS-Levothyroxine

Brand names outside U.S.: Euthyrox, Thyroxine, Berlthyrox, Droxine, Eferox, Elthyrone, Eltroxin, Eutirox, Letrox, Levaxin, Levotirox, Levothyrox, Levotiroxina, Oroxine, T4KP, Thevier, Throxinique, Thyradin, Thyradin S, Thyrax, Thyrax Duotab, Thyrex, Thyro-4, Thyrosit, Thyroxin, Thyroxin-Natrium, Tiroidine

Description

Levothyroxine is the generic name for the synthetic form of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement drug. This drug contains the synthetic form of one thyroid hormone, T4. Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone replacement drug. Most doctors do not recommend the generic version of this drug, but the different brand names are considered bioequivalent in terms of effectiveness. Primary difference between brands is that each brand has different fillers and binders, and some patients may have allergies to some brands, or pill dosage sizes, versus others. 50 mcg size pills are morelikely to be hypoallergenic and dye-free for most manufacturers.

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