FDA Opens Door for Generic Synthroid

But Will You Want It?

Would You Want a Generic Synthroid?

There's no question that competitors will likely attempt to gain FDA approval for generic versions of Synthroid. And when those products receive approval, it's likely that you'll find your drugstores or health insurers attempting to replace your Synthroid with the new and cheaper generic version.

Whether or not to accept that generic will be a decision you'll need to make with your practitioner.

Some experts caution that the biggest concern is not taking a generic, but getting different generics with each refill. This is where the problem can come up with generics, because if more than one generic for Synthroid were approved, each time you went for a refill, you could get a different manufacturer's product or batch, and experience variations in potency.

There is also the potency issue. In particular, when you first switch from Synthroid to a generic, you may find the generic more or less potent than your Synthroid.

Many patients, however, will find that once regulated on a dose of a new brand of levothyroxine, they do fine.

Stay tuned for further updates on the road toward generic Synthroid, and what it means for you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SYNTHROID

You can learn the entire history of this controversial drug in our chronological Synthroid Information Center, covering news and views on the drug, its history, issues and concerns since 1997.