Unithroid Update -- Where Can You Get Unithroid, and When?

Join the Discussion "Also, if alot of people are having a hard time finding Unithroid, can't they ask for Thyrox, which is maybe better known by the pharmacists? Every time I mention Unithroid to a pharmacist, they look at me like I'm speaking another language. . . " ELAINEA1     Related Resources •  Should You Switch to Unithroid? • Food and Drug Administration Approves Unithroid • Thyroid Drug Database

by Mary J. Shomon

As of February 2001, Unithroid is still the only FDA-approved levothyroxine thyroid hormone replacement drug. Until August of 2001, it is still legal to sell other brands of levothyroxine, but if the other brands -- including Synthroid -- do not receive FDA new drug application approval for their levothyroxine products, they will become illegal to sell after August of 2001.

In the meantime, many people who have wanted to take Unithroid have had trouble finding it. Pharmacies and doctors are saying they've never heard of it, or don't carry it.

In an interview with Watson Pharmaceuticals, the distributor of Unithroid, they have stated that Unithroid-brand and labelled levothyroxine just started shipping to wholesalers during mid-January, so you should be finding it much more widely available in February. Please note that some of the chains may not have it available right away, but should be able to get it within a day or so from the wholesaler. You may also wish to have your doctor specify Thyrox, which is one of the names of the Jerome Stevens product that is now being renamed to Unithroid.

A majority of pharmacies will have access to Unithroid, so this spring, you should begin to find it more easiily.

Pricing for the product will be competitive, and slightly less costly than Synthroid.

Watson Pharmaceuticals will be embarking on an extensive marketing campaign to doctors, to make them aware of the product, and its FDA approval. Journal ads and mailings will take place, and a sales force of 300 sales reps will be calling on physicians.

For medical inquiries about Unithroid, you can contact their 800 line, 800-272-5525, and push the button for customer service.

Please note that if you get your prescriptions filled through Merck/Medco (which handles approximately 25% of the nation's mail order prescriptions for many HMOS) they have a large current stockpile of Levotabs, which is the same as Unithroid, it was just produced by Jerome Stevens before the name change and FDA approval. They will be using up this supply of Levotabs before reordering a new supply of Unithroid. If you have Merck/Medco coverage for your prescriptions, be sure your physician writes a prescription that says "Unithroid OR Levotabs," so that you don't run into trouble having it filled.

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