Levothyroxine for thyroid from Lupin Pharmaceutical (Rite Aid)

[Auggie]

Anyone taking generic levothyroxine manufactured by Lupin Pharmaceutical for low thyroid function might want to have their TSH, T3, T4 levels tested, especially if you're feeling a bit "off."

(Lupin won the right to manufacture and sell levothyroxine in late 2019—Rite Aid began to offer it as their generic thyroid medication)

A few months ago I had my TSH checked and it came back mysteriously low. After a little digging I discovered the Rite Aid switch to the Lupin drug, and that it might be working on me differently (not all generic levothyroxines are the same, I guess).

I asked to be changed to the brand name Synthroid and had my levels tested again after a few weeks. They're back where they should be. I feel loads better too.

Synthroid may not be for everyone. It's about 2 1/2 times the cost of the generic. And there may be another generic out there that works just as well as the brand.

This isn't a plug for Synthroid nor a knock on Lupin. I just thought I'd share what can happen with different drug manufacturers.

[elleng]

1. Thanks.

I've noticed no changes, went from synthroid a few years ago, can't quite read the brand name I have, but it's not lupin. (CVS)

[Mosby]

2. Bookmarking for later.

Thx!

[Kali]

3. your thyroid gland itself can vary too

some people bounce around a lot no matter what they are taking.

[Auggie]

9. Mmmm ...

my Doctor told me that's not usually the case.

[Backseat Driver]

4. Glad you're feeling better!

This is why it's always good to do some research about those scripts your insurer "prefers." Did you at least get a kudo from your doctor for checking in for the change?)

[Auggie]

7. Thanks ...

it was the doctor that suggested the test, without any prompt by me. And it was the office staff that alerted me to the variances in generics. I did the digging into Lupin and Rite Aid myself. A team effort, so kudos all around.

[we can do it]

5. I take NP Thyroid. Better than synthetics for me.

[nilram]

6. Synthroid and Levoxyl are the gold and silver standards, respectively.

Last edited Sat Apr 10, 2021, 03:51 AM - Edit history (1)

Even if you take another brand, whenever you switch brands, you need to get retested after a couple months. The binders or trace ingredients can affect absorption differently in different people. Of course, that's all baloney until you check it out with your own doctor.

[Auggie]

8. Thanks for sharing