Answers from
The Pharmacists
America Trusts^SM

§ Generic levothyroxine contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Synthroid® and Levoxyl® but is available at a lower price than the brand-name drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that generic levothyroxine and brand-name Synthroid and Levoxyl are equivalent. The FDA requires all drugs—both brand-names and their generic counterparts—to be proven safe and effective. Since generics use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body as their brand-name counterparts, they also have the same risks and benefits.

§ If you are considering asking your doctor about switching between a brand-name product and generic levothyroxine, be aware that while the FDA has deemed generic levothyroxine therapeutically equivalent to both Synthroid and Levoxyl, your doctor should determine if a switch is suitable for you.

§ Levothyroxine requires the same amount of monitoring as the brand-name products. However, your doctor may require one additional blood test eight to 12 weeks after starting generic levothyroxine. Your doctor will determine whether you will need to have additional blood tests.

§ Synthroid, Levoxyl, and generic levothyroxine have the same active ingredients, but they look different. In the United States, trademark laws do not allow a generic drug to look exactly like the brand-name drug. While the colors, flavors, and certain other inactive ingredients may be different, the active ingredient is identical.