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Originally Posted by Crafty Amanda I just looked at my prescription bottle for my thyroid meds this morning and noticed that the pharmacy gave me the generic instead of Synthroid. They gave me Levothyroxin. I had asked the doctor about generics and she had recommended NOT getting it for Synthroid as it often doesn't work as well. Now I have to call this morning and see how this happened. Not sure if the pharmacy made that decision or if the doctor wrote it out wrong. :-/
At any rate, that's kind of scary. I am going to make sure i check any prescription I get from here on out! |
Amanda, I had the exact same thing happen to me years ago. My pharmacy switched me from Synthroid to Levo without letting me know. YES, there IS a BIG difference! Thankfully I was under the care of a wonderful endocrinologist at the time. He told me that it was not all in my mind that I was feeling different (that is what my family doc was telling me). He said that the generic Synthroid is not a strong as the name brand Synthroid, it can be taken --with good reason because it is a lot cheaper to buy--but your medication levels must be altered. You will take a higher dose of the generic. Don't let anyone tell you that these 2 meds are the same!!
I have a very sensitive body when it comes to meds. I can tell within a week if my thyroid levels are off. I knew right away that something wasn't right--I was really tired again, I was getting cold quite often when there really wasn't a reason for it, my skin was really dry and I had a slight sore, scratchy throat most of the time. After more blood tests, I was right. I went back to taking Synthroid and for years (over 8), with regular testing, things have been ok.
When we moved to this area 4 yrs. ago, my new family doc told me that they had made some changes to the Levo (the generic). He suggested that I try it. I was sent for a full blood work screening and he was well aware that I knew that my levels would have to be adjusted to a higher dose - I wasn't playing that games again. It took about 3 months of me taking the generic brand for me to feel back to normal but I stuck it out. I'm still taking the generic today with no problems.
I would suggest that you talk with your physiciain about taking the generic OR taking Synthroid. Don't switch from one to the other. When I was taking Synthroid, I always had the doc write "No Substitutions!" on the form for the prescription.
When I asked my pharmacy why the change had been made without my knowledge, I was told that if the prescription does not clearly state
"no substitutions", it's up to the discretion of whoever is filling the order whether or not to use generics. I immediately changed pharmacies because even though I understood their reasoning, I felt as though I should've been asked about the switch when I picked up the medicine. With my presciption history right there in front of them, I thought that someone should've asked me if I was aware of the changes being made.
It has always worried me since then about how many senior citizens meds are switched every day without them knowing about it.
You've pointed out something
SO important: Talk to your doctor about the prescription he/she is writing so that you know what you are getting and then make sure to read the label on the bottle once you pick it up.
One day at a time I guess!
:pumpki nsg 
