The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the generic version of levothyroxine (FDA). The various pharmaceutical companies manufacture and market levothyroxine, a potent drug used to treat low thyroid hormone levels. In some cases, the generic version of Levothyroxine is sold for less than the branded product; in fact, it is half the price. Various medications are available in both brand name and generic formulations. The brand name is the first to go on sale in the market.

Following that, manufacturing companies are granted permission to produce the same drug. The chemical makeup of the generic version of levothyroxine, as well as its safety, is similar to that of the brand name version. The generic version of levothyroxine contains less consistent additives and fillers than the brand-name options.

This is due to the fact that generics are produced by various companies. You should look at the drug’s ingredients to see if it is generic or brand name. The addition of chemicals to the original composition renders the drug inactive, which may reduce the drug’s potency and cause some side effects.

Order Levothyroxine Tablets Online

You can request to order Levothyroxine online from our registered online store and pharmacy service. We ask that you complete an online medical assessment as part of your order. Our doctors will use this assessment to make sure that it is safe and suitable to prescribe for you.

If your order is approved, a prescription is sent to our online pharmacy team. From here, your medicine will be dispensed and dispatched to your delivery address. Please note, this service is only available for patients who are currently prescribed Levothyroxine on repeat by their GP.

What is Levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is a medicine that is used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). The active ingredient is Levothyroxine sodium. It is a prescription-only medicine and is not available over the counter. It is a commonly prescribed medicine and is the main medicine used in the treatment of an underactive thyroid. It may also replace thyroid hormone for people who have to have their thyroid completely removed or damaged due to thyroid cancer.

How does it work?

In people with an underactive thyroid gland, the thyroid does not produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. This hormone is essential for normal bodily functions like growth and metabolism. Having lower levels of thyroxine can cause symptoms like tiredness (low energy levels), muscle aches, weight gain, and depression.

It is a synthetic version of the hormone thyroxine and it works to replace the thyroxine that your thyroid gland isn’t producing. This helps to improve the symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

How to take the medication

You should take your Levothyroxine tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to. Your doctor will decide the most appropriate  starting dose for you based on a thyroid function blood test. The blood test tells your doctor what your thyroid hormone levels are. The test looks at serum TSH levels and T4 levels in the blood.

At the beginning of treatment, you may need frequent blood tests until your dose is right for you. When your dose is stable, you’ll usually have a blood test every year to monitor your dose.

You should swallow the tablets whole with water and usually your doctor will tell you to take the tablets before breakfast. It is best to take it on an empty stomach because some food or drinks can reduce the absorption of Levothyroxine.

Summary

Dose	Take as directed before breakfast on an empty stomach
Type of medicine	Thyroid hormone
Mechanism	Replaces or supplements the thyroxine your thyroid gland is not producing
Available Size	28 – 84 tablets
Strength	12.5ug – 100ug
Active Ingredient	Levothyroxine sodium
Price	From £35.99
Side Effects	Can include headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, feeling restless

Side Effects

Most side effects that happen can happen because the dose is not quite right. Once you and your doctor have found the dose that suits you, most side effects tend to improve.

The most common side effects are symptoms that are similar to an overactive thyroid. This may happen because the dose you take is too high. These side effects include muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, tremors, weight loss, and feeling restless. If you notice any of these side effects, contact your doctor because your dose may need to be changed.

Some people can have a severe reaction to high levels of thyroxine. If you notice symptoms such as a very high temperature, fast heart rate and confusion, speak to your doctor immediately.