Michael

Your doctor's concern was a valid one. By definition, generic drugs are
allowed a +/- 20% effectiveness in relation to the original non-generic
drug, while this may not be a big deal with generic ibuprofen, with hormone
replacements that is a hauge potential difference. 

If this is the brand which the mail order pharmacy will be sending
consistantly, then you and your doctor should, with testing, be able to
verify what you dosage for this brand should be. If this pharmacy buys
whatever is cheapest when they are restocking and do not maintain a
consistent brand then you and your doctor may need to consider requiring a
non-generic, though probably at a higher co-pay.

Another potential problem for some is when "generic equivalents" aren't
remotely equivalent. I am normally treated with Armour Thyroid, which
contains both T3 and T4 in a fixed ratio. Once when my doctor forgot to
check the "No Substatution Allowed" block on the prescription I was flatly
informed that a generic T4 was the generic equivalent for this med, even
though it contained no T3 at all. Generic equivalents are apparently
whatever the computer says are equivalent.

Chuck 

> Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 5:15 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [THYROID] 2 different gemeric synthroid pills the same?
> 
> I've been taking 75 mcg Levothyroxine for awhile now for 
> Hypothyroidism.
> I've been getting 30 pills every month, the most I can from a 
> pharmacy.
> 
> Recently our prescription plan administrator notified me that 
> I could get a
> 90 day supply, but only through mail order.
> 
> I decided to go this route because it's cheaper and easier
> But my doctor advised me to get the same brand because they can be
> different.
> 
> When I ordered the mail order pills I told them this and gave 
> them the name
> of the brand, Mylan.
> They said it'd be no problem, that's what I'd get.
> 
> So today I receive the prescription in the mail and they're not Mylan!
> They are from a different manufacturer, Lannett.
> 
> Does anyone here have any opinions on switching to a different brand?
> I'm reluctant to do so because of what my doctor told me.
> 
> Michael




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