The cost of pharmaceuticals is determined by the type of medication, the dosage, the form of medication, whether it is a generic or a name brand, and where you live. Levothyroxine costs an average of $15.81 at the pharmacy, whereas other thyroid drugs cost anywhere from $4.07 to $93.98.
Is Nature-Throid available 2021?
While Nature-Throid is still unavailable, a doctor can prescribe Thyroid USP, which can be found at some compounding pharmacies. The Nature-Throid website includes a link to these pharmacies.
What thyroid medication is similar to Nature-Throid?
RLC Labs, the maker of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid medicines, has announced that all unexpired lots of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid are being voluntarily recalled to the consumer level. RLC Labs issued the following statement on September 2, 2020:
“To the consumer level, RLC Labs, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a total of 483 lots of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid in all strengths, all counts of product within current expiry.” The items are being recalled after the US Food and Drug Administration discovered that samples from six (6) lots were determined to be sub potency. The amount of Liothyronine (T3) or Levothyroxine in the product could be as low as 87 percent of the listed level (T4).
Patients receiving sub potent Nature-Throid or WP Thyroid for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) may experience signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), such as fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, puffy face, hair loss, slow heart rate, depression, thyroid gland swelling, and/or unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight. In newborn infants or pregnant women with hypothyroidism, there is a reasonable risk of serious harm, including early miscarriage, fetal hyperthyroidism, and/or fetal neurological and skeletal development abnormalities. Toxic cardiac symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as heart discomfort, palpitations, or cardiac arrhythmia, can arise in older patients and those with underlying cardiac illness.
There have been no reports of adverse events as a result of this recall, according to RLC Labs, Inc.
WP and Nature-Throid Thyroid (thyroid tablets, USP) is a medication that contains the hormones liothyronine and levothyroxine and is used to treat hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Patients who are using Nature-Throid or WP Thyroid should not stop taking them without first consulting their doctor for advice and/or a replacement prescription. To discuss next measures, you should contact your prescribing health care professional.
The recall of all lots could result in a thyroid therapy supply shortfall. Due to a worldwide shortage of pharmaceutical grade Thyroid USP, patients in 2017 suffered similar shortages of Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid. Patients and their doctors may choose to investigate NP Thyroid (Acella Pharmaceuticals) and Armour Thyroid (Allergan) as commercially available alternatives. In comparison to Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid, NP Thyroid and Armour Thyroid are standardized using a different thyroid USP amount (60mg vs. 65mg). The amount of therapy expressed in grains (gr.) (i.e. 1/4 grain, 1/2 grain, 1 grain, etc.) can be used to represent the strength of the patient’s thyroid medication and ensuring the patient receives the same amount of T3 and T4 supplementation.
Patients with hypothyroidism symptoms may be susceptible to some fillers included in prescription drugs. During the manufacturing process, different fillers are used by different thyroid medicine brands. To help patients decide tolerance, pharmacists can go over the inactive substances in each formulation with them.
Patients who are unable to locate their thyroid medicine due to a lack of supply may have their treatment altered from desiccated thyroid, which provides a consistent dose of levothyroxine (T4) and liothyroxine (T3), to alternatives that only provide T3 and/or T4 alone. Thyrolar was the only commercially available T3/T4 combo tablet that wasn’t made from dried swine thyroid (Liotrix). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified in December 2018 that the company had taken a commercial choice to stop producing Thyrolar tablets.
PERSONALIZED THYROID REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Patients and doctors can work together to develop a suitable thyroid replacement medication with the support of pharmacy specialists. We keep pure chemical versions of desiccated thyroid (Thyroid USP), levothyroxine (T4), and liothyronine (T3) on hand so that we may develop a personalized hormone blend with the right ratio to match each patient’s needs and keep their hormone balance in check. Desiccated thyroid, levothyroxine, and liothyronine can be compounded as single ingredients or as a combination of ingredients in capsules that release immediately or over time. We can exclude any problem-causing inactive elements like corn, gluten, starch, soy, or animal by-products from specific dosages and replace them with non-reactive fillers.
Thyroid replacement treatments that are commercially available may not be the best fit for a patient if:
- T3 and T4 supplementation would be beneficial to those who require non-porcine derived products.
When switching thyroid drugs from one manufacturer to another, the dose may need to be adjusted to fit the needs of the individual; the same is true for a compounded tailored thyroid prescription. We can prepare thyroid medicine in a number of strengths and combinations, giving patients a wider range of treatment alternatives. Based on your symptoms and your healthcare prescriber’s professional opinion, a little more or a little less isn’t a problem.
As pharmacists that specialize in personalized medicine, our mission is to satisfy the unique demands and situations of patients and physicians.
Patients may be at danger of receiving substandard or nonexistent thyroid replacement therapy if they don’t have the ability to produce tailored thyroid replacement therapy while these drugs are in limited supply.
Can Nature-Throid cause weight gain?
Weight gain is a rare adverse effect of Nature-Throid, but it can happen if the dosage isn’t high enough to adequately complement your low thyroid levels. When persons with low thyroid levels start taking thyroid drugs like Nature-Throid, it’s not uncommon for them to lose up to 10% of their body weight.
Who can prescribe Nature-Throid?
Yes, a prescription for Nature-Throid is required, and it must be written by a doctor. Nature-Throid is a desiccated thyroid replacement medication made from the glands of pigs. It was one of the earliest hypothyroidism treatments accessible when it was initially introduced in the 1930s.
How much does a 30 day supply of levothyroxine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, you’ll pay an average of $21.27 for a 30, 50MCG Tablet of Levothyroxine Sodium, but with a SingleCare Levothyroxine Sodium coupon, you’ll only pay $0.49 for a 30, 50MCG Tablet of generic Levothyroxine Sodium.
What is the cheapest thyroid medication?
Some Medicare and insurance programs cover Tirosint, although some drugstore coupons or cash pricing may be lower. Hypothyroidism is treated with the medication levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Synthroid, Levo-T, Unithroid, Levoxyl). It can also be used to treat thyroid cancer and an enlarged thyroid gland.
Can I get free prescriptions for thyroid?
You are eligible to free prescriptions for all of your medications if you have an underactive thyroid (not just your levothyroxine). You’ll need a medical exemption certificate to get your free medicines.
FP92A is the application form for a medical exemption certificate. This can be obtained through your doctor’s office. You must complete the form, after which your doctor will sign and send it to you.
Is nature thyroid still recalled?
Nature Throid and WP Thyroid, two porcine thyroid medicines used to treat hypothyroidism, are manufactured by RLC Labs. Thyroid USP is the active ingredient in each of these medications, along with a variety of inactive substances. RLC Labs decided to recall all unexpired batches of Nature Throid and WP Thyroid in August 2020. A total of 483 lot numbers from 2017 were included in the recall. These products are currently not in production, and the manufacturer does not know when production will resume if it will resume at all. Woodland Hills Pharmacy can manufacture a substitute for Nature Throid and WP Thyroid that uses the same active ingredient and can be made in any dosage.
Do you need a prescription for Nature-Throid?
Tablets of WP Thyroid and Nature-Throid ARE MEDICATIONS ON PRESCRIPTION. The FDA encourages you to report any unfavorable side effects from prescription medicines. Call 1-800-FDA-1088 or go to www.fda.gov/medwatch.