Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone prescribed by physicians for the treatment of thyroid hormone deficiency which is also referred to as hypothyroidism. It is also used for the prevention of the recurrence of thyroid cancer. It has also been proven effective for the treatment of goiter and nodular thyroid disease by suppressing the thyroid stimulating hormone secretion. This drug is included in the list of essential medicines released by the World Health Organization. Its most common trade name for marketing purposes is Levothroid. The drug was also used for hypercholesterolemia but was recalled due to cardiac side effects.
Short-Term Side Effects
The most common short term side effects of Levothyroxine include accelerated heart rate, irregular heartbeat, fever, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, menstrual period changes, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, mild hair loss, as well as weight changes, among others. Such conditions usually go away on their own after a day or two, but it is still recommended that you stop medication and consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
Long-Term Side Effects
Long term use of Levothyroxine is known to cause heart palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea, anxiousness, agitation, and certain allergic reactions not limited to hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, heart failure, and even coma for some. These symptoms are considered rare and more related to overdose. Patients with history of diseases such as heart disease, anemia, diabetes, and osteoporosis should consult a doctor first before ingesting this drug, as prolonged intake of the said substance is said to worsen the mentioned pre-existing conditions.
Dosage | Quantity | Price Without Insurance |
CVS Pharmacy |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $11.99 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $14.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $16.49 |
Kmart |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $15.00 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $26.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $32.00 |
Kroger |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $12.99 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $20.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $28.00 |
Publix |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $15.00 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $18.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $20.00 |
Rite Aid |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $21.99 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $25.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $35.00 |
Sams Club |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $19.99 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $22.89 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $32.00 |
Target |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $16.00 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $18.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $24.00 |
Walgreens |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $12.00 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $15.00 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $18.00 |
Walmart |
| 50mcg | 30 Tablets | $13.99 |
| 100mcg | 30 Tablets | $17.99 |
| 200mcg | 30 Tablets | $21.89 |
Drug Interaction
Levothyroxine has several known drug interactions which should be avoided in fear of serious side effects which could prove to be lethal at some point. If you are taking medication such as Caltrate, Citracal, Oystercal, ferrous sulfate (iron supplement), sucralfate, as well as various antacids (Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Genaton, Maalox), then it is advised that you consult your doctor first in order to know some alternatives which could work better for you.
How It Works
What Levothyroxine does is supplement the thyroid’s production of thyroxine, an endogenous hormone converted to an active metabolite which is mainly responsible for the generation of hormones which are vital for metabolism purposes, especially for children in their developing years. Hypothyroidism is the lack of production of such substances by the thyroid, which proves to be detrimental to the growth of a young adult. For older individuals, such imbalance could cause thyroid cancer or goiter.
Generic Alternatives
Levothyroxine Price depends on the drugstore from which you are purchasing. The average Levothyroxine Price tends to fall between the $4 to $15 range for 30 tablets of 50 mcg each from retailer stores such as Walmart, Kmart, and Walgreens. Levothyroxine Price could be significantly reduced if a promo coupon is presented in certain drugstores or purchased online. Levothyroxine is the generic name of Levothroid and comes in the form of tablets in 25 mcg up to 300 mcg varieties. Alternative brand names include Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, and Unithroid, among others.
Long term use of Levothyroxine is known to cause heart palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea, anxiousness, agitation, and certain allergic reactions not limited to hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, heart failure, and even coma for some. These symptoms are considered rare and more related to overdose. Patients with history of diseases such as heart disease, anemia, diabetes, and osteoporosis should consult a doctor first before ingesting this drug, as prolonged intake of the said substance is said to worsen the mentioned pre-existing conditions.
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