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Generic Thyroid Causes Problems

Posting Date: 03/03/2003

Q. For over thirty years, I have been treated for hypothyroidism. Originally, I was on a thyroid extract. Ten years ago, I was switched to Synthroid .125 mg. This year, when it was time to renew my prescription, the doctor wrote the prescription for a generic equivalent.

By the fourth day on the generic, my insides felt as though I was on the end of a tightly wound spring. I couldn't sleep; I had a slight case of diarrhea; I was sweating more than usual and my heart felt as though it would pound out of my chest. When I finally realized that all these symptoms might be due to the change in medication, I contacted the pharmacist and went back to the brand name Synthroid.

Immediately I calmed down, my heart stopped pounding, my digestive tract started behaving and I was back to my normal self. I thought that generic drugs were supposed to be identical to brand-name drugs. What happened?

A. The symptoms you describe are typical of excess thyroid hormone, suggesting that perhaps the generic pills you were taking were not dose-equivalent to Synthroid. We have heard similar accounts from others.

The FDA encourages patients, physicians and pharmacists to report such cases so they can monitor quality problems. But one reader reported, ?I tried reporting a generic drug reaction to the FDA, but getting through to them was difficult. Even the website is not very easy to navigate to report a problem. I was told someone would call me back, as everyone was in a training session. So far no one has called.?

If you suspect a generic you took was not up to standard, we will pass your story along. Reach us by email (pharmacy(at)mindspring.com) or by mail: People?s Pharmacy (Dept Generic); PO Box 52027; Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Is it necessary to have a prescription for prenatal vitamins? My OB/GYN sent me home with about eight varieties and asked me to determine which I liked best. She?ll send in a prescription.