How Much Does Levothyroxine Cost?
Levothyroxine Sodium, a generic version of the brand names Levothroid®, Levoxyl®, Synthroid®, Tirosint®, and Unithroid®, is a drug which is used to treat either an enlarged thyroid gland and/or thyroid cancer. While there are brand-name versions of this drug available, the brand-name versions will not be interchangeable with the generic versions.
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How much does levothyroxine cost?
Generic levothyroxine, in most cases, will be covered by both private health insurance policies and Medicare/Medicaid, but for those who do not have a health insurance plan, then it is best to budget at least $3 to $15 per 30 tablets. This cost will greatly depend on the pharmacy you use.
As for those with a health insurance plan, the co-pays generally ranged from $0 to $14, depending on your insurance policy. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, from what we researched, did cover this drug.
With a good chance of multiple pharmacies in your area, we did call a few to see what they would charge and included the estimates we received over the phone. Keep in mind these costs were for those without insurance.
| Pharmacy | Price Quoted |
|---|---|
| Albertsons | $20 |
| Costco | $14 |
| CVS/Target | $12 |
| Independent | $15 |
| Kroger | $12 |
| Rite Aid | $10 |
| Safeway | $20 |
| Sam's Club | $10 |
| Walgreens | $10 (part of tier 2 $10 drug on valued-price list) |
| Walmart | $4 (part of the $4 generic list) |
NOTE: These were estimates over the phone and will not be guaranteed. These quotes were for a 30-pack at a 50mcg dosage. At this time, you will need a prescription from your doctor to purchase and no over-the-counter alternatives exist.
As for just the dosages in general, here are the averages we found online.
| Dosage | Quantity | Average Price (per pill) | Average Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mcg (0.025 mg) | 30 | $0.45 | $13 |
| 25 mcg (0.025 mg) | 100 | $0.24 | $23 |
| 25 mcg (0.025 mg) | 1000 | $0.15 | $155 |
| 50 mcg (0.05 mg) | 30 | $0.44 | $13 |
| 50 mcg (0.05 mg) | 100 | $0.25 | $25 |
| 50 mcg (0.05 mg) | 1000 | $0.17 | $165 |
| 75 mcg (0.075 mg) | 30 | $0.50 | $15 |
| 75 mcg (0.075 mg) | 100 | $0.30 | $30 |
| 75 mcg (0.075 mg) | 1000 | $0.25 | $250 |
| 88 mcg (0.088 mg) | 100 | $0.30 | $30 |
| 88 mcg (0.088 mg) | 1000 | $0.20 | $200 |
| 100 mcg (0.1 mg) | 30 | $0.25 | $15 |
| 100 mcg (0.1 mg) | 100 | $0.20 | $20 |
| 100 mcg (0.1 mg) | 1000 | $0.25 | $250 |
| 125 mcg (0.125 mg) | 30 | $0.60 | $18 |
| 125 mcg (0.125 mg) | 100 | $0.40 | $40 |
| 125 mcg (0.125 mg) | 1000 | $0.30 | $300 |
| 150 mcg (0.15 mg) | 30 | $0.55 | $15 |
| 150 mcg (0.15 mg) | 100 | $0.35 | $35 |
| 150 mcg (0.15 mg) | 1000 | $0.25 | $250 |
| 200 mcg (0.2 mg) | 30 | $0.60 | $20 |
| 200 mcg (0.2 mg) | 100 | $0.40 | $40 |
| 200 mcg (0.2 mg) | 1000 | $0.35 | $350 |
| 300 mcg (0.3 mg) | 100 | $0.85 | $85 |
NOTE: The dosages will be based on a variety of factors, including your condition, lab results, age, weight and how well you respond to treatment.
GoodRX.com, according to its study, noted the average price at a local pharmacy was $16.98, with the “GoodRx Fair Price” being $11.63 for 30 tablets of levothyroxine 50mcg.
How to take levothyroxine
Always read the instructions as provided by the manufacturer, doctor and/or pharmacist before taking levothyroxine as you will need to take it the rest of your life and altering the dosage can affect your treatment. As per the leaflet, you will take this medication orally, usually once a day on an empty stomach about 60 minutes before you have breakfast. A pharmacist on CVS notes that if you were to take it on a full stomach, it could interfere with the drug’s effectiveness. Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, you will want to take the medication with a full glass of water. The tablet must be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, chewed or split. As there are various brands, do not attempt to mix without first consulting with your doctor.
Side effects
As per the label, side effects often occur within the first few months of treatment. This can include hair loss, an increase in sweating, higher-than-average thyroid hormone levels, mood changes, diarrhea, shaking, headaches, a shortness of breath, pain, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat or swelling. Serious allergic reactions, while rare, can occur as well, including itching, rashes and/or dizziness. If any side effects do occur, talk with your doctor right away.
How to save on levothyroxine
Check multiple discounted prescription drug-based websites such as Drugs.com or GoodRx.com. Here, you can find a local pharmacy that accepts the coupon, allowing you to save as much as 80%. A search for “levothyroxine coupon” could yield relatable results as well.
A 90-day supply, most of the time, will be cheaper than a 30-day supply. Seeing you will need this medication for life, it’s always best to get the highest amount at a time to lower the costs.
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