Synthroid (levothyroxine) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to:

  • Treat three types of hypothyroidism:
    • primary hypothyroidism (caused by your thyroid gland)
    • secondary hypothyroidism (caused by your pituitary gland)
    • tertiary hypothyroidism (caused by your hypothalamus), which is present at birth or develops later in life

For more information about Synthroid’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about Synthroid:

  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • Generic version: levothyroxine

Read on to learn about Synthroid and its cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of Synthroid can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Synthroid has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Synthroid will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Synthroid. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Synthroid in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Synthroid requires prior authorization.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Synthroid.

Is there a manufacturer coupon or copay card available for Synthroid?

The manufacturer of Synthroid, AbbVie, may provide a coupon, copay card, or a savings program. To learn more, visit the program website.

You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How do I determine the cost of Synthroid without insurance?

The cost of prescription drugs, such as Synthroid, can vary.

Typically, prescription medications tend to cost more if you do not have insurance. If you’d like to know more about the costs you may pay for Synthroid, including costs with or without insurance, talk with your pharmacist.

You can also, visit AbbVie’s program website to learn more about a direct-pay program for people without insurance.

Does the cost of Synthroid vary by strength, such as 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 100 mcg, and 125 mcg?

Your cost for Synthroid may vary, depending on the specific dose your doctor prescribes. Your pharmacist can give you the price of Synthroid based on your specific prescription.

You can also visit AbbVie’s program website to learn more about patient support programs for people with and without insurance.

The active ingredient of Synthroid is levothyroxine. It’s available as the generic drug levothyroxine. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Synthroid and you’re interested in using levothyroxine instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as your plan may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Synthroid, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Synthroid long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Synthroid. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower your cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Synthroid may be available through a mail-order pharmacy program called Synthroid Delivers. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

Learn more information about the Synthroid Delivers program here.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Synthroid, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called the Before Breakfast Club is available for Synthroid. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Synthroid, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Synthroid. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Synthroid.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.