Unithroid (levothyroxine) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for conditions including hypothyroidism in children and adults. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Unithroid is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses in children and adults:
- to treat hypothyroidism
- to help manage certain types of thyroid cancer by lowering thyroid-stimulating hormone levels
As with all medications, the cost of Unithroid can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Unithroid has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Unithroid will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Unithroid prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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Unithroid is 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 Unithroid and you’re interested in taking 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 it may cover only one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Unithroid, 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 Unithroid 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 Unithroid. 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 the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Unithroid may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. 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.
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. Also, you may be eligible for the Unithroid At Your Door prescription delivery program. To learn more about this program, call 833-691-1205 or visit the program website.
If you need financial support to pay for Unithroid, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called the eVoucherRx Program is available for Unithroid. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website. If you’re using a mail-order pharmacy, you can call 877-264-2440.
- 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.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Unithroid.
How does Unithroid’s cost compare with that of medications such as Synthroid?
The price you would pay for Unithroid versus Synthroid (levothyroxine) and other medications depends on several factors. For example, it may depend on whether you’re prescribed a brand-name or generic medication for your condition.
Similar to Unithroid, Synthroid is a brand-name drug that’s available in a generic version. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. So Unithroid’s cost may be similar to that of Synthroid but possibly more than the cost of the generic version.
Other factors that can affect your prescription cost include:
- the length of time you’ll be taking the medication
- the drug form* and quantity your doctor prescribes
- whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
If you’d like to know more about the cost of Unithroid compared with other treatments, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
* Both Unithroid and Synthroid come as oral tablets and in the same strengths.
What is the cost of Unithroid without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for Unithroid if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher without insurance.
There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
- your dosage
- the pharmacy you use
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Unithroid.
Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of Unithroid’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Unithroid.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Unithroid. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Unithroid in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication.
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 Unithroid requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Unithroid, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Unithroid. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Unithroid.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Unithroid, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition. For details about the conditions Unithroid is prescribed for, see this list of hypothyroidism articles and our cancer hub.
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.