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Have you been prescribed levothyroxine for the treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)? If you don’t have prescription drug coverage in your health insurance plan, you might be wondering: What is the cash price of levothyroxine? The price of levothyroxine depends on various factors. You can expect to pay anywhere from $12 for 30 tablets of generic levothyroxine 25-micrograms (mcg) to as much as $270 for 90 tablets of brand name Synthroid 137-mcg. Find out the difference between an underactive thyroid vs overactive thyroid.

Please continue reading to learn more about the cost of levothyroxine without insurance. We will also include some other information that can help patients save money on levothyroxine and other medications. 

Is thyroid medicine expensive?

The cost of thyroid medicine can range from as little as $12 per month to over $270 per month, depending on various factors, such as whether you’re taking generic drugs or brand name versions, the dose, and other factors. 

What factors affect the price of levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement)?

If you don’t have insurance coverage for prescription drugs, the price you pay for levothyroxine will depend on various factors, such as:

• Dose (levothyroxine is available in various doses ranging from 25 mcg to 300 mcg)

• Dosage form (oral tablet, capsule, liquid suspension)

• Number of pills (the per pill costs may be lower when you get a 90-day supply versus a 30-day supply)

• Generic drug versus brand name medication (brand names are more expensive than the generic version - see below for reasons)

• Your location

• The pharmacy you use

• Price fluctuations due to supply chain issues

How much is a private prescription for levothyroxine?

Here are some estimated retail prices for levothyroxine at major pharmacy chains:

Generic levothyroxine

• 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $11.99 to $14.35

• 25 mcg, 90 tablets: $26.89 to $31.97

• 88 mcg, 30 tablets: $11.99 to $16.99

• 88 mcg, 90 tablets: $35.19 to $38.89

• 200 mcg, 30 tablets: $16.99

• 200 mcg, 180 tablets: $77.79

Brand name medication

• Euthyrox 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $22.99

• Levo-T 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $34.43 to $35.59

• Levoxyl 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $44.49

• Synthroid 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $65.91 to $78.80

• Unithroid 25 mcg, 30 tablets: $140.92 to $144.20

• Tirosint 25 mcg, 30 capsules: $165.99 to $172.99

• Ermeza oral solution 150 mcg/5 mL: $148.53 to $149.35

How much does a 90-day supply of Synthroid cost?

The cost of a 90-day supply of Synthroid depends on the dose, dosage form, and other factors, such as your location and the pharmacy chain you use. Estimated retail prices for the Synthroid brand range between $190 and $270 for 90 tablets.

You can save on the costs of brand name Synthroid by obtaining your medication through the Synthroid Delivers Program website. Your pharmacist can give you more information, but you will pay $75 for a 90-day supply, $54 for a 60-day supply, and $29.50 for a 30-day supply of your Synthroid prescription. 

The program allows you to pay a fixed cash price without the hassles of insurance coverage or prior authorization. You also avoid price fluctuations or the pressure to substitute other brand names or generic versions for Synthroid. The Synthroid Delivers Program also offers a free 2-day home delivery for the first prescription and other services such as refill reminders, access to their pharmacy team, and education about your thyroid disorder.

Why is there a price difference between a Synthroid prescription and the generic drug?

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new medication, it takes many years of research and clinical trials to ensure its safety and efficacy. To recover some of the costs of research and development, testing, marketing, and other expenses, the company applies for a patent. This patent gives them the rights to sell the medicine exclusively at a price set by them. That is why brand name forms of drugs such as Synthroid are more expensive than generics such as levothyroxine.

Why is levothyroxine so cheap? 

Once the patent on a brand name drug developed by a pharmaceutical company expires, others can manufacture and market the generic medicine (for example, levothyroxine) without repeating the research and testing conducted by the manufacturer of Synthroid brand. This is why levothyroxine and generics of other drugs are much cheaper than the brand name versions. A generic contains the same active ingredient and is equally effective and safe, but is usually considerably cheaper than the brand name medication.

Check out “Understanding levothyroxine side effects.”

How to save money on levothyroxine?

If you are having trouble paying for your thyroid medicines, there are several ways to make them more affordable:

• Check your insurance coverage to see if prescription drugs are covered.

• Talk to your doctor about taking generic levothyroxine instead of brand name medication.

• Compare prices at different pharmacies.

• Visit BuzzRx.com and get free levothyroxine coupons (a free coupon can help you save up to 80% on your prescriptions).

• Request free samples from your healthcare professional.

• Check if you qualify for enrollment in the Synthroid Delivers Program.

Learn more about thyroid medication at our blog, “What are the signs my thyroid medication is not working?”

What is levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone T4. Thyroid hormones play a role in many important functions in the body. If you have a condition called hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Check out these 8 signs you may have a thyroid condition. 

If your healthcare provider determines that you do have an underactive thyroid, you may be prescribed levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. This medicine is also used to treat thyroid cancer, along with surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. Learn more about hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism.