Adthyza has been discontinued. Explore the best alternatives including Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Levothyroxine, and compounded NDT options.
If your pharmacy just told you Adthyza is no longer available, you're probably feeling a mix of frustration and anxiety. Losing access to a thyroid medication that worked for you is genuinely stressful — especially when hypothyroidism symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog are the alternative.
The good news: there are several alternatives to Adthyza that can help you manage your thyroid condition effectively. In this article, we'll walk through each one so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.
Adthyza was a brand-name natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) medication manufactured by Azurity Pharmaceuticals. It was made from porcine (pig) thyroid glands and contained both Levothyroxine (T4) and Liothyronine (T3) — the two hormones your thyroid gland naturally produces.
Adthyza was prescribed primarily for hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. Without treatment, hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, depression, dry skin, and a host of other symptoms.
What set Adthyza apart from synthetic thyroid medications like Levothyroxine (Synthroid) was that it provided both T4 and T3. Synthetic Levothyroxine only provides T4, relying on your body to convert it to the more active T3. Some patients feel better on NDT because they get T3 directly.
For a deeper dive into how the drug works, see our article: How Does Adthyza Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.
Azurity Pharmaceuticals discontinued Adthyza in late November 2025. The drug had been on the market for less than three years (first marketed February 2023). Additionally, the FDA announced in August 2025 that it plans to remove all Desiccated Thyroid Extract products from the market, creating uncertainty for the entire NDT category.
For the full story, read: Why Is Adthyza So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026].
Armour Thyroid is the most well-known natural desiccated thyroid medication and the closest equivalent to Adthyza. Like Adthyza, it's made from porcine thyroid glands and contains both T4 and T3.
Key facts about Armour Thyroid:
Things to know: Armour Thyroid uses slightly different inactive ingredients than Adthyza, and its dosage strengths are measured differently (15 mg per 1/4 grain vs. Adthyza's 16.25 mg per 1/4 grain). Your doctor will adjust your dose accordingly. Note that Armour Thyroid also faces potential FDA removal under the same DTE policy.
NP Thyroid is another NDT medication that provides both T4 and T3 from porcine thyroid glands.
Key facts about NP Thyroid:
Things to know: NP Thyroid has only three inactive ingredients (calcium stearate, dextrose, mineral oil), making it a good option for patients with sensitivities. However, it also faces the same FDA threat to DTE products. Check availability with Medfinder.
Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed thyroid medication in the world. It's a synthetic form of T4 only.
Key facts about Levothyroxine:
Things to know: The biggest difference is that Levothyroxine provides only T4. Your body must convert T4 to T3 on its own. Most patients do well on Levothyroxine, but some report that they don't feel as good as they did on NDT. If you switch from Adthyza to Levothyroxine, your doctor can also add synthetic T3 (Liothyronine/Cytomel) separately to more closely replicate the NDT effect.
If you can't find any commercial NDT product or if you have sensitivities to their inactive ingredients, a compounding pharmacy can create a custom thyroid medication tailored to your needs.
Key facts about Compounded NDT:
Things to know: Compounded medications are not FDA-approved (but neither are commercial NDT products). Quality can vary between compounding pharmacies, so choose one with a strong reputation. Your doctor will need to write a specific compounding prescription.
The best alternative depends on your individual needs. Here are some questions to discuss with your doctor:
Never switch thyroid medications without your doctor's guidance. Different thyroid drugs have different potencies, and the dose that worked for you on Adthyza won't be the exact same dose on Armour Thyroid or Levothyroxine. Your doctor will calculate the right starting dose and monitor your thyroid levels (TSH, Free T4, Free T3) to make sure you're properly treated.
Switching abruptly or incorrectly can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (too much), both of which can be serious. For more on side effects, read: Adthyza Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor.
Losing Adthyza is a real setback, but it doesn't mean you're out of options. Whether you switch to Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Levothyroxine, or compounded NDT, you can still get effective thyroid treatment. The key is working with a knowledgeable provider and staying proactive about your care.
Use Medfinder to find your new medication in stock near you, and check out our other resources:
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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