Comprehensive medication guide to Unithroid including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$12.50–$42.50 typical co-pay for brand-name Unithroid; covered by 89% of insurance plans. Generic levothyroxine is typically Tier 1 on most plans. Commercially insured patients may qualify for the Amneal copay card (as little as $3/month). Medicare patients should request generic levothyroxine at Tier 1.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$25–$85 retail per 30-day supply for brand-name Unithroid depending on dose and pharmacy; generic levothyroxine (same active ingredient) costs $4–$20/month. With GoodRx or SingleCare coupons, generic levothyroxine is available for as low as $9.90 per 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Unithroid is a brand-name prescription thyroid hormone medication containing levothyroxine sodium — a synthetic form of T4, the principal hormone produced by the human thyroid gland. It was the first levothyroxine product to receive FDA New Drug Application (NDA) approval in August 2000, making it the reference standard for all other levothyroxine brands and generics.
Unithroid is manufactured by Jerome Stevens Pharmaceuticals (JSP), a family-owned US-based pharmaceutical manufacturer in Bohemia, New York, and distributed nationally by Amneal Pharmaceuticals. It is available in 12 tablet strengths from 25 mcg to 300 mcg, each color-coded for easy identification.
Levothyroxine is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, with over 120 million prescriptions dispensed annually. Unithroid is used to treat hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, post-thyroidectomy hormone deficiency, congenital hypothyroidism in pediatric patients, and as an adjunct therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer.
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Unithroid (levothyroxine) is a synthetic T4 hormone that replaces the thyroid hormone your body cannot make in adequate amounts. After oral absorption, levothyroxine enters the bloodstream and is partially converted to T3 (triiodothyronine) — the biologically active form — by enzymes called deiodinases in the liver, kidneys, and other peripheral tissues.
T3 enters cells and binds to thyroid hormone receptors in the nucleus. This receptor-hormone complex attaches to specific DNA sequences (thyroid response elements), controlling the transcription of hundreds of genes that regulate metabolism, energy production, growth, cardiac function, bone metabolism, cognitive function, and body temperature regulation.
The pituitary gland monitors circulating thyroid hormone levels and releases TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) to regulate production. When Unithroid restores adequate T4 and T3 levels, TSH falls back to the normal range — confirming that treatment is effective. TSH is the primary blood test used to monitor and adjust Unithroid therapy.
25 mcg — tablet
Starting dose for elderly patients and those with cardiovascular disease
50 mcg — tablet
Common starting dose for mild hypothyroidism
75 mcg — tablet
88 mcg — tablet
100 mcg — tablet
Common maintenance dose for average-weight adults
112 mcg — tablet
125 mcg — tablet
Typical replacement dose for 70-80 kg adults
137 mcg — tablet
Frequently out of stock at chain pharmacies
150 mcg — tablet
175 mcg — tablet
Intermittently unavailable at chain pharmacies
200 mcg — tablet
Higher dose, may require special order
300 mcg — tablet
Highest available dose (Unithroid Direct); scored; most likely to require special order
Unithroid is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026. However, patients regularly report localized availability issues — particularly for higher dose strengths (137, 175, 200, and 300 mcg) at large chain pharmacies. Medfinder's pharmacy availability data shows overall levothyroxine availability at approximately 92% as of May 2026, meaning most patients can find it, but roughly 1 in 12 pharmacy checks comes up empty for specific strengths.
Several factors contribute to ongoing availability gaps: Unithroid's narrow therapeutic index requires strict manufacturing quality control; 12 separate tablet strengths each require separate production runs; brand-switching restrictions mean patients can't easily swap brands without prescriber involvement; and large chain pharmacies prioritize high-volume strengths. Common strengths (25-125 mcg) are broadly available at most pharmacies.
If you're having trouble locating your Unithroid dose, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones currently have your specific strength in stock. Independent pharmacies often stock harder-to-find doses more reliably than chain pharmacies.
Unithroid is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write a prescription. There are no DEA scheduling requirements, REMS programs, or special certifications needed to prescribe levothyroxine. The following types of providers routinely prescribe Unithroid:
Endocrinologists — specialists in thyroid and hormonal disorders; preferred for complex cases and thyroid cancer
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — family medicine and internal medicine doctors manage the majority of hypothyroidism cases
OB/GYNs — frequently manage thyroid conditions during pregnancy
Pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists — for congenital hypothyroidism and pediatric thyroid conditions
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — can prescribe independently or under physician supervision in most states
Telehealth providers can also prescribe Unithroid in all 50 states. Because levothyroxine is not a controlled substance, there are no restrictions on telehealth prescribing. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, and Sesame can manage routine hypothyroidism remotely, including initial diagnosis (with labs), dose adjustments, and prescription transfers.
No. Unithroid (levothyroxine sodium) is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA scheduling (Schedule I through V). This means any licensed prescriber can write a Unithroid prescription, it can be refilled multiple times on a single prescription, it can be called in or faxed to a pharmacy by phone or electronically, and there are no special monitoring or documentation requirements related to its scheduling status.
Unithroid is a prescription-only medication that requires a valid prescription, but it is not subject to the additional restrictions that apply to controlled substances (such as limits on quantity, e-prescribing mandates, or state prescription monitoring programs). Telehealth providers can prescribe Unithroid in all 50 states without DEA restrictions.
Most Unithroid side effects are symptoms of overtreatment (too much thyroid hormone) rather than the drug itself. Common side effects include:
Temporary hair loss (first 3-6 months of treatment)
Headache, insomnia, nervousness, irritability
Heart palpitations and increased heart rate
Sweating, heat intolerance, and hot flashes
Weight loss, increased appetite, diarrhea
Menstrual cycle changes
Chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) — call your doctor immediately
Sudden bone or joint pain — may indicate bone density loss from long-term overtreatment
Allergic reaction: hives, swelling, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
Overdose symptoms: severe tremor, extreme agitation, chest pain, stroke — call 911
Boxed Warning: Unithroid should not be used for weight loss or obesity treatment. Larger than prescribed doses may cause life-threatening toxicity.
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Generic levothyroxine
FDA-approved therapeutically equivalent at 1:1 conversion; $4-$20/month; most cost-effective option; widely available
Synthroid
Most widely prescribed brand-name levothyroxine (AbbVie); 1:1 conversion; broadly available; Synthroid Delivers direct mail at $75/90-day supply
Tirosint
Gel capsule with only 4 ingredients; superior absorption for patients with GI conditions, PPI use, or lactose intolerance; 1:1 conversion; $150-$250/month cash
Euthyrox
Brand-name levothyroxine (NorthStar Rx); 1:1 conversion; growing availability; good option when Unithroid is unavailable
Levoxyl
Brand-name levothyroxine (Pfizer); 1:1 conversion; inconsistently stocked at chains; swells in mouth — take with full glass of water
Prefer Unithroid? We can find it.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
majorLevothyroxine potentiates anticoagulant effect; INR must be monitored closely during any Unithroid dose change
Calcium supplements / antacids
moderateReduce levothyroxine absorption by up to 40%; separate by at least 4 hours
Iron supplements
moderateChelates with levothyroxine in the gut, reducing absorption; separate by at least 4 hours
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
moderateReduce stomach acid needed for levothyroxine absorption; implicated in ~70% of significant levothyroxine drug interactions
Cholestyramine / colesevelam
moderateBind levothyroxine in the gut; separate by at least 4 hours
Carbamazepine / phenytoin / rifampin
moderateIncrease hepatic metabolism of levothyroxine; may require dose increase of 20-40%
Insulin / oral antidiabetics
moderateLevothyroxine increases metabolic rate; may worsen glycemic control and increase insulin requirements
Estrogens / oral contraceptives
minorIncrease thyroid-binding globulin; may increase levothyroxine requirements
Unithroid remains a trusted, US-manufactured brand-name levothyroxine product with a strong history of quality and the distinction of being the first FDA NDA-approved levothyroxine. For many patients — particularly those who have been stable on Unithroid for years — brand consistency matters, given the narrow therapeutic index of thyroid hormone medications.
Availability is generally good in 2026, though localized shortages of specific strengths persist at chain pharmacies. Cost assistance through the Amneal copay card makes brand-name Unithroid accessible for most commercially insured patients at as little as $3 per month. For uninsured patients, generic levothyroxine offers the same active ingredient at a fraction of the cost.
If you're having trouble filling your Unithroid prescription, medfinder can help you locate pharmacies near you that have your specific dose in stock — saving you hours of phone calls and ensuring you don't miss a critical daily dose.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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