Why does Armour Thyroid cost so much?

Armour Thyroid is a brand-name medication used to treat symptoms of hypothyroidism and other thyroid conditions. It contains natural desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) from pig thyroid glands (porcine thyroid) that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Armour Thyroid and other thyroid medications can vary in price based on where you purchase them and your insurance plan. There is no generic version of Armour Thyroid so it tends to be more expensive than other forms of thyroid hormone replacement. For example, #30 tablets of 60 mg Armour Thyroid is over $40 per month without insurance. In comparison, #30 tablets of the generic form of Synthroid, levothyroxine, is less than $15 a month.

The higher cost could be due to several factors. First, brand-name drugs such as Armour Thyroid are typically more expensive since there is little to no competition. Other factors that may affect the cost of this medication include:

  • The dosage and how long your treatment lasts
  • Whether there are any savings programs available for the med
  • The pharmacy you are purchasing it from
  • Whether you have an insurance plan that covers it or are paying the retail price

If Armour Thyroid is not covered or you cannot afford it, there are other natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) or DTE drugs that may be less expensive such as NP Thyroid, ERFA Thyroid, NatureThroid, Natural Thyroid, and WP Thyroid. There are also FDA-approved synthetic thyroid tablets such as levothyroxine. It is a generic drug that is also sold under brand names such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, and Tirosint. Cytomel (liothyronine) is another alternative that contains a synthetic thyroid hormone. Talk with a healthcare professional if you have questions or concerns about Armour Thyroid. They can give you medical advice about other treatment options that may be right for you.

Keep reading as we go into detail about Armour Thyroid and answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs).

What is Armour Thyroid?

Armour Thyroid is a name-brand prescription medication that combines a natural version of the triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) thyroid hormones made by your thyroid gland. It is used to increase thyroid hormone levels in hypothyroid patients, including those with Hashimoto’s disease. It is also used to decrease thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in people with thyroid goiters, nodules, or thyroid cancer.

Armour Thyroid should not be used for weight loss and has a Boxed Warning from the FDA concerning this. Doing so in patients who do not have an underactive thyroid can cause hyperthyroidism and lead to serious complications.

What are the side effects of Armour Thyroid?

  • Increased heart rate, pulse, or heart palpitations
  • Nervousness, anxiety
  • Chest pain
  • Tremors
  • Hair loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive sweating
  • Muscle weakness

Although rare, this medication may also cause some serious side effects, including allergic reactions, an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (heart) problems, severely low stress hormone levels, and worsening blood sugar levels.

This is not the entire list of possible side effects. Contact your healthcare professional for medical advice about any possible adverse effects you experience while taking Armour Thyroid. You can report your adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What drugs interact with Armour Thyroid?

When Armour Thyroid is taken with other drugs, it can change how they work or make some adverse effects more likely or severe. You should ask your healthcare provider if any of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, or supplements you take may interact with Armour Thyroid.

Certain meds such as cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, antacids that contain magnesium or calcium, sucralfate, and iron can reduce the amount of Armour Thyroid that is absorbed by your body. If you are taking any of these medications, separate them from Armour Thyroid by at least 4 hours.

Some other meds that can interact with this thyroid medication include blood thinners such as warfarin, digoxin, and estrogen-containing products such as birth control pills. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking before starting Armour Thyroid.

How can I save money on Armour Thyroid?

  • Looking into the cost of a 90-day supply. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Armour Thyroid through your insurance plan. This can lower how many times you have to go to your pharmacy and your average monthly copay may be less. Talk with your healthcare provider and your insurance plan to see if this is an option for you.
  • Using a mail-order pharmacy. Your insurance plan may allow you to get Armour Thyroid through a mail-order pharmacy. If not, a mail-order pharmacy service such as Universal Drugstore (UDS) can help you save money on your medications. In addition, you can have it delivered directly to your doorstep so you won’t even have to leave your house. Check out UDS for our lowest price available on Armour Thyroid and other thyroid drugs, including Synthroid (levothyroxine), Cytomel (liothyronine), and NP Thyroid (desiccated thyroid).
  • Finding a prescription drug discount card or coupon. You may save money by using a discount card or coupon to purchase Armour Thyroid. These cards and coupons can be used at participating pharmacies in your area. You can use a discount card or coupon to save money on the retail price of a medication, even if you have insurance.
  • Seeing if you qualify for patient assistance. The AbbVie Patient Access Support program is available for Armour Thyroid. For more information and to find out if you are eligible, call 800-222-6885 or visit their website.
  • Comparing pharmacy prices. The same Armour Thyroid prescription could be twice as expensive depending on which pharmacy you get it from. This could equal hundreds of dollars a year saved just by shopping around for the lowest price.

Is there a generic version of Armour Thyroid? Armour Thyroid is not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Is Armour Thyroid covered on Medicare Part D? In general, Medicare Part D drug plans do not cover this medication. Contact your specific plan to see if Armour Thyroid is covered and what your copay would be.

Sources

  • Armour Thyroid Package Insert. (2024). AbbVie, Inc. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.
  • Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.
  • Thyroid desiccated (Rx). Medscape. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.
  • Armour Thyroid Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. GoodRx. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.