thyroid (desiccated)
Brand names: Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid
Armour Thyroid is a natural thyroid hormone medicine. It helps your body when it doesn't make enough thyroid hormone on its own.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$1.88/unit
Generic Price
$1.15/unit
Generic Savings
39%
Generic Available
Yes (0 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
Thyroid hormones should not be used for weight loss.
How It Works
Armour Thyroid provides thyroid hormones that your body needs to function properly. It contains both T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine). These hormones help regulate your metabolism, energy levels, and overall growth and development.
How to Take It
Take Armour Thyroid by mouth. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. The starting dose is usually low, such as 30 mg, and may be increased every 2 to 3 weeks by 15 mg until the right level is reached. If you are taking biotin, stop at least 2 days before thyroid testing.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Armour Thyroid can be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor, as your dosage needs may change during pregnancy.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Armour Thyroid at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Serious Warnings
Thyroid hormones should not be used for weight loss. Using high doses of thyroid hormone, especially with other stimulants, can cause serious and life-threatening problems.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking Armour Thyroid?
Can Armour Thyroid be used for weight loss?
How long does it take for Armour Thyroid to work?
What if I experience chest pain while taking this medicine?
Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid while taking Armour Thyroid?
Can I stop taking Armour Thyroid on my own?
Does Armour Thyroid have a strong smell?
What are the inactive ingredients in Armour Thyroid?
What should I do if I think I have taken too much Armour Thyroid?
Can biotin supplements affect my thyroid test results?
What drug class is thyroid (desiccated)?
Is there a generic version of thyroid (desiccated)?
Is thyroid (desiccated) safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Thyroid Hormone (Natural)
Other drugs grouped near thyroid (desiccated) — same-class peers and common alternatives.
levothyroxine
Synthroid, Levoxyl
Levothyroxine is a medicine that replaces a hormone normally made by your thyroid gland.
Compare with thyroid (desiccated) →
liothyronine
Cytomel
Liothyronine (Cytomel) is a medicine that replaces a thyroid hormone called T3.
Compare with thyroid (desiccated) →
methimazole
Tapazole
Methimazole (Tapazole) is a medicine that lowers the amount of thyroid hormone your body makes.
Compare with thyroid (desiccated) →
propylthiouracil
PTU
Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a medicine that treats an overactive thyroid.
Compare with thyroid (desiccated) →
Compare thyroid (desiccated) vs levothyroxine side-by-side →
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What the FDA Data Shows for thyroid (desiccated)
The FDA label for thyroid (desiccated) (sold under brand names such as Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Thyroid Hormone (Natural) class. This medicine treats hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.15 versus $1.88 for the brand — a 39% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 9, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages