Synthroid vs Avodart: side-by-side comparison
Synthroid (Hormones and Birth Control) and Avodart (Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Synthroid | Avodart |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Levothyroxine | Dutasteride |
| Manufacturer | AbbVie | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Class | Hormones and Birth Control | Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss |
| Strengths | 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg, 100mcg, 150mcg | 0.5mg |
| Forms | tablet | capsule |
What's the same
Synthroid and Avodart are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Synthroid belongs to Hormones and Birth Control while Avodart belongs to Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Synthroid: Levothyroxine replaces deficient endogenous thyroxine, which is converted in tissues to the active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) by deiodinase enzymes. Avodart: Avodart inhibits both isoforms of 5α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
When Synthroid is preferred
Synthroid is approved for hypothyroidism of any cause (Hashimoto thyroiditis, post-thyroidectomy, post-radioiodine, congenital), goitre and TSH suppression after differentiated thyroid cancer.
When Avodart is preferred
Avodart is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, alone or in combination with the alpha-blocker tamsulosin.
Frequently asked questions
Is Synthroid or Avodart better? ▾
Synthroid and Avodart are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Synthroid to Avodart? ▾
Switching between Synthroid and Avodart is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Synthroid and Avodart have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Synthroid comparisons
The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.