Problems obtaining hydroxychloroquine other that brand Bristol Pharmaceuticals

[KeepingUpBeat]

Hi Everyone, are people being given the Bristol Pharmaceutical brand hydroxychloroquine when they put in their prescriptions. I've just collected my bag of goodies to find this brand among my medication despite explaining my physical intolerance to it. When I protested I was told Teva the brand prescribed by the hospital no longer supply the UK and that they can only get the Bristol brand. I randomly telephoned a pharmacy out of the area to be told the same thing. Also this pharmacy told me when ordering they do not stipulate brands and take what is supplied?

My local pharmacy have taken my number and will make enquiries to find out the availability of another brand. I have one pill sleeve left which should take me into next week. After that I will be coming off the medication which really I can ill afford to do because I am experiencing symptoms of another flare . My next rheumatology appointment is not until the first week in June. I can't get a GP appointment until next Thursday so I'm left with no other choice than another trip to A&E if things get very bad.

I've emailed Teva waiting for a response.

[angelina65]

Hi, I am having the same problem. Truth of the matter is that pharmacies are buying cheaper drugs and I don’t think there is anything we can do about it as unless the drug is for epilepsy they are not obliged to dispense branded drugs.

Interestingly, hydroxychloroquine made by Zentiva which is the only brand I can tolerate is readily available in other EU countries and only costs €6

per box.

[Lupiknits in reply to angelina65]

There are beginning to be problems with the supply of drugs for epilepsy. I’ve no idea why. I don’t have epilepsy but one medication I take in the mix for my bi polar disorder is an anti epileptic. Last week the hospital pharmacy only had the smaller dose size. It was easy to double that up, but it’s a medication you can’t stop and start with because it has a rare life threatening side effect.

[KeepingUpBeat in reply to angelina65]

Hi angelina65 I've collected my hydroxychloroquine the Black Rock brand so I'm okay for the next two months.

[Hidden]

Hi I had a lot of problems with Quinoric version after reading this advice I swapped and got my life back:

lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

It is possible to order Black Rock version and I shared this with my local Boots pharmacy and they have been sourcing it for me for last six months. I have also shared this with my rheumatologist as I believe it contributes to some terrible symptoms fir many people.

[Lupiknits in reply to Hidden]

I’m OK with the Black Rock version and my pharmacist does his best, No problems so far.

[Cottar in reply to Hidden]

I’ve also had problems with the Bristol brand whereas the Blackrock version gives me no problems at all. I’ve had to take the Bristol tablets back twice now and get new prescriptions for Blackrock. My pharmacist seems to think that it is because I ‘like’ these better but she has put it in my notes so I’m hoping that I won’t have problems in the future.

[KeepingUpBeat in reply to Cottar]

Thanks for your reply Cottar I will suggest Blackrock when I ring the pharmacist later. It really has nothing to do with preference Bristol brand is a health issue for me. I wish people would listen to us, it's so frustrating with everything else we have to deal with on a daily basis.

[Cottar in reply to KeepingUpBeat]

It’s a health issue for me too but my pharmacist obviously chose not to hear what I was saying. I really sympathise, giving you the Bristol brand means that you can’t take your meds. I just wish the pharmacists would take this on board. Good luck with finding a brand that doesn’t cause you harm.

[KeepingUpBeat in reply to Hidden]

Hi awrigo I collected by medication from the pharmacy this evening and I have the Black Rock brand hydroxychloroquine. It's on my file I cannot take Bristol brand, you know you there is no supply of Teva so surely you make contact with me or the GP surgery before supplying me with the brand I cannot take. It really doesn't make any sense but at least I have two months supply so we'll see what happens in June. Perhaps I will warn the pharmacy I'm putting a prescription in so they can make sure they have the brand I need to take or can get it before they collecting my prescription from the surgery.

[Hidden in reply to KeepingUpBeat]

I hope it suits you. I noticed an improvement within days. Let me know how it goes. I worried for months they would not give me the right version and always check before I leave the pharmacy! Best wishes ❤️

[Ssmart]

I’m mainly in the RA board but I’ve just collected my hydroxy and I’ve been given this brand too I usually have black rock what side effects/reasons do you all prefer your usual brand? Concerned -been doing well....

Thanks in advance!