Doctor not prescribing Elroxin

[jaynebe]

I eventually managed to get prescribed Eltroxin after getting an assortment of brands every time I collected them from pharmacist. I've been told Eltroxin is being discontinued. Any idea what other named brand I should ask for? I used to take synthroid while living in USA but not available in UK. Any help appreciated.

[RedApple Administrator]

As far as we are aware, Eltroxin is not actually discontinued, but is in short supply at the moment. See the news item here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/news.h...

.

[marram]

This is information from Mercury Pharma to doctors:

amcolimited.com/media/309/H...

Hopefully this can help you. According to this the 'Branded' Eltroxin will be unavailable for the foreseeable future, but this is their assurance that the replacement is identical.

[liz1952 in reply to marram]

A pharmacist told me yesterday that he has been advised that Eltroxin won't be available until August. Now I'm not sure if that is an area to area concern (does that make sense?)

[veronicahoward in reply to marram]

sorry - the replacement is quite categorically not identical.

[helvella Administrator]

Asking for a specific name on the packet is possibly less useful than you are thinking.

If you have "Eltroxin" written on your prescription, the pharmacist could not give you the identical Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine product.

25 mcg

Amdipharm Mercury (packaged as Teva, Mercury Pharma and Eltroxin)

Wockhardt

50 and 100 mcg

Amdipharm Mercury (packaged as Mercury Pharma and Eltroxin)

Actavis (packaged as Acatavis, Almus and Lloyds)

(I might have missed some packaging variants.)

A co-operative (and knowledgeable) pharmacist is very likely your best approach to consistent supply. Far simpler than getting a doctor to write it in as it gives you the flexibility to accept changes, if needed.

Of course, there is nothing to stop you purchasing Synthroid abroad and having it posted to you - except cost, time, and, maybe, getting a suitable form of prescription.

Rod

[foxglove in reply to helvella]

Hi Rod,

Is Wockhardt 25mcg levo the same as Eltroxin 25mcg - different no.s on tablets

Wockhardt - TX25......Eltroxin - FW41

Thank you.

[helvella Administrator in reply to foxglove]

Hi foxglove,

Whilst all levothyroxine products are supposedly equivalent, the Wockhardt product has different excipients (non-active pharmaceutical ingredients) to the Amdipharm Mercury stable (Eltroxin, Mercury, Teva 25 only).

See here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Rod

[jaynebe]

Thank you for the replies. The pharmacist's in my area have told me the only way is to ask the doctor and the doctor says ask the pharamacist. I take 125. Might see if I can get abroad.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to jaynebe]

Be aware that the brand name 'Eltroxin' is used by more than one pharma company. Anything called Eltroxin obtainable abroad is likely to be made by a different manufacturer and have different excipients to the UK Eltroxin brand. If you've been taking UK Eltroxin, you'd do better to go with the generic MercuryPharma product.

[helen0701]

I work in a pharmacy and while eltroxin is unavailable we automatically give one of the alternative brands stated above, you shouldnt need to see your dr as it is normal practice to have an agreement with local gps to do this. If it is eltroxin youare insisting on having then you will be pushed between gp and pharmasist as it is not available. As Rod stated the above brands are identical.

[helvella Administrator in reply to helen0701]

I actually thought that The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 would have covered switching between Eltroxin and Mercury levothyroxine - if the pharmacist understands that they are identical - without the need for an agreement with the prescribers? (Such agreements may well be the best approach! Avoids any doubt.)

Rod

[jaynebe in reply to helvella]

Thank you Rod. When I asked why it wasn't Eltroxin, the pharmacy told me it was because the doctor didn't prescribe it even though it was asked for and the receptionist at the doctors just told me everyone one on Eltroxin weren't getting it anymore. Might try Lloyds pharmacy next time in hope they will dispense me the same brand each time instead of it being a lucky dip with which one I will be given.

[helvella Administrator in reply to jaynebe]

I think a Lloyds pharmacy is most likely to dispense their own-labelled levothyroxine - which is Actavis.

(Not to say that won't also be willing and able to provide Mercury. I don't use them so have no personal knowledge.)

Rod

[puncturedbicycle in reply to jaynebe]

I go to a Lloyds and the lovely pharmacist keeps MP for me, so it can be done if the pharmacist is willing.

[veronicahoward in reply to helen0701]

No they are not. I know because I have been nearly 40 years on Eltroxin with superb health and several times over the years my GP has tried to shunt me onto the generic brand and because of this recent crisis he has now managed to do this with the results that for the first time I am getting adverse effects. But I eill set up a legal challenge to this

[helen0701 in reply to veronicahoward]

This conversation was nine months ago

[ianessex]

Hi,,i take mercury pharma now after being told about eltroxin,,, i was very concerned about any differences but I've been on them for a week and I've been fine,, and I'm very sensitive to any change in any meds ,,

[jaynebe in reply to ianessex]

Thank you. It's nice to get other opinions and not to feel like you're on your own.

[Hidden in reply to jaynebe]

Marfit

My medication comes from a Lloyds Pharmacy .....was Eltroxin now replaced by Mercury Pharma.....my GP has to put it on my repeat prescription though or else they will give me Activis levothyroxine.

[jaynebe in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Marfit