Hi can someone pls tell me the difference between levothyroxine and eltroxin? Which is safer to have for female?

[SexySaadz]

[RedApple Administrator]

There is no difference. Eltroxin is levothyroxine. Eltroxin is simply the brand name on the box, the tablets inside are levothyroxine.

Levothyroxine is a hormone replacement medication used in cases of thyroid hormoe deficiency. If your thyroid cannot produce the required amount of hormone, then you need to take hormone replacement and there is nothing 'unsafe' about taking it regardless of whether you are male or female.

Information about different makes of levothyroxine and other thyroid replacement medications can be found on the main website here:

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

[SexySaadz in reply to RedApple]

Thanks for that.. It's just I read a lot of negative reviews when discussing Eltroxin- maybe because it has a different filler. An American website that sells this also states not to take if pregnant or trying to conceive which put further doubt in my mind.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SexySaadz]

Unfortunately the name 'eltroxin' is used in different countries, but the tablets are actually not all the same because they're made by different manufacturers. So, what you see on an American website or any non-UK website may not be relevant to the UK medication called Eltroxin.

You can read the PILs (patient information leaflets) for the UK Eltroxin on the EMC website here:

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

.

[SexySaadz in reply to RedApple]

Thank you!!

[liz1952]

If they are exactly the same why is is that when I had to change back to Levothyroxine from Eltroxin (due to cost cutting on behalf of GP) I felt so bad? I have returned to Eltroxin and feel a vast improvement. Does anyone else feel the same?

Liz

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[RedApple Administrator in reply to liz1952]

The vital ingredient is the same, regardless of the name on the box - they all contain levothyroxine which is the replacement hormone itself. Look at the PIL in your box of Eltroxin and you will see it states 'levothyroxine' as the active ingredient, just the same as the others do.

However, the other ingredients (excipients) that are required to make the actual tablets do vary according to manufacturer. It can be the variance in these other ingredients that make the difference for some people.

Just like buying a tin of baked beans. The core ingredient is baked beans, regardless of the name on the tin. But one shopper prefers to buy Heinz, another prefers Crosse&Blackwell, another prefers Tesco own brand.

[liz1952]

some text missing marfit

[Hidden in reply to liz1952]

So sorry Liz....iPad problem

Not sure what text you have received however,....yes I have always favoured Eltroxin( now Mecury Pharma) ....one different ingredient is Acacia powder,though not sure what difference that would make,but it is not in Actavis Levo.I have been concentrating on a rise in my dosage which has now gradually increased to 100mcgs from 50 and am feeling so much better and hoping my TSH will fall below 1.0 at my next blood test in about 5wks time.So the rise in dosage was the right way forward for me and maybe the brand may not matter,we shall see.

The other thing I must concentrate on too .....staying off refined carbs,cakes,biscuits and pastry......when I do my muscular aches improve.....just need a bit more Willpower!!!

I wish you well

Margaret...(marfit)X

[liz1952 in reply to Hidden]

I'll look in to the acacia powder thing, see if I can make some sense of it. I'm on 100 mcg now and 20 of T3. Think the combination of the 2 , Eltroxin and T3 is what's worked for me. Re the carbs....'treated' myself to a pain au chocolat today...never again. Bloat, bloat,bloat.....aaah well, serves me right. Thank you so much for responding, so appreciated.

Liz x

[Wilim in reply to liz1952]

Why did they get rid of eltroxin in U.K?.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Wilim]

I suspect that it is to do with how they (that is, MercuryPharma or their owners, Concordia) can charge.

Branded medicines are subject to price controls.

Generic medicines are not.

With Liothyronine, it used to be sold as Tertroxin and hence subject to some degree of price control - with a cost to the NHS of around £12 for 28 tablets. They changed it to generic liothyronine (but exactly the same product) and now charge over £250 for the exact same 28 tablets. Very much a good enough reason in the eyes of Concordia. They get away with this because theoretically there is competition (although none actually exists).

My suspicion is that MercuryPharma (Concordia) are in a position to ramp up the cost of levothyroxine at any time. Although there is competition, perhaps Actavis and/or Wockhardt would also raise their prices? Even if they do not do so, it is a threat they can use at any time. The number of people on levothyroxine is so vast that even a modest increase (say, to £10 a packet of 28 tablets) would make a huge difference to the NHS and the company.

[Mikala in reply to helvella]

You can buy levothyroxine (eltroxin) here without a previous prescription (the online consultation is easy) reliablepharm.com

[liz1952]

Thank you, you've clarified what I thought - but in a much clearer and intelligent way!! Much appreciated

Liz

x