Change of brand.

[jillyb]

I have had hypothyroidism for 12 years now and have always taken Levothyroxine made by Almus. I currently take 150mg. I have felt this suits me well although although I have been having a difficult perimenopause alongside for about the same time. Recently I needed to pick up a prescription whilst I was in France and I was given Levothyroxine made by Merck Sante. After six weeks of taking this I am noticing symptoms of tiredness and brain fog that I haven't had since the early days of my diagnosis. I will return to using Almus but am alarmed at how different I feel and am concerned I have made myself unwell. Does anybody have any experience of this?

[shaws Administrator]

I think once you go back to Almus you will be o.k. again. That's why we recommend that members always get the same make of levo from the chemist as there are a few different ones. If clinical symptoms either don't improve or some appear a while after being on a particular levo, it is recommended you try another. Unfortunately there is no brand levothyroxine in the UK any more. There used to be one Eltroxin and there have been lots of complaints by patients who were taking it for years and given a generic which made them ill again i.e. the manufacturer said the generic was 'identical' to Eltroxin and I am one who will positively say it was not the same as the Brand.

Producers use different fillers/binders in the products and sometimes we can have a sensitivity to them. Thyroxine and Liothyronine (active hormone) don't change but the fillers/binders can.

[annette12]

Hi jillb. Yes i have to stick with mercury pharma. My pharmacist orders it for me. I get very sick if i change brands.

[Aurealis]

I agree with Shaws, but also I have sometimes found that I need a dose adjustment following a change of brand. It's best to stay with the same brand though.

[jillyb]

Thank you for your responses. I will stick to the brand that works for me from now on. Have to say that it was a surprise that I have started feeling out of sorts and worrying. Hopefully it will right itself quickly with no ill effects.

[RedApple Administrator]

jillyb, please be aware that 'Almus' is only an external packaging name for the levothyroxine tablets that are inside the box. Almus is the 'brand name' used by Boots. Boots do not manufacture the levothyroxine themselves.

If you check the details in small print on the PIL inside the Almus box, you will likely see that the tablets are actually made by Actavis. The name Actavis is most probably on the foil backing of the blister pack too.

One reason why this is useful to know, is because if for some reason you are unable to get your prescription fulfilled by Boots, you can go to another pharmacy (e.g. high street independent or supermarket) and ask if they can supply the Actavis tablets

Details of current makes of UK levothyroxine, along with their ingredients can always be found on the main TUK website here:

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

[crimple]

jillyb I have twice had issues with different brands of levo. The first time was with TEVA which had its licence withdrawn because the 100mcg tablets were not delivering 100mcgs, it was a lot less, so I was undermedicated. The second problem was when my doc reduced my dose from 100mcg Almus/actavis to 75 mcg which meant taking 50mcg almus/actavis and 25mcg Mercury Pharma. The MP definitely did not agree with me. Obviously something in the fillers, I suspect it was acacia powder! I was OK when back on 100mcg Almus and I am firmly convinced it wasn't about the dosage but the fillers as I reacted in the way that I do when I have eaten something I shouldn't (I am gluten and lacto free and suffer from other food intolerances) Hope you get back to normal on Almus/actavis

[jillyb]

Thanks again, I will make a note of the company name and be vigilant that I get that brand from now on. I am annoyed that I was complacent, I hadn't realised it would make so much difference, I have a busy life and now I feel slowed down to snail pace - my usual medication has allowed me to fee well for so long I had forgotten what brought me here in the first place.