Best thyroxine

[JenVanderhoven]

Can anyone recommend the best manufacturer of levothyroxine? Is Mercury Pharma the one most people get along with?

[Clutter]

JenVanderhoven, I prefer Actavis (50 & 100mcg) to Mercury Pharma (25, 50& 100mcg). Wockhardt only do 25mcg. I had more palpitations on MP. Other people have said they find Actavis less potent than MP. You need to try for yourself to see which make best suits you and then tell your pharmacist you will only accept that make.

[Treepie in reply to Clutter]

Been on MP for a year but at last new prescription a different pharmacy gave me Actavis.Been on it just a week and so far not noticed any difference.

[Clutter in reply to Treepie]

Treepie, keep an eye on symptoms from day 7-8 onwards. If you notice adverse changes tell pharmacist you will only accept Mercury Pharma. Patients do not have to accept the make of Levothyroxine dispensed if it doesn't suit them. If necessary ask for the prescription back and take it to another pharmacy. No problem if you are equally comfortable on either make.

[Treepie in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter, I went back to the pharmacy in Sainsburys and they only had Actavis and apparently never had any MP. How long do they keep prescriptions ? Have you had experience of getting one back?

They said they would try to get MP if I had problems but I think the best course would be to go to GP for a new prescription. They said that would be best.

[Clutter in reply to Treepie]

Treepie, you can't usually exchange prescriptions once you've left the pharmacy. I meant when you take a new prescription in if the pharmacy doesn't have the make you prefer either let them order it in for you, usually takes a day, or ask for the prescription back and take it elsewhere.

Certainly go back to your GP for a new prescription if Actavis doesn't suit. It's not a good idea to ask for Mercury Pharma or another make to be specified on the prescription unless you positively can't tolerate an alternative. Pharmacies can only dispense what is written on the prescription. If it says MP and there is a shortage you would have to ask your GP for a new prescription to get Actavis or what ever alternative is available.

[Treepie in reply to Clutter]

Thanks again.

[Jmsho]

Mercury Pharma does not agree with me, no energy when taking them, I stick to Wockhart brand and my GP specifies them on my prescription.

[Thalia56]

I'd been on Actavis for several months with no ill-effects when my GP upped my dose from 50 to 75mcg. The 25mcg tablets I was given were Mercury Pharma, and about a week to ten days after taking one of those along with 50mcg Actavis I started to have bad joint pain.

Following Clutter's advice, I stopped the MP and started splitting my Actavis pills. The pain went within a few days, so it was definitely the brand and not the dose which caused that particular problem.

[crimple]

Couldn't agree with you more about MP. I steer weel clear after probs I had

[nightingale-56 in reply to crimple]

My son and I are still having problems with skin even though we have now tried Wockhardt and Actavis. My son is not too bad on Actavis, but I have self-funded Aliud. and adding in T3for the past two weeks. So far, so good.

[Kingsway3]

I live in the U.S. We are told never take thyroid generic versions. Only brand name. Which is synthroid

Good luck

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Kingsway3]

Many USA people who have had the experience are actually perfectly happy on Unithroid which is also sold as Lannett.

It couldn't be the makers of Synthroid who are so keen to say theirs is the only one to take, could it?

[Hidden]

I take Mercury pharma and don't seem to have any problems.

Actavis I absorb too quickly and it gives me a rush after I've taken which I don't like.

Workhardt gives me the same momentary rush .

I just stick with MP because it suits.

[ianessex in reply to Hidden]

Hi,, I'm noticing the rush too,, it's like it breaks down to quickly. How are you getting on now, still on mercury pharma ?

[Hidden in reply to ianessex]

Yep still on mercury Pharma and sticking with it. I think it absorbs slower for me and prevents that rush feeling. So far so good. Xx

[ianessex in reply to Hidden]

I was on mercury for some time but stopped it cos it was giving me bad stomach pains. Think the acacia didn't agree with me.

[Pepekins]

My new packet have Almus written on them. Boots had no Activis, which I usually have, not sure if I like this brand.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Pepekins]

Pepekins,

Almus IS Actavis. Same product but put into different packaging for Boots.

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

[crimple]

Just seen in paper that TEVA has taken over Actavis!! Hope this isn't bad news for thyroidies. TEVA licence for thyroxine was withdrwan in 2012 and i had no end of problems after taking 100mcg levo that wasn't actually delivering 100!!!