Problem with Actavis?

[KLR22]

I wonder if anyone else has noticed a problem with Actavis Levothyroxine? I used to have Mercury Pharma but have recently been changed and don't feel as well.

Thanks.

Karen

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

There was a recent post where someone else wasn't doing well on Actavis

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I haven't noticed anything with mine.

[ianessex in reply to SeasideSusie]

That's me...thanks for thinking of me. Kind regards,,

[Pink_Bear]

This makes me so cross - there doesn't seem to be an acceptance that stability is an important part of being well. When my brand was changed a few years ago I got really sick for several months. Can you make an arrangement with your Pharmacist to always give you Mercury Pharma products? If they aren't willing, consider changing pharmacist to someone who will - generally I think they are happy to help with this sort of problem. Ask to have a note put on your record - it may take a few visits to get it working, and you might need to keep reminding them.

[ianessex]

Hi Karen,, I too was taking mercury pharma for couple years after eltroxin was stopped. I changed to actavis cos I just got fed up with terrible stomach issues which seemed to be very much aggravated by the mp brand. My chemist always found it hard to get mp but I found one that was willing to go the extra mile to do so.

If you want to stay on mp then your best bet is to get onto the chemist and make it clear that's the only one you want. If they're not willing to help then try other chemists. What I used to do was request my prescription from doc then contact chemist so they had time to order it in if necessary. All the best !

[LAHs]

Sadly brands differ. You spend months trying to get the exact dose of brand1 and you finally feel well then the patent runs out on that drug and you are back to square one. I was on Forrest's Levo and did fine for 5 years, they stopped making it and my hospital used Actavis as their generic. It resulted in me being sick for 2 and 1/2 years until I gave up on monotherepy with T4 only (i.e. Levo) and switched to NDT.

The problem is that the exact dose is SO important, to throw in a second variable (oh, let's change the brand!) makes it almost impossible to ever get those two things aligned again. At least with NDT (I take Armour) the T3 varies with the T4, i.e. change the T4 and your T3 automatically increases in a reasonable proportion.

I do not doubt for one minute that you feel awful changing from one brand to another, you have been set back to square one.

[Lindsayf]

Hi I was first put on Mercury Pharma and then they decided to change me to Actavis Levothyroxine! I was on that brand for 1 month and felt so tired and unwell. I rang my GP and told him to put me back on Mercury Pharma. He agreed and now only gives me Mercury Pharma. He recently increased my dose by 25mg and I now have to go to Boots to get the 25mg as he only offer Actavis in 25mg and he cant order MP in. However, I would rather drive and get the same brand then mix and become ill... I have no idea why I feel ill on Actavis Levothyroxine.. Hope that helps

[KLR22 in reply to Lindsayf]

No, I don't know either. It's strange isn't it. Interestingly, I can get 25mcg MP but not the 100mcg and 50mcg.

Thanks.

[Jefner]

very interested in this post because I am still trying to work out the reason for my problems. Unfortunately I can't remember what brand I have been given over the years but for the last 10yrs I seemed OK on what I was taking until the autumn when things went tits up. So of course I am researching like everyone else and asking questions looking for answers. My current problem is that I seem to be overmedicating, the anxiety/panic is beyond anything I have ever experienced and I have had plenty of it in my lifetime.

I was on 150mcg and then dropped to 125mcg and still my T4 was high. Each time I have reduced I have felt so much better after a couple of days and then about a week later BANG all the nasty anxiety back. After dropping to 125mcg early December my Jan results came out that I was still taking too much Levo, highest range was 22 and I came out at 28!. Dropped to 100mcg and same thing again, within a couple of days I felt much better and anxiety disappeared; then a week or so later back comes the anxiety.

Have phoned the two chemists I would have used over the last 12 months to see if they have a record of the brand I would have been given, but unfortunately they don't. I have 100mcg Actavis and 25mcg Wockhardt. Have just been taking the Actavis.

What reactions has everyone been having telling them that Actavis didn't suit them?

[Angel48]

I know what you mean. I generally don't feel well since being on Actavis levothyroxine 100micrograms. After 6 weeks on Actavis I feel sick, have experienced low mood muscle cramp and just not myself. I've had a thyroid condition since birth.