Eltroxin VS Mercury

[GMason]

Does anyone know if there is a difference between Mercury Levo and eltroxin Levo? I'm aware is made by the same people just wondered if there is a difference in quality and side effects?

Heard good things about eltroxin before

[Clutter]

KittyJump,

AMCo (now Concordia) previously said they were the same except for the branding and packaging. They have the same product licence PL 12762/0016 and same ingredients anhydrous levothyroxine sodium.

- The other ingredients are sodium citrate, lactose, maize starch, acacia powder and magnesium stearate.

[GMason in reply to Clutter]

Ok that's interesting, I have been reading a lot that although Mercury claim they are identical that people have radically different experiences with mercury brand causing more issues? This seems odd if the ingredients are identical

[Clutter in reply to GMason]

KittyJump,

It really doesn't matter what other people's experiences are, it's how you do that counts and the only way to find out what is okay for you is to try it.

[GMason in reply to Clutter]

It's just I have a very severe anxiety condition and last time I tried Mercury Levo the side effects scared me enough to stop taking it, trying to avoid a repeat of the same issues but is hard cause meds scare me a lot

[Clutter in reply to GMason]

KittyJump,

Why don't you try Wockhardt as I suggested earlier?

You may have to put up with some adverse effects for a few weeks until you are optimally dosed. It's always hard to tell whether the adverse effects are due to hypothyroid symptoms getting worse or due to the medication at first.

[GMason in reply to Clutter]

My doctor suggested starting it very gradually if I was getting side effects, like

1 a week, then 2 a week then 3 a week etc, to let my body adjust to it gradually, do you think this may negate the side effects?dont want to fail

[Clutter in reply to GMason]

KittyJump,

It's not some test you have to pass. You can try it that way but it will take a very long time for you to get to the dose you need. Try halving the tablet so you are taking 12.5mcg daily for a week and then increase to 25mcg.

You might have to put up with some side effects for a while but if you're trying an alternative to Mercury Pharma you may not have any side effects.

[GMason]

He was saying taking 1 every 2 days is the same as halfing it as it builds up, you know if that's right?

[Lozzer66 in reply to GMason]

Yes that's right 1 tablet every 2 days is the same as half of tablet daily.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Just a note to clarify in order to avoid possible confusion:

In the UK (and Ireland, I believe) Eltroxin is a brand owned by Mercury Pharma (and hence their parent Concordia International). At present, it is rarely actually available on the UK market.

In many other countries, including several European countries, Eltroxin is a brand owned by Aspen. In still more remote countries, some other companies produce product(s) branded Eltroxin.

If not made by the same company, the products are different with substantially different ingredients.

[GMason in reply to helvella]

Thanks for the info I'm in the uk and managed to get my doctor to give me a few boxes, unsure if this is just re packaged Mercury though?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to GMason]

Yes - it was more for anyone else who lands on this thread in the future.

Given that they have the same Product Licence, I think we have to accept that they are the same product. They always did have the same ingredient list, but people said they affected them differently.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask your GP to test your vitamin D, ferritin, folate and B12.

Low vitamin D, especially can make you feel anxious.

They can all be linked to low thyroid.

Getting started on Levothyroxine will definitely help, even if you have to build up and increase dose very slowly.

Sometimes GP may give beta blocker (propranolol) as well as Levothyroxine. This reduces anxiety and stops palpitations, enabling you to get on to a higher level of thyroxine quicker.