Change of manufacturer my levothyroxine is not the same?

[Canvasbutterfly]

I am having real issues with my health and I think it may be because the pharmacy has changed my prescription as the manufacturer of the levothyroxine tablets that I am used to having was an orange and white 100 mcg packet I think my have been Activar to a smaller khaki and white packet by Northstar. Also my 25 mcg tablets used to be from Wockhardt and have been given two different brands Mercury and Teva 25mcg tablets. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel more exhausted very achey and no energy, desperate really as can not cope I feel under mededicated and want to know if I could go back to pharmacy and get my meds changed back. Has anyone else experienced adverse effects to these companies Levothyroxine?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Actavis is marketed under its own label and also packaged as Northstar and Almus. Look on the outside of the pack and you will see it says the product licence holder is Actavis.

However, Mercury Pharma and Wockhardt and Teva are all different formulations.

Go back to the pharmacy. Explain. Ask if they will exchange. However, I think the pharmacy would end up losing out (albeit levothyroxine is not very expensive). If they refuse, you will probably have to ask for a new prescription.

Whatever you have been used to, keep to that.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to helvella]

Thank you, I have been trying to work out why I feel so lousy.... difficult as I am menopausal with symptoms and have osteoarthritis in my neck which gives me body aches and headaches.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Canvasbutterfly]

I too tried 100 micrograms of Actavis plus a very little Teva (12.5 micrograms) - and I was not happy with it.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to helvella]

It's not good that they change the supplier from what we have been used too it is definitely having a adverse effect. I had had the same companies for nine years and this past 6 months all has changed.

[Howard39]

Hi

I was used to mercury pharma. Now I have activas and my body seems to dislike that.

My chemist were not happy with me asking for a brand- you get what we have attitude.

Good luck tho and yes hope you have better luck than me

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to Howard39]

Thank you so do I,think I'll have to wait till I'm due to get next script.

[jenp783]

I have found that I was suffering with extreme itchyness and toothache and feeling lousy. I ran out of my normal tablets (wockhardt and mercury) when I had activas and teva my symptoms went and I started to feel better. I had to use my others again and my symptoms came back immediately. I have switched back to teva and activar and better again. Everyone requires different bra d's because of the other ingredients and how it is absorbed. I also moved my tablets to the evening and this gave me more energy during the day x I hope you find the mix that is right for you soon.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to jenp783]

Thank you

[Kazbe in reply to Canvasbutterfly]

Hi I've been on Mercury Pharma from boots pharmacy for 8 months if you ask the Pharmacy for the brand that suits you they should order them for you if not don't collect prescriptions find an alternative pharmacy because it can make you feel awful changing brands! I changed to Teva felt dreadful then recently tried Wockhardt felt undermedicated then Actavis gave me headaches so it really does make a difference to how you feel and in my experience this is regular medication for life so the Pharmacy doesn't want to loose your custom !

Hope you feel better soon and get the brand that suits you

Kazbe x

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to Kazbe]

Great advice, I've been using Sainsbury's Lloyds pharmacy will switch to boots if they are unhelpful.thank you for your comprehensive message.

🤗xx

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Canvasbutterfly]

Lloyds bought Sainsbury pharmacies a while back.

Lloyds is owned by Celesio - the same company as own Northstar. Their standard levothyroxine will probably be Northstar (i.e. Actavis in Northstar's outer packaging). However they will have to supply another make for 25 microgram tablets - my local Lloyds usually supplies Wockhardt.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to helvella]

Thanks for this info

[Rita-D]

Hi, I had problems with Wockhardt and TEVA, 1 made me really itchy, so much that I was leaving marks on my arms when scratching and the other gave me IBS symptoms. Switched back to Mercury Pharma (have to shop around as pharmacy just give what they have. A pain in the neck, but worth it to feel so much better. No perfect, but at least not reacting to the tablets. You need to go back to what you were on. Shop around if necessary.

[Canvasbutterfly]

Thanks for your advice

[dancer11]

I agree about TEVA. It gave me reflux. Since changing to Actavis I am a new person. I explained the problem and requested the GP give me Actavis. She agreed whilst ever the cost was acceptable. I need to add that the pharmacy is attached to the GP practice.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to dancer11]

I Definitely need to request particular brands from now on, seems a problem for quiet a few of us.

[LAHs]

You cannot flit amongst brands. Changing your brand is like going back to square one in the right-dose-of-the-right medication fiasco. Getting to the critical point that will make you feel well can take months and sometimes years, move heaven and earth to obtain the medication that kept you feeling well. The only excuse to switch brands is that your good brand went out of business and therefore that pill was discontinued. That happened a while ago with Forrest Pharmaceuticals, it took me about two years before I had to give up on Levo and switched to NDT.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to LAHs]

Thanks so much for your advice