Mercury pharma

[kyoto49]

I take Mercury pharma Levo 50's. Recently my local pharmacy have struggled to specify brands from their supplier and supply has been patchy. I've been to all other pharmacy's in my region and all do Teva or Activis. I'm reluctant to change at this point so wondering if anyone can explain why Mercury pharma is so hard for pharmacies to get currently, I know it's still made, and how I can get a regular supply from my pharmacy? They tell me that when they ask for Levo they can no longer specify a brand. I'm inclined to believe them as they have been very helpful over the last 3 years in keeping me on MP and helping me source it!

If I can't get MP, which is the brand closest in formulation please?

Thanks

[Hennerton]

You need to ask your GP to specify Mercury Pharma on your prescription and the pharmacy will then have to order it for you. They can get it but the others are the latest "favourite", I believe. I have a feeling they are all in this together, deciding whose turn it is to be the one the wholesaler is sending out. My Tesco pharmacy is currently giving me Teva.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hennerton]

Teva can seriously upset many people

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If they can't supply Mercury Pharma then take your prescription to another pharmacy that can

A few independent pharmacies can choose their suppliers.

The large chains get, what they get (at a discount price) and won't get something in specially.

I have "Mercury Pharma only" specified on my prescription, but the big chains still ignore that.

[kyoto49 in reply to SlowDragon]

I went round every chemist in my town, at least 10 of them, small and large, none had Mercury Pharma

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to kyoto49]

Yes it's a pain ....I can't get in any pharmacy in town where I live.

But finally found wonderful helpful pharmacy, understands perfectly that brands of Levothyroxine are not interchangeable......but means a drive into next town 12 miles away.

You could try an online pharmacy

[Sybilla14]

Hi Kyoto49. I had an issue with getting MP a few months ago - see an earlier post of mine. I think there may be an issue with the MP generic doses 50 and 100. I've been getting Eltroxin by MP instead. I suspect if pharmacies look for the generic Levo it may not be in stock. Eltroxin is 'supposed' to be the same as the generic so ask pharmacies for that instead and see if that works.

Btw I've been getting mine from boots as others struggled to get it as they seem to stock teva instead.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sybilla14]

I think Eltroxin by Mercury Pharma is exactly same as Levothyroxine by Mercury Pharma.

I reluctantly accepted 25mcg tablets as Eltroxin by Mercury Pharma. Not noticed any difference at all

The 100mcg and 50mcg tablets are easier to get hold of

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

Both Eltroxin and "levothyroxine" have the same Product Licence number, same Patient Information Leaflet. The tablets are indistinguishable.

I don't believe there is any possibility of them being different.

[Warrior75]

I only take wockhardt and I was told the same from 2 different Lloyds pharmacy they can only order 25mcg they don’t know which brand they will get delivered a right pain a couple of months ago

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Warrior75]

I have been using Lloyds for a while. I asked what 25 they supplied and they offered Wockhardt - and always have it (so far!)

Might vary by area, or other factors.

[Warrior75 in reply to helvella]

I think your right one of the pharmacy, made me feel like I was being a right pain so I haven’t been back to either, found another who is very helpful so stuck with them