Actavis

Pharmacist just told me he can’t get hold of Mercury Pharma so sent Actavis. Anybody had problems with this brand?

Di

[Hennerton]

I find it very good. Teva is the only one I find poor.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hylda

I've been taking Actavis for many years, changed to it when the original Eltroxin (by Goldshield I think) became unavailable. I have been fine. But of course, everyone is different and what suits one doesn't necessarily suit another.

[Hidden]

Thank goodness as he says he won’t reorder for 3 months. Have problems with Levo and beta-blockers mixing.

Di

[SmallBlueThing in reply to Hidden]

Best to take them at least four hours apart, if you haven't tried already. Atenolol messed up my breathing (temporarily, thank goodness), causing something like central sleep apnoea.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Which beta blocker are you taking?

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Nebivolol but it is all change soon as they try to decide a new plan as Afib worsens. Bisoprolol was rubbish.

Di

[hjh88]

I take Actavis 50s and Mercury Pharma 25s in combo and find they work for me. They seem to be free of some of the ingredients that cause trouble like acacia.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to hjh88]

Afraid you are wrong there - Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine tablets DO contain acacia. Below is specifically for their 25 microgram tablets (though all have the same ingredients):

6. Pharmaceutical particulars

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium citrate

Lactose

Maize starch

Powdered acacia

Magnesium stearate

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

[hjh88 in reply to helvella]

Interesting! Thank you for clarifying 😊

[SusanAR]

I absolutely love actavis. It’s the best by far. But I can’t get it in any of my local pharmacies just now. I’m on Teva for the next 2 months unfortunately....at least it’s not as bad as mercury pharma!

[carnation in reply to SusanAR]

Lloyds do Actavis but it is disguised as Northstar, or Boots disguised as Almus, if that is of any help to you.

[SusanAR in reply to carnation]

It is, thanks very much! I’ll try either of those next time.

[Summer64]

I prefer Mercury Pharma but if the pharmacist can't get it Activis is my next choice. I didn't do well on Wokhardt and so far have avoided Teva.

[Boon79]

Hi Hylda. I swore by Mercury Pharma and wouldn't take anything else, but a good few month's ago I was given Actavis. For a couple of weeks things were hard but after that many of my lingering symptoms improved. In fact I an currently on NDT from Thailand and feel that I might go back to levothyroxine as Actavis has been the best for me so far.

[NicoleEast in reply to Boon79]

Can you tell me what you mean by "things were hard." Were you experiencing hypo symptoms or something else? I ask because I often stop a thyroid medication when I have a bad reaction. It never occured to me to stick with it when it's really bad. Thanks!

[Boon79 in reply to NicoleEast]

Whenever I switch brands I have symptoms such as tiredness, depression, brain fog, aches and pains, but after 2 weeks I start to feel better.

Mercury pharma gives me stomach issues but we're all different.

If your symptoms remain after 2 weeks, despite your levels being in range, it's worth trying another brand.

I've discovered that acacia in most levo brands gives me horrible bloating and stomach issues as well as insanely itchy ears that wake me up at night!

Other than Actavis and Wokhardt, acacia seems to be in Mercury pharma and Teva.