Is anyone allergic to the coating/bulking of Levothyroxine?.

[Mannequin18]

Hi everyone. I have autoimmune hypothyroidism and PA. Does anyone else have an allergic reaction to different brands of Levothyroxine?. The only one I can take is Actavis. I was informed yesterday by my pharmacy that Actavis has been taken over by Teva.

My concern is that they will change formula.

My question is can you have injections instead of tablets?, I am running out of options.

I have tried all the major brands of Levo, I come out in a severe rash on chest and neck, (mean severe).

I had to have Eltroxin a month ago and my chest looked like it had been under the grill, with terrible pain. It also went round my neck and down my arms this time, and every mole in those areas raised up and was agony.

I am terrified of trying any other brands.

Does anyone have any information please.

Thank you.

[helvella Administrator]

The only one I can take is Actavis. I was informed yesterday by my pharmacy that Actavis has been taken over by Teva

I have posted about this several times.

For a brief period, Teva owned the company we knew as Actavis - the bit in Devon that makes Actavis levothyroxine. One of the conditions of the deal was that Teva dispose of that bit of Actavis - which they did. They were taken over by Accord.

There is suspicion that Actavis levothyroxine will be, or is being, re-branded.

Do remember that Northstar (from Lloyds) and Almus (from Boots) are also the exact same product just with a different card outer.

Teva levothyroxine is entirely different and separate from Actavis levothyroxine.

You are not the only one who has had some difficulty finding Actavis. Keep asking round. Call Accord.

[helvella Administrator in reply to helvella]

Meant also to say, none of the UK levothyroxine tablets is coated.

Of course, that doesn't mean that none of the excipients (non-active ingredients) is a problem to you!

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your reply. I went back to the pharmacy today and they gave me NorthStar. 100gm Levothyroxine. Inside the carton are Actavis strips, exactly the same. I hope they stay the same, and that they don't change the formula.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

So pleased for you.

That reads as if the pharmacy were unaware that Northstar are Actavis?

(I take Actavis myself - so I also care what they do. But I am not aware of any changes planned - but what would I know? )

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

I think you know a lot more than my GP. And you are right about the Pharmacy. My medication was delivered yesterday, and when I opened it it was not Actavis. When I phoned them they said they could not get Actavis, and that it was being taken over by Teva, so I took them back today (the NorthStar package). And the pharmacist said that they were Actavis inside. The person I spoke to yesterday didn't have a clue.

[Hay2016]

There are liquids available which some with allergies are on. It’s expensive though but I’d speak to GP.

[JayP2015]

I am exactly the same. I can only tolerate Actavis and Wockhardt, every other brand contains acacia powder that I'm allergic too. Only found out when my levo was changed to Mercury Pharma, the pharmacist actually worked it out. This will explain why he has to order Actavis in and can only get 2 boxes at a time. I will be in trouble if they change the formula to include acacia 🙁

[Mannequin18 in reply to JayP2015]

Thank you for your reply. Today they gave me NorthStar, and inside the carton are strips of Actavis. So NorthStar must have taken over Actavis, I hope.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

Not so.

Actavis branded levothyroxine is produced in the same factory in Devon as it has been for years.

That product is packaged as Almus (for Boots) and as Northstar (for Lloyds).

That part of Actavis was acquired by Accord.

If you look on the lower side of the cardboard out it says that the Product Licence Holder is Actavis.

[JayP2015]

Thank you for that info. I've just collected part order of Actavis so will check if I have North Star in the second part.

[765nottyash]

Levo gave me constant sickness and diarrhoea, never felt well on it, but I've been taking Nature Thyroid for over ten years and feel good on that, I noticed a difference within a couple of weeks and never looked back.

[Mannequin18 in reply to 765nottyash]

Hi, are you in UK, if so do you get that on N.H.S.?.

[765nottyash in reply to Mannequin18]

Yes I'm from the UK, but the Drs wouldn't precribe it, unfortunately I have to buy it.