Thyroxine brand

[Ceebee26]

I note that a few people have asked if we use the same brand every time etc.

Just realised I dont, is there any way of getting the same brand each time?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Collect paper prescription from GP

Ring or visit numerous pharmacies until you get brand you need

Small independent pharmacies tend to be more flexible

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

That is what I do!

So far, I have managed with the four here. But would travel further afield, if needed.

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 24/02/2020.

This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.

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🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)

50

100

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🔸 Almus (an ‘own label supplier’ brand owned by Walgreen Boots Alliance – Boots pharmacies and Alliance distributor)

50 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.

100 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.

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🔹 Mercury Pharma (manufacturer – part of Advanz) includes both “Levothyroxine” and “Eltroxin” which are identical.

25

50

100

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🔹 Teva (manufacturer)

12.5

25

50

75

100

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🔸 Northstar (an ‘own label supplier’ brand owned by McKesson – Lloyds pharmacies and AAH distributor)

25 – This is repackaged Teva. ❗

50 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗

100 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗

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🔹 Wockhardt (manufacturer)

25

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🔹 – identifies manufacturers.

🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.

❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.

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Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.

If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message:

healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

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[Lalatoot]

Some folks need the same brand each time as it affects them. If you are not affected by brand changes then you can just carry on the way things are.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Lalatoot]

But, from now on, make sure you note what you are taking. Then, if you notice anything is different, you can check back.

[Hidden]

I started off with Mercury and because of advice on here stuck with it. If they gave me any different brand I would ask for Mercury instead.

Then the pharmacy didn't have any of the 25mcg and I decided to give a different brand a try. It happened to be Teva which doesnt suit a lot of people but I decided to risk it.

There didn't seem to be any side effects so now I take whatever they give me.

Everyone is different.

[Starfish123]

I started on MercuryPharma and when the dose changed I got Activis and was very unwell, flu like symptoms and very achy. Spoke to Drs and Dispencery at Drs and my prescription was changed to 25’s. So at that time I was given 2 x25’s daily of MercuryPharma. Now I get 6x25’s daily. Just to get the brand.

I’ve since moved so now use a chemist for prescriptions and they know only MercuryPharma and will get it in for me even when they are not sent it from their buyers.

The reason for 25’s at the time was it was more likely to be supplied, Drs say it would be cheaper for less boxes but it’s pence difference so aren’t going to quibble.

[mumellis]

I spoke to doctors via email to request no Teva due to unpleasant side effects, and a note has been put on my repeat prescription, also talked to my nice local pharmacist so I get Mecury Pharma and Wockhart, one of them make me sneeze but it is a lot less than the nasty Teva side effects.