Brand for levothyroxine

[Leosona]

I was just started on levothyroxine 3 weeks ago after my thyroidectomy. I was given 100 micro grams from TEVA. I have been feeling fine after starting it. Now they are saying that the company does not manufacture medicines anymore. Any suggestions on which is the best brand for this medicine?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Are you in the UK? I assume you are but let us know if not.

I don't know who said that but I offer you their UK website:

No one supplies more medicines to the NHS than Teva.

tevauk.com/

Someone is very wrong, I'm afraid. I sincerely hope it is the person who told you that they are no longer manufacturing medicines. I think were Teva to have stopped manufacturing, that would be major news.

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose-free makes of levothyroxine tablets in the UK - which seems to matter for quite a number of people.

In general, we see a significant number of patients having issues with Teva so they avoid it. But we also see some who have found it the best, or even the only, product that works for them.

I usually suggest that people contact the manufacturer/importer when there are questions over supply. Teva have a page of contact information:

tevauk.com/contact-us/

Replies might take longer than usual in the current circumstances.

Please do let us know what happens.

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 24/03/2020.

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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🔹 Aristo (manufacturer)

100

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🔹 Mercury Pharma (manufacturer – part of Advanz) includes both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma 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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[Leosona]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I am in the UK.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Leosona]

Hopefully, you will be able to contact Teva and the person who told you about them no longer manufacturing?

You can add your location to your profile which can help if people are formulating replies.

(As you replied to the original post, I did not get alerted to your response. No big deal but I only saw it by chance. You need to click on the Reply button on the response you are replying to. )

[Leosona in reply to helvella]

I have just joined this group today. I really appreciate your help and advise. I have contacted TEVA and they are supplying to the wholesalers. This is so helpful. Thank you.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Leosona]

To make statements to patients that a particular thyroid hormone is no longer being prescribed will cause enormous worry especially if they'd been feeling well. I am glad helvella has put things straight.

[Leosona in reply to shaws]

Absolutely!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leosona]

Pharmacies seem to frequently say this when they don’t have the brand people require.

Instead of saying “we don’t have the brand you need/can’t be bothered to get it for you”