I finally get my GP to agree to named make of Levo on my prescription, (Mercury Pharma) only for her not to be able to find it on her system.... repeat prescription time arrives & I specify that I need a paper prescription... so they send it electronically... grrr then I have to ask them to look in the bag to see if it’s MP ....”yes it is” phew!
Get outside & peek in the bag at my treasured MP Levo & one box is a different make 😱, so back to the queue where I have to plead my case to have it changed.
It really shouldn’t be so hard to receive medication that makes me feel well & therefore less of a burden to family & the NHS with need to return to the doctors with debilitating symptoms! It shouldn’t be this hard. I’m not asking for T3 or NDT just one make of Levothyroxine that works for me.
I know we are in difficult times. I have close family who are NHS workers I know it’s tough, they don’t need the added burden of me becoming symptomatic when it can so simply be avoided.
Written by
StillEverHopeful
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I think the problem is the pharmacists just don't believe the brand makes a difference. They think we're just being difficult and picky. Until THEY are educated, there will always be problems.
My sister is a hospital Pharmacist and she's well aware that brands and the need to stay on a particular brand is important, lets not tar all with the same brush 😉
Fair enough, but I don't know any pharmacists personally, just know the problems most of us have with them in one way or another. So, all I can do is generalise.
In the past they had a pharmacist there that understood about different makes & the need for consistency, (he even said MP was the most consistent with their dose) the counter staff today were different & I didn’t have a paper prescription that enables me to walk away if they don’t have MP (haven’t needed to so far) the counter staff was someone who is usually less helpful, but still far more helpful than the local Boots who have been awful with counter staff telling you you have to have what you’re given without knowing the circumstances & not letting you talk to pharmacist as they prefer Chinese whispers.
Our boots it’s difficult to get past counter staff & they have lots of locum pharmacists so no continuity/consistency. Collected my mums prescriptions from boots & the counter staff just seemed scared with the difficulty of distancing behind the counter. My preferred pharmacy felt much safer.
Most pharmacists don’t know even some doctors don’t know I was in hospital after I was given Teva but was back on mp when the nurse came with my medication guess what she was giving me Teva I said I don’t want that as I have my own that I brought in the nurse said but they are all the same I said to her they are not all the same you would think that with Levothyroxine being a life saving drug and the widest used in the world they would know more about it only one nurse out of them all seemed to know you can’t change brands of course she was on Levothyroxine herself.
25 mcg North Star - I need to go back to one of your replies where you say about who makes/ packages what. I think you said the NorthStar package Teva & Almus... I yellow carded Teva due to intense itching.
25 microgram Northstar is, as far as I know, Teva.
50 and 100 microrgam Northstar are Accord (formely Actavis - change of name only).
UK Levothyroxine Tablets
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Last updated 13/04/2020.
This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.
Please note that re-branding (whether by a manufacturer or as an ‘own label supplier’ - which has happened with several products) does not mean any change to formulation.
—————————————————————
🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)
50
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (manufacturer)
25
50
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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.
—————————————————————
🔹 Aristo – (manufacturer)
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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. ❗
—————————————————————
🔹 Teva – (manufacturer)
12.5
25
50
75
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Wockhardt – (manufacturer)
25
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
🔹 – identifies manufacturers.
🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.
❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.
—————————————————————
Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.
If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message:
I will have it with me for next collection and plan to write to GP about the problem. At least they need to have it marked on my notes that I am unable to take Teva... it seems to have been dropped from the prescription notes!
I had in the back of my mind that it could be teva & waffled on that I know they used Teva or something else and how I was unable to take Teva, I was then told I was given the last box of 25mcg MP Levo....
It's because it is called 'levothyroxine' on the prescription and not the manufacturer's name. If a medication doesn't suit me, my pharmacist will order another that does suit. It can be trial and error initially. Have a word with your pharmacist so that he can source MP for you.
I had finally got GP to agree to specify MP (not as a footnote) but her computer says it can’t do that, but could for Teva 🤣.
It varies each month is like Groundhog Day I always ask for a paper prescription but this time the surgery ignored my request & sent it straight to the pharmacy.
It all depends who is on duty at pharmacy as to how helpful they are to my request.
I'd ask them to make a note of your preference. On an occasion, if pharmacy is busy, I might be given another but they change it immediately if I check before I leave.
i ve read the info about not giving paper scripts and (as far as I can gather) they been they re not using paper scripts internally (for lots of processes we know nothing about). I m sure i saw somewhere that if a patient needs a paper script they can still get them . cant remember where i saw this though
For what it’s worth, I have this exact same issue every prescription time (although my thing is NOT to have Teva). Plus, while completely necessary, it feels so selfish at the moment to rattle cages when the NHS and health service is so focused on Coronavirus.
The thing is, I don’t know why something that could be so straightforward has to become so stressful. It causes problems, not just for us, but for them, when they have to re-do things.
I think they would sooner hand out antidepressants for the anxiety of the uncertainty we experience about getting the make that works best than sort out prescription ordering for make that enables us to function.
While helpful to know I’m not alone with this problem it is sad so many of us have this issue.
Yeah, I get headaches, bloating and generally feel blah 😑 I’ve yellow carded it. And, I agree, I think they’d rather prescribe anxiety medication than get the thyroid meds right!
Hi am so sorry you have to fight for the correct brand of medication and for your voice to be heard. I can understand why people are frustrated as I have had a similar problem with drs not listening to the words that come out of your mouth only listening to the voices in their heads. You was very clear in what you asked for in a paper prescription not electronically. You asked the pharmacist for your brand only to find out it’s not then you have to go straight back in join a long que and wait till you can basically beg for them to get it right and do their job. The amount of times I used to go to the pharmacy and they can’t find my prescription or they say can I come back when it’s less busy or they give me the wrong item. I once got someone else’s but luckily I rang them to say I was bringing it back. It’s what I expect everyone seems to go through as it’s each and every time I go. Grrr. Imagine a magical world in where there is non of this nonsense of having to fight for your preferred choice of medication and you can just go get it without the mix ups god what a day that will be. 🤣. I really hope that when you go next it’s all in place they know what to do and they can just do it. It’s got so bad now I have stopped going to the drs and pharmacy and am without care. At the end of the day you should be getting top class care but sadly when I read yours and other lovely peoples on this site stories I truly realise we are getting sub standard care. I wish you a lovely day and fingers crossed you don’t have another bout of comic carry ons you normally have to put up with. You wouldn’t think that it could go wrong this many times I shook my head when I read of the carry on of what should be a simple procedure of getting your medication. Take care and stay safe. J😄
I can imagine how frustrating that was for you, especially at this time when it is so stressful to go into a pharmacy, in fact any shop.
I find MP brand is markedly best for me too, and being on 75mg Levo l requested and am receiving 25mg MP tablets and take 3 a day rather than having a 50 of a different brand. But l always feel a little anxious when l order and collect, checking before l leave that l have all MP 25’s, as the Activas 50’s l had before gave me a heavy feeling - physically in my legs and also emotionally. ( When l saw GP to report the symptoms was told it couldn’t be my Thyroid issue as l was taking Levo and was ‘within range’ and it must be something else!)
I felt quite panicked at the thought of not being able to get the medication l need during the Pandemic, and l felt guilty as there are so many people becoming very ill with this horrible virus. But l was lucky and found the pharmacy more efficient in the crisis, though l could see and feel the absolute worry of the staff. They are risking their lives to enable people to have the medication they need, and that is so brave and can only be applauded.
Does anyone think there is a way to get this issue more widely recognised? How some brands can make some people feel very unwell. It seems to have happened for Teva, but then it is given new names to disguise it?!
Hi StillEverHopeful - same here. Had severe reaction to TEVA. which also comes under Mercury Pharma branding, but comes in pink packs for 25micrograms. I have it on record but they always prescribe it every time. Always big debate about MF (which is fine) as opposed to Teva. Lloyds say they cannot get MF any more, only Teva branded under them. Recently changed pharmacy and now get Wockhardt 25, which agrees with me.
So far as I know, TEVA does NOT come under Mercury Pharma branding!
Did you mean "MP" rather than "MF"?
UK Levothyroxine Tablets
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Last updated 13/04/2020.
This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.
Please note that re-branding (whether by a manufacturer or as an ‘own label supplier’ - which has happened with several products) does not mean any change to formulation.
—————————————————————
🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)
50
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (manufacturer)
25
50
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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.
—————————————————————
🔹 Aristo – (manufacturer)
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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. ❗
—————————————————————
🔹 Teva – (manufacturer)
12.5
25
50
75
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Wockhardt – (manufacturer)
25
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
🔹 – identifies manufacturers.
🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.
❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.
—————————————————————
Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.
If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message:
About 2 years ago, I eventually realised that the filler ingredient in certain brands of levothyroxine affected my rhinitis and aggravated my asthma and settled upon using 2 brands of levo that did not contain the aggravating ingredient. I experienced the same problem for a couple of years, of running around pharmacies with a paper script, trying to get Wockhardt 25mg and Actavis 50 mg, my preferred brands. The pharmacy I most frequently used became so rude, when they said they could not get Actavis, and I asked for x3 of 25mg Wockhardt. Spoke to me, like I was a 2 year old, that would not understand that I needed to take 3 pills a day of Wockhardt! Unbelievable! Eventually I finally established a sufficient rapport with my nearest pharmacy, to obtain 3 x 25mg Wockhardt. Workhardt seems easier to come by than Actavis.
Now, every 2 months I request a prescription from my dr, through our online system, then immediately phone the pharmacy, speak to the pharmacist and ask to be supplied only only Wockhardt. They have made a note on the system against my name.
By the way, taking Teva levothyroxine, for me, has so many awful side effects, severed insomnia, itching, hives, rash etc that it's like poison, but the strangest thing is that the Teva brand of Montelukast is the best for my asthma!
Good luck on your quest for your preferred brand of levothyroxine, and I hope you find an easier way to obtain your supply. It did my head in, collecting the paper script and running around trying to get the preferred brand from a pharmacy.
I don't think that having a problem with one product from a company should automatically be expected to imply having a problem with other products from the same company. Though I fully understand why people might consider that a possibility, and even wish to eliminate all doubt.
After all, each product has to be developed and licensed separately. And many of the products we see today were first formulated years ago, often by companies that have been taken over.
The same thing happened to myself they first said there was a shortage of mp I phoned mp and they said there is no shortage then the pharmacist said she couldn’t source it load of rubbish finally getting it now if it’s on your prescription for mp you should get it I had been so ill on the Teva brand doctor doesn’t know when I will get back to normal it seems cheaper brands are being put out in the poorer areas as they are on a lot more medication and that was said to myself daughter and someone from smp office that was someone from st Andrews house in Edinburgh who said this I take it she worked for Jean freeman as it was her wee were supposed to speak to and I think this is disgusting so if you are in a poorer area it’s ok to poison you just to save a few pence.
The frustrating thing is my GP agreed to specify MP as part of the prescription & not just a footnote but she can’t find it on the surgery’s IT system.
Perhaps try a different pharmacist? I used to know an independent pharmacist who was all about the money, could say exactly how much profit they made off each prescription. Raved about the money to made of inhalers. I know they are likely a poor example of the profession but 'shop around' pharmacies if you can to find the one/s that will honour your prescription.
I searched around last year & this is the most helpful in the area
Problem is getting make incorporated into the prescription. GP said they would do this but their computer system doesn’t have it listed .... pharmacy does have it listed for NHS & says it’s a problem with the surgery’s IT.... and round it loops.
Hi had similar problems with t3 at my pharmacy. I cured it by using Lloyd’s pharmacy. Just go online create an account and tell them what you want from who, they then check your details with your surgery and get it signed off. Had a chat with my doc about this, it’s all to do with the wholesalers they use and money of course. It’s all about budgets and of course the more they save the more they keep. Problem for him was because he couldn’t guarantee my brands he couldn’t refuse me getting it elsewhere. Lloyd’s have an NHS contract, sent by post very simple system.
I had exactly the same thing. Complained pharmacist came to my house as self isolating She gave me accord not tried them yet but I always have Mercury. I hope there ok. D x
Has everyone who has a problem with Teva filled out an NHS yellow card, to report their side effects? On Teva I became unable to walk. An NHS physio treating me suggested changing suppliers, within 3 days all my side effects had gone. If we all fill it in they may be forced to change their fillers?
I’ve just started taking Teva two months ago and was increased to 50mcg three days ago. Since yesterday, I’ve had shooting pains and aching in my ankles. It’s much worse today. I specifically requested Teva from the chemist as it is lactose free. Does anyone know if any of the other brands of Levothyroxine are lactose (and gluten) free?
The only other lactose-free levothyroxine in the UK is Aristo. Unfortunately, only 100 microgram tablets. Whcih you could split if they are willing to prescribe/dispense them.
UK Levothyroxine Tablets
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Last updated 13/04/2020.
This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.
Please note that re-branding (whether by a manufacturer or as an ‘own label supplier’ - which has happened with several products) does not mean any change to formulation.
—————————————————————
🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)
50
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (manufacturer)
25
50
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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.
—————————————————————
🔹 Aristo – (manufacturer)
100
—————————————————————
🔸 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. ❗
—————————————————————
🔹 Teva – (manufacturer)
12.5
25
50
75
100
—————————————————————
🔹 Wockhardt – (manufacturer)
25
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
🔹 – identifies manufacturers.
🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.
❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.
—————————————————————
Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.
If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message:
I have been having the same issue taken Levo (murcury Pharma) for 3 years and on Friday when repeat was due was given Tev, a friend picked up my meds and I rang the surgery straight away to ask for (Murcury Pharma) and still trying to get this sorted out after running out of meds yesterday I was told I could have a paper prescribe I’d rung round pharmacists and managed to source some. Now my gp or one of them told receptionist to tell me there’s nothing wrong with Tev they are exact the same and more or less accused of making a fuss! I’m a key worker (social worker) and a carer for my daughter and husband who are both self isolating I can’t get ill or become symptom somatic ! I’ve now got a telephone app with said gp in the morning and not had any meds since they ran out yesterday! Absolute nightmare that I currently don’t need! Thanks all for such a great site and all the help and support you offer.
It’s so much harder when someone has to collect your meds as they don’t have the knowledge we have about what works.
Have a look at Helvella’s reply to another of my posts saying that the formula for MP is unique to MP.
I have found once you start speaking with knowledge about the formulations they tend to stop trying to tell you black is white. I also pointed out that if the manufacturer changed I would need to have a blood test as there are small fluctuations in dose and that was surely not cost effective to give me a cheaper/different make.
Last month I ended up saying I felt so strongly about the need to stay on MP that I would be happy to have a private prescription for it. I got an nhs prescription & if needed I could have a private prescription at no charge for writing & just the pharmacy cost which would be around £8.
I have issues with Teva 25mcg and have had to find another pharmacy for that prescription. I am very fortunate that my GP sends that one to this alternative pharmacy and the rest to Lloyd’s in Sainsbury’s. Lloyd’s can’t get Wockhardt my preferred brand. Only the North Star or Teva branded 25mcg which are, of course, both Teva. I also take warfarin and refuse Teva branded tablets. And flecainide and can only take Accord. Due to the current crisis, the pharmacist keeps changing and they gave me the wrong brands last time and I had to get them changed. So I get my majority of meds from one pharmacist and just need to check the bags. And my 25mcg from another place on a different electronic prescription. It’s the fillers that must cause the problem. Which is why the Teva 25mcg is three times the size of the 100 mcg!!! It does make a difference. Hope everyone gets sorted.
24 (edited #)days from posting (ranting) about prescription groundhog day I started the ball rolling for my repeat prescription by writing to my GP, providing the Levothyroxine pdf from helvella and other passages regarding named patient prescribing from Thyroid UK website asking for my preferred make to be part of the prescription (as had been agreed at an earlier appointment, but IT glitch would only put it as a footnote.
I included the problems I went through most months and how stressful/depressing it was to think I would have to go through this each month for the rest of my life. I even said if I couldn't have the make I prefer could I have it as a private .... 4 days later & no phone call or messages I could feel anxiety/despondency/ about it all rising again....
what to do? Start with chocolate....(whole bar of Lindt 65% ) distract myself with family tree stuff...google about dizzy cat....
I then decided to login to the repeat prescription page.... So glad I was sat down... The system has my preferred make as part of the prescription & says last issue was 2 days ago I finally have the make I prefer as a part of my prescription
The system has my preferred make as part of the prescription & says last issue was 2 days ago I finally have the make I prefer as a part of my prescription
It was also good to hear I wasn’t alone with it, but tinged with sadness anyone has struggled to get the same make every month, let alone the make they feel well on. <3 xx
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