Old Euthyrox formula

[Dogpark]

Hi everyone,

My elderly mother can't tolerate the new Euthyrox formula. I know that Merck has kept on distributing the old formula, although it's not advertised by pharmacies (you have to ask the pharmacy to order it). Does anybody know where I could find the old formula in the UK, France, or online?

Thank you for your help!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Euthryox (of any formulation) does not have a UK licence so will not be available from any UK pharmacy. (Except, possibly, as a special order which will cost a lot of money.)

Why is Euthryox brand so important?

[Dogpark in reply to helvella]

Thank you very much for your feedback. What medicine do people take in the UK if not Euthyrox?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Dogpark]

There are five licensed products.

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 24/04/2020.

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.

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🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer) – 🥛 contains lactose

  50

  100

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🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (manufacturer) – 🥛 contains lactose

  25

  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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🔸 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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🔹 Teva – (manufacturer)

  12.5

  25

  50

  75

  100

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🔹 Wockhardt – (manufacturer) – 🥛 contains lactose

  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.

Only products which definitely contain lactose are identified (🥛 contains lactose). Please check other products. Where products are ‘own label supplier’, check the manufacturer.

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

healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

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This document is available as a PDF here:

dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6...

[Dogpark in reply to helvella]

Thank you Helvella, this is super helpful! I see that in France, all alternatives to Euthyrox contain cellulose, and since you seem very knowledgeable, I was wondering if you knew of potential long term side effects?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Dogpark]

Afraid not.

There are many types of cellulose which makes it even more difficult. For example:

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Cross linked carboxyl methyl cellulose sodium (CROSSCARMELLOSE SODIUM)

We don't always know the derivation of these excipients which might be important.

[Dogpark in reply to helvella]

Most of the medications contain Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose or both. Do you happen to know anything about those? If not no worries, I'm trying my luck here

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Dogpark]

Not enough to be able to answer properly!

Better to accept my ignorance than say things that are half-remembered.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Link about French issues

bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k714

UK Teva also contains mannitol and upsets many people