Getting right brand of levothyroxine

[Mugs19]

I stopped taking Teva after the survey we were sent and I realised how many side effects I was getting. I am on 75 mcg and as only Teva make that dose I changed to 3 x 25mcg daily of Wockhardt. Today my prescription has been delivered and they were unable to supply Wockhardt and have delivered North Star 25mcgs instead, which we all now know are made by Teva. I have been so much better on the Wockhardt that I am in despair at the thought of going back to Teva. The pharmacy are unable to change it to another brand that I could cut to adjust. The receptionists were unable to talk to a doctor about it when I rang and said they will sort it out. I'm not confident they can. Any suggestions?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mugs19

Wockhardt ingredients:

Levothyroxine sodium, lactose, sucrose (fine powder), maize starch, magnesium stearate

Accord (new brand name for Actavis)/Almus/Northstar (not 25mcg) ingredients:

Anhydrous levothyroxine sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, stearic acid and pregelatinised maize starch

Mercury Pharma (Eltroxin/Advanz) ingredients:

Anhydrous levothyroxine sodium, sodium citrate, lactose, maize starch, acacia powder, magnesium stearate

Looks like Accord (or the repackaged Almus/Northstar) might be the closest (Mercury Pharma has acacia powder which some people react to). Ask for some 100mcg and some 50mcg tablets of another brand, alternate them to average 75mcg daily. Or just 50mcg ones and take one and a half of the 50s daily.

[Mugs19 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you very much. I will see what I can get.

[Gingernut44]

You may need to ring around other Pharmacies to see if they have Wockhardt as I had to do a couple of months ago, I was successful on the eighth one which is a 12 mile round trip so asked doc for a 2 months script which he did. You have to be proactive to get what you want, don’t let them fob you off

[Mugs19 in reply to Gingernut44]

Thank you very much for that information. I’m afraid they have complicated matters by reissuing a scrip to the pharmacy for 75 much even though I explained that only Teva make it and I have already rejected it the pharmacy rang me because they know I don’t want it and are willing to supply 50 s instead but I’m not sure what they can get yet. I’m not supposed to go out and they deliver.

[Gingernut44 in reply to Mugs19]

If you did well on Wockardt (the only one I can just about tolerate) then ask your Doc to put on your prescription that that is the only one they should give you. You'll need your Doc to change the amount on the script to the equivalent amount in 25's. It's a bit of a nuisance but the only way to go if you can't tolerate the other brands. Best of luck getting it sorted.

[Mugs19 in reply to Gingernut44]

She refused to specify on the prescription, said she can’t, but after a lot origmatole she prescribed 25 s. the pharmacy has been dispensing Wockhardt for me but this Tim was unable to get it, hence them replacing it with North Star because they weren’t aware it is Teva. I rang the surgery and asked them to issue another prescription in 50s explaining that only Teva make 75s but they have sent a script for 75s.pharmacy is trying to be helpful swapping it for 50s.

[Gingernut44 in reply to Mugs19]

Sounds to me that your doc isn’t very helpful, my doc has specified Wockhardt on mine so it can be done. I don’t know why everything has to be a battle, all this stress just makes our problems worse

[Mugs19 in reply to Gingernut44]

Yes. I’m beginning to think that it’s a large part of why I feel so ill. I don’t feel safe or confident in the people I should be able to trust. Plus I’ve had a lifetime of it, with my pms arthritis, my disabled sons constructional apraxia. Quote from Karl popper: ignorance is not just the absence of knowledge but the refusal to acquire it. It is a great help to get all your replies and know I am not alone.