Change of Levothyroxine brand problems

[Reksie]

I have been prescribed 50mcg of Levothyroxine increasing from 25mcg. However, I have a different brand, Teva, to my previous one, Wockhardt and I feel like my symptoms have gotten worse after 2 weeks. Has anyone else had this?

[helvella Administrator]

Many people find that they do not tolerate Teva well. (Though some find it the only make they do well on!)

This will show you many, many previous posts:

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

However, it might not be quite so simple as you have also had a dose increase. Do you have any Wockhardt left? Could you try taking two a day and seeing what happens?

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 30/04/2020.

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 (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Accord-UK (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  50  PL 0142/0104

  100  PL 0142/0105

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🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Custom Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  25  PL 12762/0016

  50  PL 10972/0031

  100  PL 10972/0032

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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 – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Aristo Pharma GmbH (manufacturer)

  100  PL 40546-0159

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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 – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 PLIVA Croatia Ltd (manufacturer)

  12.5  PL 00289/1971

  25  PL 00289/1972

  50  PL 00289/0038

  75  PL 00289/1973

  100  PL 00289/0039

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🔹 Wockhardt – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  25  PL 29831/0130

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🔹 – identifies marketing authorisation holder.

🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.

🏭 – identifies manufacturers (where known).

❗ – 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 marketing authorisation holder.

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 updated whenever I am aware of any changes or enhancements are needed. Please check the Last updated date. The current version is available as a PDF here:

dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6...

[Reksie in reply to helvella]

Thanks helvella. I have a couple of weeks worth left, so I’ll give that a go and see if it makes any difference.

[posthinking01]

Hi there - I know these are difficult times even before the pandemic but this does annoy me - why oh why do they change our brand of medication - it is so wrong and can complicate stability of health.

A few years back I had a conversation with my local pharmacist who was adamant that it did not matter which brand they supplied to me - I tried to explain to her it is crucial - she was extremely annoyed I was asking for the same brand each time - I can't find the document I printed out and gave her - but I am posting this one which is the American version - she read it and the next time I went in she had got the brand I requested and she apologised and said she had learnt something !!!

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

As others have said on here previously Teva contains a sweetener called Mannitol which can upset users. You could try asking for lactose free Teva - although not sure you can get this without a proper test being undertaken which are usually privately done - but don't cost much I don't think.

Here is some info on Mannitol:

Common Side Effects of Mannitol

• Headache or dizziness.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Thirst, dehydration, and frequent urination.

• Racing heartbeat, low blood pressure.

• Rash or hives.

• Blurry vision.

• Altered levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride in the body.

• Acidity in the body.

Mannitol is a diuretic that is used to reduce swelling and pressure inside the eye or around the brain. Mannitol is also used to help your body produce more urine. mannitol is used in people with kidney failure, to remove excess water and toxins from the body.

everydayhealth.com/drugs/ma...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recognizes mannitol as safe. While the safety of mannitol (and other sugar alcohols) is well-documented, when eaten in excessive amounts some sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol and sorbitol) can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including gas, bloating and diarrhoea.

Hope this helps in some way.

[Reksie in reply to posthinking01]

Thanks for that information. It will give me some confidence to approach my doctor about switching away from Teva.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Reksie]

Teva poll

It’s a Marmite brand, many people seriously can’t tolerate it....a few love it

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...