Aristo brand of levo

[Alwayssearching]

Just wanted to say i was changed to Aristo from Mercury by the pharmacist more than two months ago and I went downhill. I’ve since asked him to let me go back to Mercury and two weeks later I am back to how I was before Aristo. Achey bones and stiffness are so much better. Has anyone else gone downhill after taking the Aristo brand?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Aristo has only been available in the UK for a few months. The number who have had it dispensed seems to be modest.

Others who have mentioned it have not, so far as I have noticed, reported going downhill.

Thank you for posting your experience.

[Alwayssearching in reply to helvella]

Thanks. I wasn’t sure whether to mention it but I think it’s worth highlighting just in case it helps someone

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Interesting feedback...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Ask GP to write “Mercury Pharma levothyroxine brand only” on all future prescriptions

[Alwayssearching in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I asked if they can do that and initially the pharmacist said it’s pot luck what they are sent! But then they said they had some mercury in stock there and then so they gave me some. Will persevere. I’m on 100mcg. Many thanks for info

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Alwayssearching]

I have until now resisted getting my prescription sent to a pharmacy - preferring to pick it up myself and have freedom to choose where to go.

This time, though, I accepted the current issues and nominated one pharmacy. When I got there they had dispensed the levothyroxine and, luckily, they were what I am happy to take. However, they were happy to note the makes on my record there for the future.

No idea if it will make any difference. And that pharmacy has fairly consistently dispensed these makes (only had a couple of times where I have had to go elsewhere).

[Retteacher in reply to Alwayssearching]

My GP said that they only prescribe levothyroxine and do not specify the brand. He said that it is a matter of negotiation between the patient and the Pharmacy. My Pharmacist seemed very aware of the problems associated with the excipients in the tablets.

My abdominal aching and other signs of inflammatory gut problems were definitely increased by trying the Mercury tablets. Perhaps you are ok with the smaĺl amount of lactose However, for me reverting to Teva also had an influence on when symptoms increased in each day.

I am presently trying the hypoallergenic Tirosint capsules on a private prescription. In the UK these capsules have to be brought in on a special basis, but they arrived within 2 days. 3 months supply of 100mcg capsules cost £130.

Is this worthwhile? Too early to be certain. My gut symptoms now appear to be more random and I hope that they wiĺl decline over time. It seems common sense to minimise irritants in medications. My endo advised a trial for at least a month so that I could go back and request an oral solution on the NHS (they contain preservatives). after proving that the tablets upset me.

[Alwayssearching in reply to Retteacher]

Hope it works out. Such a minefield isn’t it.

[Neeta-K in reply to Retteacher]

How did you get on with the tirosint?

[Achilles_Pain]

Yes, I do seem to have deteriorated since being changed to Aristo a fortnight ago. Previously I was on Almus but since I was changed I ache, especially my legs and Achilles, my insomnia is back with a vengeance, the skin on my forehead is lumpy and sore and last Sunday I went to a friend's for a drink (sitting at opposite ends of the garden table - social distancing to the fore) and after less than 2 bottles I was feeling light headed and the following morning I had a bad head and it was almost lunch time before I could face food. All after a smidging over a pint. Last night I had one can (330ml/0.58 of a pint) and I can feel it this morning.

On top of that, when I take the tablet in the morning it takes less than a second before it starts to crumble/dissolve on my tongue and tastes bloomin' awful. I have my water in my hand ready but I'm just not fast enough taking that first swig to wash it down.

Previously I've only had problems with Teva and Wockhardt, maybe I need to add Aristo to the list?

I get my prescriptions in blocks of two months (56 days), and I'm only 17 days in - will I last to the end or will I have to waste my GP's time to get a new prescription? I'll have to see if the other symptoms I usually get come back.

[Alwayssearching in reply to Achilles_Pain]

Sorry to hear this... i went to pharmacist and insisted i wouldn’t have Aristo again.. they have me a different one and i got loads better again.. maybe do it for rest of month and then complain... i think it’s terrible that there’s such differences in these pills. You can end up righting off two months of your life if you get the wrong ones.. shouldn’t be like this. Hope you sort it out.