Change in manufacturer of Levothyroxine

[emmagh26]

Hello

I was wondering if somebody could help or if this has happened to others. My husband's brand of levothyroxine is different this prescription and it seems to have had a negative impact on his thyroid health...i.e. he's experiencing some hypo symptoms: bloating, constipation, fatigue etc.

Has anybody else experienced this at all?

Many thanks

Emma

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

emmagh26

Some people do find that a certain brand of Levo doesn't suit them. Best to stick to the same brand when you find one that suits, either ask the GP to write the brand on the prescription or ask the pharmacist to make a note on your records to only dispense that brand. Check the bag before leaving the pharmacy counter and if it's not your preferred brand then hand it back and ask for your paper prescription back then ring round other pharmacies to find one who has the brand you want.

He could try discussing this with his doctor or pharmacist to see if he can return the current tablets and have a new prescription for his preferred brand.

What brand was he on before and what brand has he been given this time?

[emmagh26 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. From further research, it seems quite common, especially with Teva, which is the brand he's been given this time. I want to say Mercury was his usual prescription. I also take thyroxine, so he's going to try my brand for a few days to see if that makes a difference. He has one unopened packet, so we'll see if we can return this to the pharmacy for the usual one.

Thanks again for your advice. Have a lovely weekend.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

academic.oup.com/edrv/artic...

[emmagh26 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. His new prescription is Teva. And from research I did yesterday, seems lots of people have issues on this brand. He's been on the same brand for two years without any problems and this is the first time it's been changed and he's feeling pretty lousy. I take a combo of T3/T4, so he's going to try my brand of T4 to see if that makes a difference. I've also ordered medichecks so we can check his levels too.

Will get him to pop to the pharmacy to see if they can exchange the unopened Teva brand packet for his usual one.

Many thanks again for your help. Have a lovely weekend.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to emmagh26]

Ask GP to add note to all future prescriptions

“No Teva brand”

And put in yellow card

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk