TEVA Levothyroxine

[AliF]

I’ve been given TEVA brand 50mg T4 —- again. ( managed to avoid taking the last time this happened) Haven’t started taking them yet and I also have 25mg of one of the other numerous brands I get given to take as well.( and a small amount of T3 from a third manufacturer) As I am far from symptom free ( fatigue, dizzy, aches and pains ) but very variable, I thought maybe I should try the TEVA. I’m not lactose intolerant, as far as I know. It might be hard to know if it is the brand giving me problems or just going through a bad patch. Would I need to wait 6 weeks to find out and has anyone got a good word to say for TEVA and found they felt better on it?

[helvella Administrator]

Some people have found Teva to be the best UK levothyroxine they have tried. Impossible to know without trying, so far as I am aware. (I tried. I didn't like.)

In case you are not aware, Northstar 25 microgram levothyroxine is actually Teva.

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

White

6mm diameter

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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 5.5mm diameter

  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...

[AliF in reply to helvella]

Thanks Helvella. Can I ask why you feel you didn’t like the TEVA brand tablets and how long before you knew they weren’t right for you? I knew the others were all a tangled web but don’t think I was specifically aware that North Star 25 was actually TEVA! I have taken North Star but may have been the 50’s. Not sure.

[helvella Administrator in reply to AliF]

A few days - and that was just one 12.5 tablet on top of 100 micrograms of Actavis!

My stomach became uncomfortable. Difficult to describe. But I felt very definitely different - and this was not a dose change, just a make. (I was taking half a 25 microgram - Wockhardt or Mercury Pharma. And went back to them.)

[AliF in reply to helvella]

Thanks Helvella. Worth knowing. I guess I’ll have to try and see what happens. May be v difficult to tell as my symptoms are varied and variable! Thanks for the info.

[Gillybabe48 in reply to helvella]

Exactly the same for me. Was given Teva 75 mgs and I felt awful after two days, headache, feeling disorientated and muscle twitching. Went back and asked for Mercury Pharma or actavis which I have taken today and feel so much better.

[AliF in reply to Gillybabe48]

Thanks Gillybabe. I tried the TEVA tablets, and whether that happened to coincide with a dip in how I was feeling, or whether it was due to the Teva, I felt pretty dreadful so stopped taking them. Haven’t had any more since and have told the chemist they are not for me. Can’t say I’ve felt great ever since (!) but don’t think I want to try them again. Appreciate you replying.

[Algic in reply to helvella]

Could you identify the ones containing acaica.? It's scary on the way things are just being rebranded.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Algic]

Yes, rebranding seems to me to be entirely not in the interest of patients. Though in reality the actual rate of change is very, very low. I am very uneasy regarding the Northstar situation where they rebrand two different products.

Originally, I didn't even identify those which are lactose-free. But that seems such a common issue, I have specifically identified those which I know contain lactose. (Even this does not mean that the others are officially and definitively lactose-free. After all, many foods add disclaimers that the factory in which products are made also handles allergens. The same could also be true for medicines.)

Every extra item of information is another place that my responsibility for accuracy and being up-to-date becomes more of an issue.

I'd rather encourage you to look at the official documentation.

I feel that the amount of information presented is towards (or even beyond) the limit of what people can readily take in. It was designed so that it formats as well as I can manage when posted on HealthUnlocked. Its primary aim was to identify the formulations available. This necessarily extended to including all re-branding.

It is impossible for me to get it right for everyone, so I could change my mind in future.

[Algic in reply to helvella]

It's because I get a severe reaction to the acia and end up in hospital. It's more prevalent in asthmatics.

had a situation over an MRI recently explained that I was prone to allergies twice speaking to dept. Told I would be fine on the day took meds list in case explained to the assistant who was quite rude. No Dr or crash cart within easy availibilty. The radiograph er got the advisory leaflet out of the dye packet Do not give to asthmatics is first instructions. I was still asked if I wanted it after reading that......

no thanks I'd sooner carry on living a bit longer

[helvella Administrator in reply to Algic]

In some ways, that pushes me NOT to say anything.

If I were to get it wrong, that would be my responsibility. If I limit what I say to, basically, what medicines there are, it gives you a good start but limits the possibility of me making a mistake.

[Auntyp62]

I love Teva....it’s the only one I can keep awake with and my blood test show higher conversion to t3 than any of the others....give me TEVA any day

[helvella Administrator in reply to Auntyp62]

It is so very helpful that we hear from both sides - those who love it and those who detest it.

Have you tried Aristo? It was only launched in the UK a few months ago, and only in 100 microgram tablets.

[Auntyp62 in reply to helvella]

Since Only taking Teva I feel better than in the 40 years of Taking whatever was given over the counter and hope never to try any other make again. My gp was astounded when I showed him 6 years of private blood test that showed T3 of 4.2 for First 3 years but then when I changed to Teva 3 years ago It rose and has stayed between 5.8 and 6 ...I am on 125 daily

[AliF in reply to Auntyp62]

That is really interesting and does seem like a marked improvement. Of course the GP’s will say they are all the same, but I certainly don’t think that’s the case. Hoping I find TEVA gives me a boost too. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Algic in reply to AliF]

The neurologists won over the prescription of generic antiepileptics. The arnt all the same. Because a lot have blood levels taken they were able to prove the blood levels were not consistent and therefore control of seizure activity was unpredictable. So now if they specify its a certain brand it has to be prescribed.

[nk655chii in reply to Auntyp62]

Hi Auntyp62,

Thanks for the good narrative on Teva Levothyroxine. i have been on 100mcg mercury with very bad symthom. but was recently prescribed 100mcg Teva. i observed some improvement. Do you think Teva has a weaker dosage. i feel undermedicated. pls what's your experience when you changed brands. Do you maintain same dosage.?

[helvella Administrator in reply to nk655chii]

I don't think that the actual levothyroxine content of the various makes is likely to vary significantly. (Mind, I could be wrong!)

But factors like your ability to absorb one make rather than another could make a difference. Even speed of absorption rather than amount absorbed.

[AliF in reply to Auntyp62]

Thanks Aunty. Nice, and as Helvella says important, to hear from someone who not only likes, but actually prefers, Teva. I’m gearing up to taking it!

[minus in reply to Auntyp62]

Auntyp62, glad you said that about Teva, in regard to increasing your T3 more than the others and keeping awake. just noticed this morning I've been given a different brand of levo. Normally its always accord/actavis, and that sometimes makes my skin itch, and I find it doesn't do much for me, I often feel tired even with adding 25mg of nature throid to my dose. My tsh levels are better than ever been at 0.98 but I have put on 2 stone since lockdown, bit of comfort eating too, and feel tired and sluggish.

[AliF in reply to minus]

I think my symptoms vary a lot all the time. Can never be sure if it is to do with the brand as it changes almost every time. Could just as easily be linked to the weather ! Very hard to tell with so many variables.

[HashisKate]

I have always been on Teva and I haven’t noticed it exacerbating any of stomach issues I have. With regards to absorption I couldn’t comment as I’ve never taken anything else (and my conversion is low) but this could be down to non-optimal vitamins which I’m going to work on optimising along with a few lifestyle changes 🤞🏻

[AliF in reply to HashisKate]

Thanks for taking the time to reply HashisKate. I am about to start TEVA so we’ll see! If it stopped any of my 3 main symptoms - dizziness, fatigue and aches and pains - I’d be happy. Interesting though that some people are quite happy or even prefer that brand.

[HashisKate in reply to AliF]

I’d almost like to try something else to see if I can feel a difference! But definitely not going to temp fate right now when I am far from ‘fixed’! Fingers crossed it solves those symptoms for you 😊

[JosephineSmith in reply to AliF]

Hey Ali, I was following this 3 months old post and was wondering how are you doing on Teva so far?

[AliF in reply to JosephineSmith]

Hi Josephine. I stopped after about a week because I was feeling pretty grim. Can’t say for sure it was the TEVA but I took all of the unopened packets back to the chemist and they swapped them for another make.

[AliF]

Thanks HK. I know what you mean. I try all sorts of things when things get bad, or at least if they stay bad for more than a couple of weeks. It all seems so straightforward when you are first diagnosed. “Just take this little tablet and you’ll be right as rain! “ And the lucky ones are - but we unlucky ones, very definitely, are not!

[AliF]

Interesting ! Wonder if Helvella knows more ?

[helvella Administrator in reply to AliF]

Afraid I have no idea what I might know more about!

Your response was to the whole thread - not a specific reply - so it is unclear which reply you might be responding to.

[AliF in reply to helvella]

Sorry - weird - can’t see the post on here.

But this popped up in an e- mail “

I'm confused reading this because I can't find any difference at all in the contents of these tablets! As far as I can see Teva does contain lactose and Mercury pharma does contain powdered acacia. They both contain sodium citrate, maze starch. “

They think they are exactly the same!

[helvella Administrator in reply to AliF]

Teva does NOT contain lactose.

The Patient Information Leaflet for Teva says:

What Levothyroxine tablets contain:

• The active ingredient is levothyroxine sodium, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 or 100 micrograms.

• The other ingredients are maize starch, mannitol (E421), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium citrate, acacia and magnesium stearate.

mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

What Eltroxin Tablets contain-

- The active substance is anhydrous levothyroxine sodium. Each tablet contains 50 and 100 micrograms of anhydrous levothyroxine sodium respectively.

- The other ingredients are sodium citrate, lactose, maize starch, acacia powder and magnesium stearate.

mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

[AliF]

Hope that clears it up for the person who replied to me. I haven’t included their name in case they didn’t want to be identified but hopefully they will see your reply. Thanks Helvella.

[Tinacros]

I’ve been on 75mg of teva and my eyes are so dry and sore. At first I though it was hay fever. I’ve had every type of eye drops known to man! Today the skin is red around the eye. My lids are sagging and they feel so dry. I’ve emailed doctor to see if I could change to a 50+25 because only teva do 75mg x

[helvella Administrator in reply to Tinacros]

I hope you make sure that any eye drops (or similar) have no preservative in them?

Although many of us can tolerate eye drops with preservative for a while, it is very common to become sensitive to the preservative. When that happens, using the eyedrops might feel as if it helps for a short time (minutes, maybe an hour or two), but it actually worsens your eyes (several hours, or days).

This is a well-known and widely reported issue.

Mind, I did not feel good on even a tiny amount of Teva. While others love it.

[glowing_cat]

Hi all! I’ve been on TEVA for almost 3 months now after a 3 year struggle to get care!!! I’m on 50mcg and it has cleared up the majority of my symptoms and I’m doing broadly fine with it. I felt like I was not getting enough of a high dose and I was hoping to raise it. After getting my blood test results the past week, turns out my vitamin D levels were well below range despite supplementing it with a strong OTC supplement daily. I’ve been given a stronger one from the endocrinologist and I feel that has helped me keep my energy levels up (that being said, been on it for 4 days so hope it keeps up!)

It’s interesting to me to read how others have reacted to TEVA on here as I feel I still have a bit of a bloated or generally full stomach. Does anyone else have that? I’m considering switching to another lactose-free brand eventually as I think it could sort this out. Any thoughts?

Also any thoughts on tablets vs oral solution? Is the latter more effective for the body to feel the full effects of the levothyroxine?