Teva Reviews

[memiller08]

Hi all, can anyone give their experience on Teva? I've seen mixed reviews. Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

memiller08

I don't take Teva but you will find that some members do very well on it and some have had bad experiences.

It is a lactose free brand, they use Mannitol instead of lactose and this seems to cause various adverse reactions with some people.

So whatever anyone else's experience is, it's something that you would need to find out for yourself if you get on with the brand.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

More hate it/find it intolerable than love it

Welcome to the forum

Have you just started on levothyroxine?

What dose are you currently taking

Are you lactose intolerant, if so Teva is likely best option to try initially

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

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, Aristo and Glenmark are the only lactose free tablets

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Note Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/medications-f...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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.

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).

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

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)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[Alanna012]

I am one of the anomalies who found TEVA to be the most tolerable of the Levo brands. It kicks in very quickly for me. I don't thrive on Levothyroxine full stop, and have lots of problems, but of them all TEVA was the best and most effective.

Switching brands after a long time on one can be difficult.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

You don't make it clear - but I am sure most people reading your post will automatically assume you mean Teva levothyroxine as is supplied to the UK market. Could you confirm that is what you meant to ask about?

(Teva is a huge company which makes, and distributes, vast numbers of products around the world.)

[memiller08]

Hi all! I really appreciate the feedback so far.

I'll provide my story below. To clarify, I do mean Teva Levothyroxine as supplied to the UK market.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s about three years ago and have been on 25 mcg of Levothyroxine since. I actually moved to Scotland in September of 2019 for graduate school, but prior to that I was in the US. I only recently began to pay mind to the brands of Levothyroxine - I didn't even realize there was more than one. Since being in Scotland, I have been supplied MercuryPharma. My TSH levels have consistently stayed normal.

However, a few months ago I decided to come off of it (with doctor approval) just to see how I would react given I’m on such a low dose. Sure enough, three weeks in, I began to be symptomatic and decided to begin taking the medication again. However, while being off I did notice a significant change that I thought perhaps I was imagining until now. Not only was my digestion profoundly better, but my face was significantly less inflamed. I get noticeable under eye bags that basically disappeared. After returning to the medication, the poor digestion and inflammation also returned. I did some research and realized that the dormant ingredients in this Levo brand are lactose and acacia (a tree or grass).

A few years ago I took an allergy test that concluded I was severely allergic to grass, and also allergic to milk and wheat. I understand that lactose is the sugar found in milk, so I'm not sure if that would be the cause, but I am confident that the acacia and the various other fillers are what have caused my issues. It was worse in the states, but I always chalked it up to the Hashi's or my sleep, etc. I live an extremely healthy lifestyle, so none of the poor digestion or inflammation I experience should be occurring.

I've shared my concerns with the doctor, but the issues with simply suggesting the change in brands has proved a monumental challenge. They finally agreed to change me to Teva (my initial reason for posting here), but afterwards I read the numerous bad reviews and would rather not chance it. I have ordered Wockhardt from a different pharmacy (I know it has lactose, but it has the least amount of fillers and also no acacia - also not many horror stories as Teva has gotten), so now it's just a matter of getting my GP to agree to the change and issue a script. Any experiences with Wockhardt? What about issues with your GP?

Thank you all for the support, hope this clarifies things.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to memiller08]

When it comes dairy intolerance/allergy, it is possible to be allergic to any milk protein (casein) but tolerant to lactose. Or, of course, vice versa. Or cannot tolerate either.

I have taken Wockhardt. Very sweet! Nothing much else to say about it.

In order to really get away from the excipients used in the tablets, it might be an idea to consider a levothyroxine oral solution. Much more expensive (which would be a reason for a GP to refuse) but would be a complete change.

I simply get levothyroxine prescribed. So I am free to take my prescription to any pharmacy, anywhere and ask them to dispense whichever make I might wish to get. If I change my mind, I can ask my current or another pharmacy. Of course, reality is not quite that straightforward. It isn't always easy to locate a pharmacy which will supply any specific make, but it is usually possible if you look hard enough.

UK Levothyroxine Oral Solutions

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Last updated 17/09/2020.

This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine oral solutions 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.

—————————————————————

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

🏭 manufactured by FAMAR Netherlands BV

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in multidose bottle

  25 micrograms per 5ml  PL 12762/0459

  50 micrograms per 5ml  PL 12762/0461

  100 micrograms per 5ml  PL 12762/0462

🟢 PIL 25, 50 & 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

—————————————————————

🔹 Creo (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 manufactured by Quantum Pharmaceutical Limited

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in multidose bottle

  25 micrograms/5ml  PL 31862/0035

  50 micrograms/5ml  PL 31862/0036

  100 micrograms/5ml  PL 31862/0037

  125 micrograms/5ml  PL 31862/0038

🟢 PIL 25, 50, 100 & 125 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 125 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

—————————————————————

🔹 Ten Pharma (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 manufactured by BCM Limited

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in multidose bottle

  25 micrograms/5ml  PL 34777/0003

  50 micrograms/5ml  PL34777/0004

  100 micrograms/5ml  PL34777/0005

🟢 PIL 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟢 PIL 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟢 PIL 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

—————————————————————

🔹 Teva (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 manufactured by Delpharm Bladel B.V., The Netherlands

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in multidose bottle

  25 micrograms/5ml  PL 00289/1593

  50 micrograms/5ml  PL 00289/1594

  100 micrograms/5ml  PL 00289/1595

🟢 PIL 25, 50 & 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

—————————————————————

🔹 Wockhardt (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 manufactured by CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in multidose bottle

  25 micrograms/5ml  PL 29831/0493

  50 micrograms/5ml  PL 29831/0494

  100 micrograms/5ml  PL 29831/0495

🟢 PIL 25, 50 & 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 25 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 50 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

🟣 SPC 100 mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

—————————————————————

Non-UK Levothyroxine Oral Solutions

🔹 IBSA (marketing authorisation holder) – branded Tirosint Sol

🏭 manufactured by IBSA Institut Biochimique SA, Switzerland

🧪 Solution in glycerol and water in single-dose ampules

Details below are from the USA.

  13 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0105-5

  25 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0110-5

  50 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0115-5

  75 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0120-5

  88 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0125-5

  100 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0130-5

  112 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0135-5

  125 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0140-5

  137 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0145-5

  150 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0150-5

  175 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0155-5

  200 microgram/mL  NDC 71858-0160-5

🟢🟣 dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym...

—————————————————————

🔹 SERB (marketing authorisation holder) – branded L-THYROXINE SERB

🏭 manufactured by SERB, PARIS, FRANCE

🧪 Solution in ethanol (alcohol) in multidose bottle

  150 microgrammes/ml

🟢 base-donnees-publique.medic... (in French)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

🔹 – identifies marketing authorisation holder (or equivalent in other countries)

🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products

🏭 – identifies manufacturers (where known)

🧪 – primary solvent(s)

🟢 PIL – Patient Information Leaflet

🟣 SPC – Summary of Product Characteristics document

🟢🟣 – Single document combining typical PIL and SPC information

—————————————————————

If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message, or on the forum:

healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

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/7gfwd3f7127xp...

The PDF version of this document has a QR code above this sentence. If your device has a camera and can interpret QR codes, this QR code should take you to the same place as the link and make it easier to download on devices, such as phones and tablets.

[janey1234 in reply to helvella]

Should Accord, who I believe were Activas (same packaging), for 100s be added to this list? 🙂

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to janey1234]

Do they produce or market an oral solution of levothyroxine?

I am only aware of their tablets.

You are right that Actavis rebranded as Accord.

[janey1234 in reply to helvella]

I take their tablets (is that considered an oral solution?) or is that liquid form you're discussing? Sorry if I've misunderstood the list 🤪

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to janey1234]

No - that list is of all the levothyroxine oral solutions available in the UK.

The levothyroxine oral solutions (often called "liquid" - I just use the full, formal name because that is what appears in the description of the product) are based on glycerol, water and some additional ingredients to adjust pH.

[janey1234 in reply to helvella]

in which case, as a resident of Blighty, I get the Accord 100s prescribed 🙂

[memiller08 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for this! I have ordered Wockhardt, and should pick it up tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Does anyone have any leads on a reputable Endo in the Glasgow area who might be able to properly test me? I have only received the THS test since being here, which I know is notoriously inaccurate. Perhaps my levels are off.

[Jazzw in reply to memiller08]

As an aside—25mcg is a tiny dose. A starter dose. Have you never been offered a raise in dosage? Because I can’t imagine for a second that it’s enough to replace your thyroid function.

When people start to take levothyroxine, their own thyroid hormone tends to switch off completely. You can’t supplement with Levo—it doesn’t work as a “top up”. The aim of the game is to work your way up to what’s a replacement dose for you. No way should you have been on 25mcg for 3 years!

Being chronically undermedicated is horrendous, because it results in poor gut absorption which leads to a whole host of secondary issues—iron deficiency anaemia, low B12 and folate, low Vitamin D etc.

What I’m trying to say is, the brand might not be your problems. The incredibly low dosage is more likely to be causing issues.

[memiller08 in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you for this Jazzw, I didn't even realize. My TSH has always come back normal, but I know that test is extremely misleading. Do you by chance have any leads on an Endo in Scotland?

[Jazzw in reply to memiller08]

I don’t but if you start a new post asking for recommendations (by private message only) then hopefully you’ll get some replies.