Actavis Levothyroxine versus Accord

[Mannequin18]

Hi all, hope you are all keeping safe.

It's a while since I posted.

I have Hashis, and have only been able to tolerate Actavis.

But Accord have taken them over, and I think moved to India. (That is what I read).

My problem is, for the past 5 weeks I have been taking my Levothyroxine, thinking it was still Actavis, and wondering why my neck face and chest looked like it had been in a nuclear blast. I only get that when I take anything other than Actavis.

I am wondering if any other sufferers have had a reaction to the new Accord brand.

I don't know what I will be able to take. North Star are still Actavis, but I think they only do 50's. And I need 150mg.

Has anyone any advice or suggestions please.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mannequin18

Accord are still producing their Levo in Devon I believe and nothing has changed. A few people have mentioned they think it's different but not everyone. I use 100mcg and 50mcg Accord after having Actavis for many, many years, and I have not noticed any difference.

Almus is Accord (previously Actavis) rebranded for Boots and they do 100mcg and 50mcg.

Northstar is Accord (previously Actavis) rebranded for Lloyd's Pharmacy and they do 100mcg and 50mcg. Northstar 25mcg is produced by Teva.

helvella have you heard anything different?

[helvella Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

Agreed with what you have said.

Have just checked the MHRA site and there are no updated documents for Accord levothyroxine - they all still say Barnstaple, Devon.

Mannequin18 what does it say on the Product Information Leaflets you have?

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your reply. I always throw the leaflets out, foolishly. So I don't know.All I know is that I get this reaction when I take thyroid meds that don't agree with me.

All the moles on my chest neck and face raise up and are very itchy. As well as raised sore itchy skin. It keeps me awake at night, it feels like I have been burned.

This month the pharmacy sent 50mg of North Star, and 100mg of Accord. So today I have just taken 3 x 50mg of North Star.

I will see if there is any improvement tomorrow.

I managed to get an appointment with my GP for Friday. I will ask if there are any other ways of taking Levothyroxine.

Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

It isn't an answer, but you might find that taking an antihistamine tablet an hour or so before you take your levothyroxine might help. (Try any over-the-counter product - likely all will help a bit.) If nothing else, it might help to prove what is happening.

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Yes I will, thank you

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Mannequin18]

If you are ok with only Northstar after you take your 3x50 why don’t you order them online from Echo? Then you will only get that brand as Echo is Lloyd’s. It’s what I had to do after after the chemist used to give me whatever they liked despite knowing I needed Actavis.

Echo are brilliant, you even get reminders to order.

[Mannequin18 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Thank you for your reply. North Star was taken over by Actavis. So in North Star boxes the foils are Actavis. But I'm sure that won't last long. North Star have also been taken over by Accord, the same as Actavis. I will look into Echo and see what they have, thank you.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

No!

The part of the gigantic company Actavis that provided several generic medicines in the UK was bought by Accord.

Accord have now re-branded those Actavis products as Accord.

"Northstar" and "Almus" are what are known as ‘own label supplier’ brands. A bit like supermarket own brands of baked beans! They just got another company to package existing product with their labels - or outer card boxes.

The Northstar brand was and still is part of the McKesson - which owns the Lloyds pharmacies (including Echo) and AAH the pharmaceutical distributor.

The Almus brand is owned by Walgreen Boots Alliance.

Northstar get Accord to put their 50 and 100 microgram levothyroxine product into Northstar card outers. (But as Accord do not make a 25 microgram product, that is sourced from Teva.)

Almus get Accord to put their 50 and 100 microgram levothyroxine product into Almus card outers.

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Hi, my North Star Levi. Is Actavis on the foils. I have had this in the past.There is a difference since Accord have taken over Actavis. I have had an allergic reaction. The same as I have had in the past with all other brands of Levothyroxine, with the exception of Gold Shield and Eltroxin. Having said that, I tried Eltroxin 2years ago and had a worse reaction than I am having now.

So I really don't know what is going on with all these different brands.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

I do not believe that there was any intentional change to the product when the branding changed from Actavis to Accord. But it is always possible that a batch, somewhere around the time of the change of brand, has caused an issue.

Fill in a Yellow Card report. Ask your GP for another prescription. Send your current product to Accord (when they ask you to).

Gold Shield was rebranded Mercury Pharma.

For some time, there might have been slight differences between Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine and Mercury Pharma Eltroxin but they are now, and have been for quite a few years, absolutely identical.

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for the information. I cannot take Mercury Pharma either.How do I fill in a Yellow card report? Please. Thank you.

[humanbean in reply to Mannequin18]

You can fill in a Yellow Card here :

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

[Mannequin18 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for the information.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

A post I wrote:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

I only have the boxes left now because I took them for the last month. Both boxes were Accord.It's definitely them that caused the allergic reaction, because it's the same reaction I get when I take a brand of Levothyroxine that doesn't agree with me.

I've never had this reaction to anything else.

I will have a look at the yellow card to see if I can get some information.

Thank you.

[PirateQueen in reply to Mannequin18]

I have had the same issue since Accord have taken over. I'm starting to think they have issues with their ingredients or something. I had a bad reaction to a box a few months ago, which I wrote about on this site.. horrible diarrhea, weakness, anxiety.. I thought I was going hyper, but not so. I got a new box the next month and everything corrected itself... until 3 days ago. Opened a new box, and for the last couple of days I've had almost constant heart palpitations. I couldn't figure it out, nothing had changed, I'm not under anymore stress than usual... then thought, ahhhh. Accord Levothyroxine. Of course! It's becoming the usual suspect now!

[Mannequin18 in reply to PirateQueen]

Can you tolerate any other brands. I can't.I have been on Actavis for 14 years with no problem. But now Accord have taken over nothing but problems, including being undereducated apart from the horrific rash that is intolerable.

My GP has put me on liquid as it doesn't have all those nasty fillers that upset so many people.

Hope you get sorted.

Since stopping the Accord brand, my symptoms have gone. So people who say their is no difference, well I'm sorry there is. It just doesn't affect everyone. And they are lucky.

[PirateQueen in reply to Mannequin18]

I’ve tried Mercury, which made me feel really hypo, and Teva made my face swell! Actavis gave me my life back, although I’ve piled on weight with it. Don’t know if there’s anything else I can try, got to speak to my doctor and/or pharmacy next week. So many people online have told me nothing’s different with the Accord tablets but my experiences tell me otherwise.

[Mannequin18 in reply to PirateQueen]

Actavis was great for me too. I did some research into Actavis, and it was a family run business. That is why it was so good.But I've learnt that Accord now outsource the fillers, and they said they have no control over them, which I find ludicrous. Also Accord outsource to India. That's a long way away. You would think it could be done here, and you would think in the same factory.

Would your GP let you try liquid levothyroxine.

I've only been on it for 2 weeks and my allergic reaction has gone.

It's bad enough having thyroid issues, without the medication making you worse.

See if you can try the liquid.

Good luck.

[PirateQueen in reply to Mannequin18]

Thanks so much, I will ask. Glad your bad reactions are gone! Stay well

[Trebellan in reply to Mannequin18]

Hi Mannequin, so reassured to read your post. I too, took Actavis brand for many years without a problem and everytime I was given a different brand I developed problems so always stuck with Actavis. Recently, I started to experience problems again despite being assured that my now Accord branded tablets were the same as before and were still Actavis - just that the company had been taken over. I, too, experienced heart palpitations, skin rashes, breathlessness, weakness and I also developed intermittent muscle tetany and feeling shivery - all symptoms I associate with my thyroid levels fluctuating or dropping when given different brands. I also developed constant nasal stuffiness again, which was a problem I had when I took Wockhardt brand but cleared up when taking Actavis brand. I do wonder if there has been some sort of change to explain these issues as I only noticed the change of name on the foil packets inside the box after I had been having lots of symptoms and Googled Accord to see if they were the same as Actavis.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Mannequin18]

Not on mine, they are marked as Accord on the back of the foiled pack. But I’ve seen no difference in myself simply because they are the same formulation as when the Levo I took was branded as Actavis.

[Mannequin18 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Not for everyone there not. I'm glad you haven't experienced any changes, but many have.

[Mannequin18 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your reply. I did not notice that I was using Accord until 2 days ago. I have been having the rash, pain and richness for about 5 weeks, but I didn't put it down to the Levothyroxine because I hadn't realized that it was a different brand.

I checked my boxes for last month and they are both Accord brand, thus month I have been given 50mg North Star and 100mg of Accord.

I stopped the Accord yesterday and today have taken 3 North Star. My pharmacist said she would send me some Actavis today, but nothing arrived.

I have a telephone appointment on Friday with my GP. I will discuss if there are any other options, perhaps there are other ways to take thyroid meds.

Thank you again.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

Do look at the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) number which will be on the packets. (Usually along the bottom edge of the outer card pack.)

If two packs have the same MAH number, they are the same product. (Of course, as with anything, there can be batch to batch variations.)

If you do think there is an issue, please fill in a Yellow Card report:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Thank you I will. You all give such good information. Bless this site.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mannequin18]

Mannequin18

but I didn't put it down to the Levothyroxine because I hadn't realized that it was a different brand.

It isn't a different brand, Accord is the exact same product as Actavis just with the Accord branding (the new owners).

thus month I have been given 50mg North Star and 100mg of Accord.

They are the same tablets (just different dose). Accord make NorthStar as mentioned in my previous reply, it's just an "own brand" name for Lloyds Pharmacy but can be dispensed by other pharmacies when Accord branded tablets are out of stock.

I stopped the Accord yesterday and today have taken 3 North Star.

As mentioned, Northstar is Accord so there's no difference.

Have a look on the long, narrow side of the NorthStar box and on the foil back of the blister pack. You will see the name "Accord".

My pharmacist said she would send me some Actavis today, but nothing arrived.

I doubt whether your pharmacist will be able to source Actavis because that name has been phased out and the new branding "Accord" has now been around for a few months. I expect all stock of the old Actavis branding has now been used up.

So to reiterate:

Actavis, NorthStar and Almus are all the same tablets made by Accord.

Actavis name has disappeared and is rebranded with the Accord name. The box is the same colour and design as before.

NorthStar is Accord (Actavis) rebranded for Lloyds Pharmacy in 100mcg and 50mcg tablets.

NorthStar 25mcg tablets are made by Teva.

Almus is Accord (Actavis) rebranded for Boots.

[Mannequin18 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. My North Star foils are Actavis. I have had these before where the box says North Star but the foils are Actavis. But if they have all been taken over by Accord, then that will change also. And on the side of the box it says PL Holder, Actavis, Barnstable. So do the Accord. It's so confusing. All I know is how I feel. And that I have only ever felt this way with Levothyroxine that doesn't agree with me.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mannequin18]

Mannequin18

My North Star foils are Actavis.

And on the side of the box it says PL Holder, Actavis, Barnstable

They are probably still using up old stock of foils and boxes, after all it's likely they're not going to waste money by disposing of them.

So do the Accord.

My boxes changed from Actavis to Accord early last year. I have Accord brand in my cupboard from June 2020 and the box says "Accord, Barnstaple". The foils say "Accord".

I can only reiterate that Accord has taken over Actavis so all Actavis branded Levo is now Accord unless it is from a pharmacy or wholesaler who still has some of the older Actavis branded stock in.

The NorthStar brand name will remain (as will Almus) as far as we know and eventually all their boxes and foils will eventually show the Accord name.

As I said before, there have been a few people who have said they have noticed a difference but the majority haven't. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that there could have been a bad batch and this is what we are hearing about from these few people.

[Mannequin18 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes , that's a possibility. Even a small change could throw me off balance. The thyroid must be so sensitive.

[Ocsi]

I had exactly the same problem....I could have wrote your post!

I couldn't understand why I am feeling unwell....my blood pressure was high, my legs have a burning, tight feeling, tiredness ....and then I realised it was not the Actavis brand..

I have Thyroid problem the last 25 years and this is the 3rd time it happened to me.

First I was taking Eltroxine by Goldshield for 10 years ( no problem at all!) then Mercury Pharma bought them out, same 'Eltroxine' tablet, same Pl number, but the aches and pains and high blood pressure prompted me to change my medication to Actavis brand ....and now it is happening again...

I don't have an answer, but I will try another brand...

Wish you all the very best!

[Mannequin18 in reply to Ocsi]

Thank you for your reply. I too used to be okay with Eltroxin Nd Gold Shield. I tried Eltroxin 2 years ago and had an even worse experience. I have not tried Gold Shield for about 15 years.I spoke to the pharmacist today and she said that there is a liquid I could take, but I need my doctors approval. Failing that I know that there are injections available too.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I will see what he advises. Thank you again.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mannequin18]

Injections are strictly hospital-only and regarded as an emergency medicine. Also extremely expensive.

Extreme hypothyroidism can put people into what is known as a myxoedema coma. That is the only circumstance I can imagine an injection being used.

Liquid (levothyroxine oral solution) products are available. They are much more expensive than tablets so doctors tend to be very reluctant to prescribe them.

[Mannequin18 in reply to helvella]

Yes, thank you. I found that out today. 100ml of Levothyroxine costs £180. Per month. And my GP didn't think the surgery would allow it. My GP Did some searching around and they found 4 boxes of Actavis. So they are keeping them for me.

[Guost in reply to Ocsi]

Hi does anyone know if Wockhardt has changed. I have been taking it without a problem for 4 years. Then suddenly my levels all went out of sink and I felt so ill. It’s been 5 months now and I’m still struggling. I was breathless and heart palpitations. They must have changed the fillers 🤷‍♀️

[Darktide]

Any update on this? I’m having the same reaction since they changed from activas to accord , though I know many say the ingredients are the same etc , I definitely feel the difference and was wondering if anyone’s had any luck with other brands?

[Mannequin18 in reply to Darktide]

Just picked up your message.I could only take Actavis. Now that has changed. I cannot take the Accord. I get a severe rash on my neck and face, as well as feeling awful.

I have been put on liquid levothyroxine. There are different brands of that as well. The only one that suits me is Teva liquid levothyroxine. I get a bad reaction to all the other brands that I have tried. I'm on 10ml a day. That is equivalent to 200 micrograms of Levothyroxine.

I still don't feel 100%, because of being on Accord since the changeover seems to have really messed me up.

I am hoping to get some energy back soon, and feel more like myself again.

I hope this information helps you in some way.

If the medication you are on is not suitable, go back to your GP. Who will be able to advise you.

My GP told me that they had been advised to put anyone on liquid levothyroxine who was experiencing problems with tablets. Good luck.

[Darktide in reply to Mannequin18]

Hiya mate thanks very much for the info , yes the accord change has definitely had an effect , ever since they changed slowly I’ve lost all energy reserves and feel lethargic, mind fog just not the same. Activas was fine for years , but now they must have changed something due to the accord change over , I’m going to be contacting the Gp , so you say the Teva liquid is the one that seems to work best for you ? How long you been on it now?

[Mannequin18 in reply to Darktide]

Hi Darktide, I think it was Feb/March time. That I went on the liquid. First Teva, (that is what my GP prescribed). Then the pharmacy did their usual thing, swapping brands for the next three months until I could stand it no longer. Had a massive meltdown and told them all what they were putting me through, and that my GP had prescribed Teva only. It has taken until July to get it all sorted. Now they all know Teva liquid only.So I am expecting my life back soon. The GP is 're-testing my levels at the end of August.

My TSH has been very high. I think it is because of all the messing around by the pharmacist.

The thing is never to give in, and take things that you know are right for your health into your own hand, because no-one else knows how it is all affecting you, only you know.

I wish you good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[Darktide in reply to Mannequin18]

Much appreciated for the insight , yeah for these pharmacy it seems to be about what suits them and their pricing etc , please do keep me updated as well on how your feeling after a month or so 👍