Problems with side effects from taking Accord

[Pink_Bear]

Hi everyone I've not written here for a long time because mostly I've been well. For 10 years I've been taking Aspen Eltroxin 100mcg and it suits me well with no problems. I buy it annually when I'm abroad. Problem this year because I'm running out and obviously can't travel abroad to restock. So I contacted my GP and got a prescription because I will need an alternative before long and thought I should try a new brand to check out today's offerings. I started taking Accord on 22 March and stopped on 6 April, and reverted to my Eltroxin. I am feeling so ill. It began with mildish nausea and progressed to now where I have shooting pains all over my body, a horrid rumbling stomach, lots of burping, loss of appetite and very poor sleep. I spoke to my GP yesterday and she is looking into the problem and says the pharmacist will phone me to discuss. I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar issues with Accord, and what they found that worked for them?

The fillers used are:

Aspen Eltroxin

Anhydrous Thyroxine Sodium 100mcg, Microcrystalline cellulose , Pregelatinised starch, Talc, Collodial anhydrous silica, Magnesium stearate

Accord Levothyroxine

Anhydrous Levothyroxine Sodium 100mcg, Lactose, Pregelatinised maize starch, Maize starch, Stearic acid , Magnesium stearate

I surmise there is something in Accord that doesn't work for me. Any ideas most gratefully received.

[helvella Administrator]

The obvious suggestion to make is the lactose.

In which case you could consider Teva or Aristo who both supply 100 microgram tablets in the UK. I know many have said that they cannot tolerate Teva levothyroxine, but some have found it the best levothyroxine they have ever taken.

There have been several posts here about experiences with Aristo levothyroxine.

The other obvious possibilities are the maize ingredients.

Not necessarily either of those!

I urge you to complete a Yellow Card report:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

So glad you tried the Accord before you totally ran out of Aspen Eltroxin.

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines.pdf

This document has information about the available thyroid hormones in the UK and, in less detail, around the world.

dropbox.com/s/shcwdwpedzr93...

[Pink_Bear in reply to helvella]

Thank you, I really appreciate your input, and the document with all the available medications. I have completed the yellow card.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Pink_Bear]

Thank you.

Yellow Cards should be considered gold dust!

If we don't report issues, we can't expect "them" to know about these issues. GPs are appalling at reporting medicine issues.

[Shazy-B]

Hi I have been taking Actavis for the past several years and been fine until it recently changed to Accord. Since October last year I have been taking Accord and it may be a coincidence but I have been really ill. It’s started with increased migraines 2/3 per week, occipital neuralgia (possibly as I’ve not have a definite diagnosis) now I have daily nausea and dizziness usually of a morning. I have been referred to a neurologist but obviously with the pandemic waiting times are ridiculous. I have emailed the company asking if anything has changed (ingredients wise) since changing from Actavis but they have assured me nothing has. I am at a loss.

[Pink_Bear in reply to Shazy-B]

I'm really sorry to hear about your problems. Have you reported this to your GP and asked for a different brand? Sadly they keep telling us all brands are the same, but spend any time on this website and you will quickly see that this is not true and we can experience devastating side effects when things change.

[Shazy-B in reply to Pink_Bear]

I’m a bit bewildered by which brand to try to be honest, you hear so many negative side affects from different ones. I was thinking about asking for Aristo but it seems quite difficult to get hold of. Have you decided what you’re going to take now instead of the accord?

[Pink_Bear in reply to Shazy-B]

I'm lucky in that a friend is out of the country at the moment and is going to bring me back the brand that I have known and loved for over 10 years. So for the moment I'm putting off the problem of which brand here in the UK could suit me. I think the problem is not the levothyroxine itself, but the fillers used to bind it into the tablet. I'm certain they chop and change what they use and always go for the cheapest, and although doctors don't seem to recognise it as a problem patients most certainly do. I hope vey much you find something that suits you.