Activis to Accord

[Flowerpot108]

I've read on here that actavis was discontinued, dont know if my pharmacy had some old stock or what but I have been on that for a year and then got a prescription through pharmacy2u and it was accord and a week later I've been hit with banging headaches. Going to go to pharmacy tomorrow to ask for actavis (wonder if I can swap? So i dont have to get a new prescription?) But incase there isn't any of that what do most people care well with?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Flowerpot108

Actavis hasn't been discontinued as such, it has just changed it's name to Accord. This rebranding happened last year and some pharmacies were quicker to have the new packaging than others. If your pharmacy has dispensed Accord then I expect there is no longer any Actavis packaged tablets now available to them, mine have been Accord for about a year now.

Some members have found they have had side effects since it's changed to Accord, some of us haven't noticed any difference. Accord say they haven't changed the forumula. If you are having side effects please complete a Yellow Card report

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

It might also be worth contacting Accord and explaining how you've been affected by the Accord branded tablets and ask them why this should be and if they've changed anything with the tablets. Please let us know what response you get.

Please note that Almus is Accord rebranded for Boots and Northstar is Accord rebranded for Lloyds Pharmacy in the 50mcg and 100mcg dose tablets - the exception with Northstar being the 25mcg tablet which is Teva.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You may just need to increase dose of Accord....some people seem to find Accord less strong than Activis

[Flowerpot108 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yeah I certainly feel undermedicatesd, but I got this headache with the 25mcg Teva so now I chop a 50 pill in half of Actavis (or I did) so even though they are the same for some reason this one is giving me this headache.

I do sometimes get a headache when I'm undermedicayed but it's a very different type...I dunno how to explain it but I can just tell its from the changed prescription.

I'll fill in the form and contact accord

[fiftyone]

I used to be on Actavis but it was discontinued last year. I read it became Accord but when I asked my doctor about this just a week or so ago I was told Accord was no longer available.

[Flowerpot108 in reply to fiftyone]

That's so weird. Accord really doesn't feel the same to me. I know that's odd because apparently it is and so when I got it and saw that I happily took it no worries. But this week has just been horrendous with the searing headaches. Have you found a replacement brand that doesnt give you any nasty side effects? Because if they run out of Actavis at some point which they will if it's become Accors I'll need to ask for something else, and hope against all hope they'll get it in for me or something.

[fiftyone in reply to Flowerpot108]

well I'm now on Glucophage. I am not sure whether this brand is affecting me. Although I feel well, ever since I stopped actavis, my loo habits have become more of a nuisance and I'm wondering if that's got anything to do with this brand.

[tattybogle in reply to fiftyone]

Glucophage ? am confused . that's not a brand of Levothyroxine . I think your GP was incorrect , about Accord being no longer available ....

also as well as Accord in it's own box , it is also available as:-

Almus which is Accord rebranded for Boots, and

Northstar is Accord rebranded for Lloyds Pharmacy in the 50mcg and 100mcg dose tablets - (but not the 25mcg size which is Teva.)

[fiftyone in reply to tattybogle]

thanks for that. Looking again, my box says Glucophage on the front but Merck Serono on the back. I wonder if glucophage is an ingredient? A pharmacy told me that Accord wasn't made any more. Now you've told me of the rebranding I'll have a look again, thanks

[tattybogle in reply to fiftyone]

No really ... it's not Levothyroxine ... its this medicines.org.uk/emc/medici... metformin hydrochloride ... something to do with diabetes i think ... if you a re taking these thinking they are levothyroxine you need to speak to your doctor urgently.

[bantam12 in reply to fiftyone]

Glucophage is Metformin to treat type 2 diabetes, if you don't have diabetes you shouldn't be taking it !

[fiftyone in reply to bantam12]

my big error. taking Accord and northstar levothyroxine.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fiftyone]

fiftyone

when I asked my doctor about this just a week or so ago I was told Accord was no longer available.

Accord is available. I picked up my prescription yesterday for 100mcg and 50mcg tablets. Maybe your doctor is getting it mixed up with it's old name Actavis.

[fiftyone]

yeah. getting mixed up. hope I haven't confused anyone. sorry. I seem to have slipped from hypothyroid to diabetes,

[tattybogle in reply to fiftyone]

That's OK... it's not just you

i've just made tea using the wrong sort of tea bag ... off to start again.

[Cebla]

I have a similar problem now that I am on accord after being on Actavis for many years.I fortunately read the headline from this website earlier this year saying that other people were experiencing problems with the Actavis brand change to Accord.

I also had bad headaches, feel tired, and don’t feel as I used to and thought that I was losing my eyebrows again but also had to bear in mind these are not great times.

I had been investigating my Armour Thyroid batches from Forest as it had not occurred to me that Levothyroxine could be different. . I thought that this was the “selling point “ of Levothyroxine that it was always the same.

I was therefore increasing my Armour thyroid thinking that it was not as strong to allow for not being well but then went back to my original dose of Armour after feeling that I shouldn’t be taking more than 3 grains of armour and my consultant offering to change the brand of Armour thyroid which I haven’t done as yet as it’s probably the Actavis brand change causing my problems.

My Lloyds pharmacist say that there is no more Actavis .. I also had always said that I want Actavis.

I have found that my headaches have gone since I started taking the Actavis at night just before I go to bed. However, it has not solved my tiredness/ not feeling right.

I had decided not to have any more Accord but then whilst talking through masks with a different pharmacist I ended up with two months supply and being tired I have lazily not pushed it .. I need to have a non NHS blood test as if I do it through the Doctors as they would be happy if my T4 level was lower.

I will fill a medical card in too

Hope this helps .. this is my first post !

[Flowerpot108 in reply to Cebla]

Urgh it's such a nightmare, it's so hard to push for things when you're so tired. I just went to my local pharmacist to give them all this accord I have and ask for an emergency prescription of the Actavis (they used to have it) and then I'd speak to GP monday and get a new prescription and get them to put a note: "No Teva, No Accord". The thing is I might as well try and find a new brand that works for me cuz Actavis has rebranded to Accord so eventually all supplies will run out.

The other Pharmacy nearby has Alamis based on a call I just made, and that's repackaged access (formerly actavis) but if its accord I can't take that...

So I'm waiting for a call from 111 to get an emergency prescription and calling around pharmacies just to see what they have....

In the meantime I'm supposed to be revising for this bit exam I'm taking alongside working full time to further my career which is not helped by the condition and probably doesnt help this condition...its a nightmare!!!

[Cebla]

Hope that you find a brand that helps .. yes you are right it’s hard sorting it out when you are tired and I feel so annoying as I was felt “balanced “ for so long and now actually want to go to bed in the afternoon but don’t! Good luck

[Flowerpot108 in reply to Cebla]

Yes! That's the thing, I had a good thing going and I didn't feel sick anymore and then I get Accord and it's all in a tizzy again.