Check your levothyroxine packaging!

[lynmynott]

How many of us realise that we can be given a different generic of our levothyroxine medication and that this may cause adverse effects due to something within the ingredients? Check your packaging and be aware!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Always get a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).This should be in the packaging when you are dispensed full packs. But if dispensed loose or as partial packs, ask for one.

(It must be the correct PIL for the product dispensed.)

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to helvella]

Absolutely. One thing to check for is whether the different generic has mannitol in it rather than lactose. Mannitol doesn't suit everyone. If your generic has mannitol in it and you have had extra symptoms since your last prescription try getting one without mannitol in it next time.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to lynmynott]

Same in reverse for those who are intolerant to lactose!

(Aristo has neither lactose nor mannitol.)

[RedApple Administrator]

Here in the UK, I prefer to use the term 'make or brand' when it comes to our thyroid medications.

I know that the NHS only officially prescribe generic levothyroxine.

But, we are used to discussing and identifying our levo by the different names that appear on the boxes.

The term 'generic' conjures up images of unidentifiable tablets in brown bottles, which is how things were dispensed years ago.

These days, in the UK, we get our levo in blister packs, which have the manufacturer name on the foil backing. e.g. Aristo, Teva etc.

Confusion arises when the blister pack inside the box has a different name to that printed on the outside of the box.

e.g. A box dispensed by Boots may say Almus on the outside, but have another name on the blister pack inside, and that name might differ according to the tablet dose.

Here on this forum, we always encourage people to request that their pharmacy DO NOT dispense a different brand each time we get a repeat prescription filled. Tell the pharmacy which 'make/brand' you want, and always check what's inside the bag before you leave the pharmacy.

If your box doesn't contain the make/brand you feel best on, don't accept it. All makes of levothyroxine are NOT THE SAME, no matter what any doctor or pharmacist may try to tell you!