Teva Issues

[NinaB]

I’ve been issued Teva Levothyroxine for the past couple of months…I take 200mcgs. I’m starting to struggle eg needing to nap. I was like this before diagnosis. When Teva had earlier issues I struggled with my levels. I will get my bloods done. Is it an issue though?

[Lalatoot]

I would avoid Teva . Does not agree with everyone.

[teacherspet in reply to Lalatoot]

I had issues too.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine were you on before this?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Teva, Aristo and Glenmark are the only lactose free tablets

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

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but doesn’t make 25mcg tablets

beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

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.

New guidelines for GP if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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).

[NinaB]

I’ve always had Actavis. Thank you for such a wealth of information. I shall read all tomorrow 🙏 Changed about 8 weeks ago.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NinaB]

Request new prescription from GP

Request that a note added to all future prescriptions

“No Teva”

Put in yellow card too using one of following descriptions

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

reporting one or more of the terms ‘product substitution issue’, ‘condition aggravated’ or ‘drug ineffective’ with levothyroxine. The majority of reports were received from patients

Suggest you give GP copy of new Government guidelines on different brand levothyroxine issues.

Yellow card

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

catnaps49 also put in yellow card, if not done so yet

[Peachandcream in reply to SlowDragon]

Actavis. Best option.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Peachandcream]

Activis is now called Accord

Also available as Almus via Boots or Northstar via Lloyds as 50mcg or 100mcg tablets

[Peachandcream in reply to Peachandcream]

Thanks for being so imforatftive. Never knew about the yellow card.

[catnaps49]

Hi Nina, I was on TEVA, struggling with continuing symptoms, though bloods showed ok. My first step was to contact GP surgery ( this was following advice from this group about TEVA). I have to say it was not easy getting the surgery to px Eltroxin & even more difficult locating a pharmacy to do it, they need to order it in. I have now been on the Eltroxin for 2 months, & I noticed a difference after around 1 week of taking the Eltroxin. I am less tired, less bloated & losing weight, which has been very difficult for me to do, I have started the fast 800 diet, which also seems to suit Thyroid problems. I hope this helps.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

[lesel]

Teva brand is the only thyroxine brand I know of that has acacia powder in the ingredients and for me I am sure this is the problem. I have got my gp to issue prescriptions with the note DO NOT DISPENSE TEVA BRAND which seems to have done the trick - I do really prefer to keep to one brand but not always possible with shortages we are we are experiencing on just about everything

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lesel]

Advanz (Mercury Pharma and Eltroxin) also contain acacia

List of different brands available in U.K. and ingredients

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

It’s likely the mannitol in Teva upsets many people

Though some people can’t tolerate acacia

[Peachandcream]

I had issues when taking Teva . It’s difficult getting the right brand. Best of luck. Don’t be fobbed off.