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?
Teva Issues: I’ve been issued Teva Levothyroxine... - Thyroid UK
Teva Issues
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).
I’ve always had Actavis. Thank you for such a wealth of information. I shall read all tomorrow 🙏 Changed about 8 weeks ago.
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
catnaps49 also put in yellow card, if not done so yet
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.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
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
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
I had issues when taking Teva . It’s difficult getting the right brand. Best of luck. Don’t be fobbed off.