Changing levothyroxine brand: I have just come... - Thyroid UK

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Changing levothyroxine brand

Mollyfan profile image
3 Replies

I have just come across this article looking at the effect on TSH of changing brand of levothyroxine. This confirms what a lot of us thought…. They are not necessarily bio equivalent. Just taken 6 days of accord 100mcg rather than Mercury and feel terrible!

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

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Mollyfan
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

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

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.

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).

List of different brands available in U.K.

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

Mollyfan profile image
Mollyfan in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks….. I thought the article above was interesting as it clearly demonstrated a change in TSHwhen the brand was switched in air of patients. It is great that this is being more widely recognised, although a lot of pharmacists do not seem to be aware.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mollyfan

Government guidelines are new

Perhaps issued in part because many medics and pharmacists continue to ridicule patients for suggesting different brands are incompatible …….despite overwhelming evidence that patients are correct

I would recommend keeping a printed copy of guidelines to hand to support your case…..

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