Change of levothyroxine brand : I am on the brand... - Thyroid UK

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Change of levothyroxine brand

NaomiMay profile image
14 Replies

I am on the brand Accord for my levothyroxine and I have found they work for me. I have had Teva in the past and know that it makes me feel sluggish and off.

So I've been sent Teva this month and my heart has dropped! I guess my question is how have people dealt with this, do you contact pharmacy or doctors directly and explain? Have you found they listen and take you seriously? I'm dreading having to sort this out on Monday and hope they take my concerns seriously.

Thanks for any insight!!

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NaomiMay profile image
NaomiMay
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14 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

My GP states Accord on my script and Boots have it on their system that I'm only to be given that brand, never had a problem getting it.

Chriskisby profile image
Chriskisby in reply to bantam12

Me too! I have Mercury Pharma (Teva was dreadful!) from Boots too. They are the only ones to reliably get it for me.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

NaomiMay

If your prescription states "Accord only" or "Not Teva" then the pharmacy have made a mistake and you have every right to take it back and get your usual brand.

If nothing is stated on your prescription, and your pharmacy doesn't have a note to only dispense Accord then they will dispense what is available.

If you know you don't get on with Teva you should either ask your GP to stipulate your preferred brand on the prescription, or put "Not Teva" or ask the pharmacy to make a note of this (my pharmacy has a note to only dispense Accord brand).

fuchsia-pink profile image
fuchsia-pink

If you have a good relationship with the pharmacist, talk to them. Also "yellow card" the Teva and either have "not Teva"or "Accord" put on the prescription itself. Then ALWAYS check you have been given the right brand before leaving the pharmacist as they may still try and give you Teva :)

And get a new prescription on Monday ...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

Be aware that if you need to stick to Accord, you also need to ensure your prescriptions are written for 100 or 50 micrograms and multiples. Accord do not make a 25 microgram levothyroxine tablet.

NaomiMay profile image
NaomiMay

Wow, thank you for these response, very informative!! Feel a lot more confident sorting this out Monday 🙂

elwins profile image
elwins

Boots have no Teva written on my records, she always checks it in front of me to make sure it is correct, you just need the right system in place. It can be done.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

When I first tried Teva I liked it then I had it and it knocked me out so I left packets in my drawer but lately I started using it as I wanted to increase my dose and it’s ok. Many like it so perhaps our bodies can get used to it. But I don’t disagree - it’s different to the rest. Doc may be kind enough to give you another prescription this one time.

Summer64 profile image
Summer64

I found I didn't do so well on Wockhardt and this was proven by blood tests so now I have Mercury Pharma written on my prescription but I always have to check when collecting as the pharmacists often don't bother and I get given something else.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Government guidelines that many patients do notice difference between brands and then should be prescribed particular brand

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.

Always check the bag before leaving the counter at pharmacy

NaomiMay profile image
NaomiMay in reply to SlowDragon

This is brilliant, thank you so much!!

CoeliacMum1 profile image
CoeliacMum1

So I’ve just had similar problem I had my annual review and asked if I could try a non lactose free brand of levothyroxine next, as I’m not aware I’m lactose intolerant and keep getting lactose free medication and that my tablets after keeping a diary of symptoms on both Aristo & Tevo were giving me problems.Our practice pharmacist does our reviews and is far more up to date on medication than GP is and put Mercury down for me and is on my script as preferred brand.

I picked up new script last week, Tevo again was in my package, I opened in pharmacy to check before leaving so they could see and said there and then they’d given me the wrong item, immediately they tried to rectify it, and have been excellent in most of my queries as I have 2 other drugs with “proper” brands not cheaper parallel imports.

They had to get some in next day but couldn’t however get Mercury, and I’m 7 days in on Almus after agreeing to try this brand as never had it before.

I’m just noting any differences for future reference.

So your Dr or practice pharmacist if you have one at your surgery, ours have additionally taken courses to alter medication and do follow ups on bloods, urine tests, this is not usually the regular pharmacist at the pharmacy.

We all are different with these brands so get the one that suits you.

There recently has been some literature put out that if they cannot give you the one you want if you’re not feeling your best on it, they should give you liquid version without these additives which many of us struggle with.

That’s more expensive and they would much prefer to oblige with the brand you desire, however if your regular pharmacy cannot provide you with it, get your script and go elsewhere would be my advice and what I’d do.

Good luck

My prescription states TEVA brand (lactose free) and I have never received this and I get a different brand containing lactose each prescription. I have never put two and two together and realised that this could be the reason why I feel so rubbish some months and not others! I think a chat to my GP is in order. Can it also affect depression levels?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

See how to write prescriptions for specific makes of levothyroxine here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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