Teva adverse reaction

[Janetcat]

Same here. Cluster headaches & felt very ill. Reported but still get prescribed Teva by local pharmacies who state they can’t get alternatives. I have joined pharmacy 2u in the hope I can get Wockhardt & Mercury Pharma. Also, if you change brand your Dr. should be consulted too, info I found on Government website. The pharmacies are not very understanding & seem to be unaware of the adverse reactions. The prescription seem to be generic, which is why any brand is given, despite my record stating no Teva. It’s a weary battle every two months.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP should add note to all future prescriptions

“No Teva”

Refuse to accept Teva brand

Frequently necessary to take prescription to different pharmacies to get brand levothyroxine you require

Small independent pharmacies are often much more helpful

GP could add note “Mercury Pharma (Advanz) brand only”

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Wockhardt only make 25mcg tablets

[Janetcat in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Teva seems to be only brand in town! I’m hoping Pharmacy2u will supply as asked Drs. to put down specific brand. Wockhardt seems to be hardest to obtain and easiest to manage symptoms. With so many adverse reactions to Teva wonder why it has not been reviewed?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Janetcat]

Do bear in mind that a number of patients say it is the best levothyroxine they have ever had.

The issue needs to be investigated in order to find out why. And then ensure that patients get a formulation that works for them - without side effects.

Please ensure you put in a Yellow Card report - details in Pinned Posts.

[Janetcat in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella did that a couple of years ago and it is on record . Assuming TEVA is the cheapest and that is why it’s given everywhere. The continual changing of brand names is misleading too. Thanks for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Janetcat]

You may need to go further afield to try different small independent pharmacy. Ring around to see who can supply

Large chain pharmacies often limited on their suppliers

Personally I go 10 miles to helpful pharmacy

If GP writes “Mercury Pharma brand only” on all future prescriptions then online pharmacies might/should comply

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

My Vade Mecum has information about identifying pharmacies in all four nations of the UK. More effective than using general search engines like DuckDuckGo or Google.

helvella - Vade Mecum for Thyroid

The term vade mecum means:

1. A referential book such as a handbook or manual.

2. A useful object, constantly carried on one’s person.

Please don't get put off by the number of pages!

Not everything is in this one document - my major medicines document is still separate!

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/vp5ct1cwc03bl...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/1ZW...

[Janetcat in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. New meds. arrived - all Teva. Managed eventually to hunt down Mercury Pharma which I will cut in half. Not listed at GP practice but is what I normally get from independent pharmacy - apparently made in NZ.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Janetcat]

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg

Mercury Pharma tablets are made in Hove East Sussex …….. not New Zealand!

Look on the PIL leaflet

Pharmacies will spout any rubbish as an excuse to not supply brand required

Request/insist that GP add note to all future prescriptions

Either stating the actual brand requirement eg Mercury Pharma or note saying “No Teva”

[TaraJR]

Quote the government's own MHRA site on sticking to one brand. They can't argue with the MHRA surely?!

assets.publishing.service.g...

[Janetcat in reply to TaraJR]

They seem to be unaware. Thyroid conditions seem to be one of the most misunderstood.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Janetcat]

Print out copy of the Gov guidelines and be ready to show it to any unhelpful GP/endo/pharmacy

[Janetcat in reply to SlowDragon]

👍

[TaraJR]

Yes they are probably unaware. That's why we recommend printing a copy of the Govt MHRA guideline (link above). Then you can show dr, nurse, endo, pharmacist.

[Janetcat in reply to TaraJR]

👍