Everytime I get a new prescription of thyroxine the brand is different (all from the same pharmacy), as I’ve recently changed my dose, it means this month I’ve been given four different brands! It’s not something I’ve queried before but I’m sure I’ve now seen posts here recommending sticking to the same brand.
In which case, how can I ensure that happens? And what brand suits most people best.
(The 25mcg I took this morning are completely different from any I’ve had before, I dropped one on the floor and it disintegrated when I picked it up, usually they would stay solid so goodness knows how different that formula is to others!)
Thanks everyone.
Written by
Spangle15
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Your GP can specify the brand on your prescriptions and the pharmacy should have it logged on their computer so you aren’t issued different brands in the future.
The best brand is the one that suits you, we are all different so only you can decide on that one.
If you need to take a 25mcg and the brand doesn’t make a 25 then just split a 50 in half, this is what I do as Accord which is one I take only make 100 & 50s.
I've found Accord suits me best, two others I've tried didn't suit me, I now get it named on my prescriptions. I think I've read Mercury and Accord are widely available and most easily tolerated. A lot of people don't get on with Teva, but if you're lactose intolerant then it's the best brand as its lactose free.
My medicines document shows you all the available products in the UK.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.
Glenmark is new to the UK market, and we are only just starting to see mentions of it in posts.
When I first started taking levothyroxine, I tried to believe that I wouldn't notice any differences. Within a few months, I was certain it did make a difference.
The best first step would be to see how you get on with what you have got.
Then ask the pharmacy if they will make a note for you to have whichever you find best.
Only if that fails, ask your GP to prescribe by brand. (It can be a problem if a make is in short supply, for example.)
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.
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).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
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