Constantly changing brands of Levothyroxine

[Popeye44]

Hi, I was diagnosed hypo in July 2021. I order my prescriptions via Patient Access app and the GP approves and forwards a 56 day prescription to my nominated pharmacy. After my first prescription (not sure what it was but began with an A) the brand changed to Wockhardt for 3 months. It was only 25mcg and I wasn't well. I had a bit of a battle getting it increased but got there 2 months ago so had 2 months of Mercury Pharma. My new prescription is Teva. I asked on my prescription request for Mercury for continuity of brand. The pharmacist says they only get what is sent to them. Who decides what brand the pharmacy should have? I'm dreading going downhill again because I have felt so well for the past couple of months. I'm due another blood test in 3 weeks but surely this change is going to affect the result too?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Popeye44

Who decides what brand the pharmacy should have?

I believe whoever their supplier is just sends whatever they have or is the cheapest at the time.

After my first prescription (not sure what it was but began with an A) the brand changed to Wockhardt for 3 months. It was only 25mcg and I wasn't well.

25mcg tablets are only available in the following brands:

Advanz - branded as Mercury Pharma Levothyroxin and Eltroxin

Glenmark

Northstar (made by Teva)

Teva

Wockhardt

After a change of brand we should be retested 6-8 weeks later. Does your GP really want to be committed to doing that each time your brand changes?

The MHRA has issued advice for patients who experience symptoms on switching between different levothyroxine products:

pharmacymagazine.co.uk/clin...

I have the brand I want recorded on my file at the pharmacy and I get it every time. This goes back to when an endo prescribed the old Goldshield Eltroxin and it was named on my prescription. When this stopped production the pharmacist asked me if I was willing to try Actavis (now Accord) and I was fine on that so that is now named as the brand I should be dispensed. However, mine is a very small pharmacy in a very small rural area so it may be that this is their usual brand anyway.

[Popeye44 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Seaside Susie. I had a word with the pharmacist and he said they just get whatever comes in their delivery. Guess I will have to see what happens on Teva.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

Teva brand upsets many people

Yes changing brand before retest could upset results

Request a new 50mcg prescription from GP and ring around all local pharmacies until you find one that has Mercury Pharma brand in stock

Going forward

If you have issues changing brand GP should add note to all future prescriptions

“Brand xxxx only “

Or

“No Teva brand”

[Popeye44 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon. It's really difficult to get any GP to do anything - you never get the same Dr twice! There are 8 pharmacies in my town. I think I will " interview " them all to see who will be the most consistent.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Popeye44]

Print out government guidelines here and ask GP to follow these guidelines by adding note to all future prescriptions

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.

[Popeye44 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks.