Liothyronine supply

[Roulette26]

For those of us fortunate enough to have been prescribed lio, a word of warning.

I’ve now been waiting 3 weeks for my prescription to be filled by the hospital pharmacy, still on a trial. I’ve been told that there is a hold up at the ports, also that the fact that is an “unlicensed drug “? is slowing delivery.

anyone else experiencing problems? Is this normal?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Which product are you waiting for?

(Mind, I have just been told that a medicine I am prescribed - nothing to do with thyroid - will not be available until the end of October. Luckily, I managed to find one lot in one pharmacy, actually in stock. It usually takes a few days for other pharmacies to order in!)

[A2C3]

When my endocrinologist sent mine to Chemist4U it was with me within days, might just be the particular pharmacy?

[Roulette26 in reply to A2C3]

It was the local hospital pharmacy. You’d think they’d be able to source drugs quickly!

[Star13 in reply to Roulette26]

Which brand are you prescribed? Is it Thybon Henning?

[Roulette26 in reply to Star13]

Sigmapharm.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Roulette26]

Sigmapharm is not a UK brand, so has to be imported. That could well be the reason for the delay.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to RedApple]

Though it is now UK licensed! As of 17 December 2021 - and this is the approval document:

mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

And that might be why there is a problem.

The approved ones are in 5 and 20 microgram dosages.

The USA ones are in 5 and 25 microgram dosages.

The tablet markings are slightly different (different numbers).

5 microgram tablets

Σ 76

PL 50888-0001

products.mhra.gov.uk/search...

20 microgram tablets

Σ 73

PL 50888-0002

products.mhra.gov.uk/search...

License holder is SigmaPharm Laboratories International, Ltd., Dublin 2, Ireland.

Manufacturer/distributor is Wasdell Packaging Ltd Swindon Wiltshire.

Depending on the pharmacy, the exact way it has been prescribed, etc., there could be issues.

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.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/wfhrlmb5983co...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/11z...

[Roulette26 in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much for the information. In the past I’ve been issued with the 5mcg.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Roulette26]

The pharmacy might have problems getting the USA product now. And if they have not realised there is a UK licensed product, they could wait forever to get the USA product that is never going to arrive.

Similarly, I do not know if the UK licensed form is actually being distributed in quantity.

[Emma-louuse in reply to Roulette26]

I order mine privately, stocks are very low especially T3 that is no U.K. brand

[RedApple Administrator]

Roulette26 'the fact that is an “unlicensed drug “? is slowing delivery.'

Liothyronine is not an unlicensed medicine. But if you're prescribed a non-UK brand that has to be imported in for you, then that could be a reason for the delay.

[AuntieMandy]

I’ve been waiting for my local hospital pharmacy to dispense since the 3rd of May!!!!

[radd in reply to AuntieMandy]

AuntieMandy,

That is atrocious! Is this for thyroid hormone meds? Have you not followed up?

[AuntieMandy in reply to radd]

radd its for T3. I’m still waiting! Utterly disgraceful. Follows up several times. They say that they are waiting for it to be approved. The NHS specialist prescribed it .. that’s all the approval I need!! They have until mid September (when I return for hols ) and then I’m off to my local MP.

[Yeswithasmile]

I had my repeat only last week. Dropped at chemist on Saturday picked up Morningside on tuesday this week.

Can you not ask for the prescription back and take it to a chemist?

[Roulette26 in reply to Yeswithasmile]

It’s from the consultant to the in house pharmacy.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to Roulette26]

I always email my request and my endo sends me the prescription. Can you not email yours? Tell him to cancel the digital one with the hospital and send you a paper one? The delay is totally unsatisfactory and I fail to see how the consultant could refuse to help you.

[arTistapple]

And here I am worrying about supply direct (without prescription) from abroad!! I would have thought getting it directly through the NHS there would be a cinch after getting it prescribed.

[BrynGlas]

Me too, I stopped Levo when I got to feel better on T3. I have a ,life now.

[apelila]

You are likely going to have issues next time you order. There is a problem everywhere.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to apelila]

If you know of problems everywhere, it would be helpful for you to explain some more. Like what the problems are, why they are happening, anything else.

[Roulette26]

If you could PM me I’d be interested to have details of how and where you order in Greece. I have a standby supply I bought in Turkey, not disclosing that to the pharmacy, only issue is they’re 25’s, I’m on 10mcg twice a day.

[Roulette26]

Thanks for the info. Interesting to see the price, I think I paid the equivalent of £8 for 400 tiromel in turkey! Haven’t tried them yet so can’t comment on efficacy, however unless I’m planning a trip to turkey in the near future it’s obviously very convenient to have that website.

[Emma-louuse]

Where did you get your T3 from, I have mine in private prescription and there have been many delays

[Salslowthyroid]

Yes! I was thrilled to pick up my very first prescription for liothyronine 2 weeks ago for a 3 month trial. I am still waiting for it and the hospital pharmacy have given me no indication about delivery. I'm really worried that they will be a period without it after my next review.