Reaction to Wockhardt Levrothyroxine

[Shaldon]

Has anyone else had any reaction to these tablets? I have had them in the past and at that time I noticed my scalp went sore and irritated as it does when I take Teva levrothyroxine but that time I put it down to other things as the filler is lactose which I am okay with.

This time round I had the sore scalp, then my hands by my first finger joints started swelling, then aching and it was a struggle to lift my arms up to wash my hair. It was then that I had my lightbulb moment that the only thing different was taking Wockhardt Levrothyroxine.

I took a dose of Mecury Pharma last night and woke up feeling better, more energy and no swollen and achy hands.

The only difference of ingredients is that Wockhardt has Sucrose in it.

Thank you for any information

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Request GP add note to all future prescriptions. Mercury Pharma or Eltroxin brand by Advanz only

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

Eltroxin is identical

Both are frequently listed on pharmacy database as Advanz rather than as Mercury Pharma

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

New guidelines for GP if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands 

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. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

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).

[Shaldon in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your information. It's interesting that GP guidelines have changed as when I had similar problems with Teva all the GP said was you have been on levrothyroxine without any problems so it's not the levrothyroxine. Fortunately I have a very understanding pharmacist

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shaldon]

Government issued these guidelines as so many Medics and pharmacies continued to deny that many patients can’t change brand

Handy to have a copy printed out ready to give to any bolshy GP or pharmacist

[Gingernut44 in reply to Shaldon]

Well, your GP is right in one sense - it’s not the Levothyroxine (the active ingredient) that’s causing you problems but he is ignorant to the fact that different brands have different fillers. You could point out that fact next time you speak to your GP.

[helvella Administrator]

Please consider putting in a Yellow Card report:

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Shaldon in reply to helvella]

done