Roma Pharmaceuticals Liothyronine Capsules

[Ireness]

My GP wants to transfer me to these capsules as they’re cheaper. .

Has anyone heard of them?

I’m not keen on transferring due to the additives in them but don’t know if I’ll have a choice.

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes….increasingly common

They are lactose free, so some people prefer

How much T3 are you currently taking

Do you take as single dose or as split dose spread through the day

Capsules can NOT be split

And if need multiple capsules it is unlikely cheaper

Post here discussing costs etc

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi. Thanks for replying.

I take 20mcg and split the dose.

I’m concerned about the E572 and gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171) and yellow iron oxide (E172).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

do you currently split as 2 x 10mcg or do you split as 3 small doses

Either way it’s NOT cheaper to have Roma capsules

Suggest you email GP and explain coatings

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Teva, Mercury Pharma or Morningside 20mcg

Current price NHS paying

20mcg T3 tablets is £56.19 per 28 tablets

You’re taking one per day

If they prescribe you capsules you will need

2 x 10mcg capsules = 2 x £65 = £130 per 28 days

Or

4 x 5mcg capsules = 4 x £55 = £220 per 28 days

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve got the 20mcg tablets which I split myself which isn’t easy. I did ask for a prescription for 10mcg ones but the GP won’t change the endocrinologist’s prescription (the endo won’t change it either).

I’ve asked for Teva for the T3 and Levothyroxine to try and keep them the same but got MercuryPharma T3 this time.

I’ve spoken to the pharmacist and explained I’m not happy with the additives but she said she doesn’t think I can refuse the Roma T3.

I told her the titanium dioxide has been banned in Europe and can cause cancer so I’m not happy to take it. The other additives are bad too.

I spend a fortune on supplements which haven’t got bad additives in so why would I want to take them in my meds on a daily basis? It’s false economy and in my opinion Roma should be ashamed of themselves producing such a vile alternative.

I’m so mad with the GP at the moment as they’re still trying to reduce my meds (which are in range).

In September my cardiologist said I’m not overmedicated and he said as there’s no other reason for my heart failure it’s more than likely due to not being medicated and my heart beating too fast for too many years. That’s what I thought anyway.

So, now this latest plan to change meds has really annoyed me.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

You absolutely can refuse the capsules because your endocrinologist has instructed you to take 20mcg per day as 2 x 10mcg dose (cutting tablets in half )

So pharmacist would have to supply 2 x 10mcg capsules per day …..therefore costing NHS and increase of £73.81 EXTRA per 28 days

Clearly ludicrous

There are 10mcg tablets but they are extremely expensive at £152.44 per 28 tablets

So 2 x 10mcg tablets would be £304.88 per 28 days

(only currently one supplier, Morningside healthcare, and not lactose free)

[Partner20 in reply to Ireness]

Regarding the EU ban on E171, titanium oxide, this currently refers only to food and cosmetic products, not medications.

[Ireness]

Unfortunately my endo has told me to take 20mcg once a day.

I changed it to twice a day after following advice on here. It seems to be working much better too.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The Patient Information Leaflet says:

If you have difficulty swallowing a whole capsule, empty the contents of a capsule into a minimum of 20 ml of water. Stir and drink the whole liquid to ensure you take the full dose. It is possible to do this with Liothyronine because this substance is soluble in water.

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

If you wish, you can avoid the titanium dioxide, the yellow iron oxide, the gelatin, by following the above.

You cannot avoid magnesium stearate. Whether you take a capsule or a tablet.

[Ireness]

Thanks. If worst comes to worst I’ll have to do that.

[TaraJR]

They're only prescribing capsules on cost grounds. Trying to save every penny. But the 20mcg tablets are only £1 cheaper than the 20mcg capsules. They probably think the tablets are still an extortionate price, as they don't keep up with the national formulary prices.

Often it's the ICBs that dictate this. Ludicrous.

[Ireness]

It is ludicrous that they’re giving patients tablets that can possibly cause cancer. There’s no money saving cost there unless the patient dies quickly.

Looking at the tablets they’ve also got additives that I’d rather not have too. I’ve been researching and spending a fortune on supplements that don’t have additives and yet I’m putting rubbish in my body every day with prescribed meds.

My GP is going to phone me to discuss it in a couple of weeks. I don’t hold out much hope.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

Suggest you email/write to GP pre phone consultation with all current prices listed above

Explain you cut your 20mcg tablet as 2 x 10mcg

20mcg capsules would not be easy to split and is only £1 less than tablets

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks. That’s a really good idea so I’ll do that.

I’ve been looking at my heart medications today and they’re full of those awful additives. I’m pretty horrified.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

important to take any other medications at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve been taking Candesartan at the same time as the thyroid meds and Dapagliflozin at night. I’m due to start Eplenerone too. I’ll change the Candesartan to lunch time. Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

levothyroxine is extremely fussy hormone

always take on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Levothyroxine Must be minimum 2 hours away from all other medications and supplements

Some like magnesium, vitamin D tablets or gels, iron, calcium or HRT at least 4 hours away

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I’ve been doing that with the supplements but it’s just the Candesartan I’ve taken with it.

I feel like my whole day is taken up with timing tablets at the moment. I wish I didn’t have to take them.

[SalsHealth in reply to SlowDragon]

A bit of a late comment/question, I'm afraid, but am just wondering why they add iron oxide to the capsules if the liothyronine within is supposed to be taken away from iron supplements? I suppose the quantities are very low...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SalsHealth]

It is a tiny amount used so that the three different dosages have different coloured capsules. Probably less of an issue than some of the dyes and pigments used in other capsules and tablets!

The Patient Information Leaflet explains that you can open the capsules and take the contains mixed with water. That would avoid the capsules entirely.