TEVA - STOMACH PAIN : Hi. 3 days ago i started... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,730 members161,517 posts

TEVA - STOMACH PAIN

Mividauk2 profile image
10 Replies

Hi.

3 days ago i started Teva, As soon as I eat my breakfast this weird type of stomach cramp comes in and stays there the whole day. On and off.

At first I though it was just that day but happened again the next day and the next day after that.

It starts as soon as I eat my breakfast.

Been drinking activated charcoal diluted in water to easy the pain which really works. No one wants to have a bad sleep.

Will have to report the side effects to the Yellow card scheme and talk to my gp.

Written by
Mividauk2 profile image
Mividauk2
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Which brand of levothyroxine were you previously taking

How much levothyroxine are you prescribed

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

 Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Aristo (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free. May 

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

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

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets 

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord  doesn’t make 25mcg tablets

beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

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

Posts that mention Teva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Government guidelines for GP in support of patients 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. 

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).

Netherlands (and Germany?) guidelines are for thyroid patients to always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

crimple profile image
crimple

Mividauk2, Teva also contains acacia powder. When I was given Teva I had very severe stomach upsets as though i had some kind of bug but it only affected my stomach not my bowels. I have a number of food intolerances and my prescription states NO TEVA. I also steer clear of acacia honey. I am fine with Actavis/ Almus levo. I put in a yellow card thanks to advice from here. Dont take any nonsense from pharmacies that all levo is the same. They are mostly looking at their profit margins!

Mividauk2 profile image
Mividauk2 in reply to crimple

Today I got the stomach pain without having nay food yet. 😩 I am.ringing the gp surgery tomorrow definitely..horrendous pain.

Thyroid_Mess profile image
Thyroid_Mess in reply to Mividauk2

hey there, I am having the same issue. I get terrible abdomen pain from the right side. Alot of gasses aswell and it makes me feel unwell. Been on teva 25mcg and it all began... what did your gp do to help you?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Thyroid_Mess

Thyroid_Mess, Mividauk2 and anyone else who has issues with any UK medicine,

Please put in Yellow Card reports:

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Mividauk2 profile image
Mividauk2 in reply to helvella

Already done that and told GP. I am no longer on TEVA , stomach pain went away after switch medicines. 🔥😁

Mividauk2 profile image
Mividauk2 in reply to Thyroid_Mess

He put no TEVA on the prescription and I check before i leave the pharmacy if is the right medicine .

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Mividauk2

Also have to avoid Northstar 25 microgram tablets - which are Teva packaged for Northstar.

Thyroid_Mess profile image
Thyroid_Mess in reply to Mividauk2

great news! Im now on new medication and its abit better.. lets see how it goes

Mividauk2 profile image
Mividauk2 in reply to Thyroid_Mess

Fab!

You may also like...

Stomach issues on Teva Liothyronine

Has anyone experienced stomach issues with Teva Liothyronine? My 18 year old daughter, who has...

Stomach and chest pain

About 2 years ago after drinking I woke up the following day with a sore stomach that's never went...

Stomach pains and bloating

intermittent stomach pains, bloating and nausea. I am taking 100mcg Accord and 25mcg Teva. I...

Stomach pains while taking Thyroxine

months split twice a day.. in that time I have had bloating and stomach cramps. At present I am...

Stomach pain

The last few days I haven’t really ate properly as in just not getting hungry. I never sleep on my...