Almus and Accord Levothyroxine

[Pollypet]

Hi

Having read through lots of previous info, it seems that Accord Levothyroxine is also dispensed under the Almus brand - repackaged for Boots. Does anyone know if these two brands are completely identical? I seem to feel better on Almus rather than Accord, but wondering if it’s psychological if they are the same! My GP pharmacy can’t guarantee which brand they will have in stock. I take 100 micrograms plus 25 on alternate days of Mercury Pharma ( can’t tolerate Teva)

Thanks

[RedApple Administrator]

Pollypet, They are one and the same thing. The difference is in the outer box only. If you check the blister packs that are inside the boxes, they will all be Accord.

[Partner20 in reply to RedApple]

Even more pertinent is to compare the formulation in the PIL.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Partner20]

As far as I am aware the PIL in the Almus box is the exact same PIL as in the Accord box, they don't print a differet PIL to go in the Almus box.

[Partner20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

This is precisely my point. The OIL in each box refers to the product inside, and the name of the licence holder/manufacturer will be in box, PIL and blister pack. There is so much confusion regarding names which distracts from the importance of checking the PIL. Due to the scaremongering about Teva there are many now refusing to take the Teva brand in any prescribed medication, regardless of the fact that the inactive ingredients which may cause a reaction in Teva levo are not present in the formulation of other products. Interestingly in this site Mercury/Advanz is recommended as being one of the best tolerated brands if levo. Considering its limited usage due to lack of dosage range this is a strange viewpoint, and, as acacia, one of its excipients, can cause reactions in many people, widely reported in many other groups, it does not seem to be a particularly wise recommendation. People who take any medication or supplement should be directed to all the information available including that in the PIL, rather than concentrate on just one element of the item in question. It is all there in front of us if we only look.

[tattybogle in reply to Partner20]

I'm pretty sure mercury do Levo 25 's 50 's and 100's partner 20 ?

I've been getting them on and off in various sizes(along with Accord and Wochhardt and Teva) for 20 yrs .. so i was surprised at your comment re. not often prescribed due to limited dosages ?

From what i've seen over the last couple of years on here, admin always correct anybody saying "all Teva procucts are naff etc ".. and point out that the issue with excipients in levo does not apply across all their other products.

They often point out that Teva Levo is actually preferred by some . So if some people are thinking all Teva products are best avoided , i really don't think it's fair to lay the blame for that here.

[revitalise in reply to Partner20]

Hi Partner20

Just read your post what is the scaremongering about Teva. As I have been using this brand since 1st diagnosed in June 2021.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to revitalise]

revitalise, There is no scaremongering here about Teva. What we do, is to warn people that Teva levothyroxine is badly tolerated by some thyroid patients due to the fact that it contains mannitol, which is known to cause problems in some people.

This is a proven fact, as experienced by many, many thyroid patients in France when German pharma company Merck changed their levothyroxine formulation to include mannitol, without warning, back in 2017. Here's an excerpt from one source about this:

'In March 2022, France's highest court, the Cour de Cassation, confirmed a 2020 Lyon appeal court ruling ordering Merck to pay 1,000 euros ($982.30) each to compensate more than 3,300 people suffering from thyroid problems in France after it changed the formula of the drug in 2017.' reuters.com/business/health...

Having said this, we do try to emphasise that Teva levo is not a problem for everyone. There are plenty of people who are just fine on Teva levothyroxine, and some members have reported that it's the formulation that actually works best for them. If it was bad for everyone, Teva would have been forced to stop manufacturing it long ago.

So if you are taking Teva levothyroxine and feel fine, there is absolutely no need at all to be concerned. 😊

Partner20

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Partner20]

Partner20,

Confusion surrounding names and products was one of the main drivers behind my own action in creating a medicines document.

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.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Over the years, there have been some spectacularly confusing situations, especially regarding own-label suppliers.

Checking Patient Information Leaflets has a major problem, though.

You cannot expect to open a packet at the counter or nearby, check the leaflet, and hand it back if you are not happy.

The Manufacturing Authorisation/License number is always visible on the card outer or label - without opening anything. If two products have exactly the same PL number, they are the exact same product.

Make a note of the PL numbers that you want, or you want to avoid, before picking up your medicine. Then it is usually easy to check - asking the pharmacy assistant, if needed.

I have attached a photo of the relevant bit of a Wockhardt 25 microgram levothyroxine box. For this product, that is on the back of the pack - but this information is often along one of the long edges.

And my document links to the Patient Information Leaflets of all UK levothyroxine and liothyronine products.

(I'll not identify the specific confusions because doing so might spread them further!)

Product Licence on Wockhardt levothyroxine card