Aristo Vencamil levothyroxine (100 microgram)

[helvella]

Information directly from Aristo in the UK:

This is Aristo’s branded version of levothyroxine 100mcg

It is now approved and manufactured. Its arriving in UK in a week’s time and will be in all major wholesalers immediately, by the time it filters through supply chain to local pharmacy level it will be mid-February.

The product is named Vencamil and its unique pharmacy identifier PIP code is 423-2757.

[ PIP code for non-branded product is 123-4418 ]

It’s exactly the same formulation of the generic version currently available but, by applying a brand name allows health care professionals to prescribe by brand and ensure this is the product dispensed in pharmacy every time (should they wish).

Inevitably, the various systems (GP surgery systems, British National Formulary, etc.) will take some time to include this.

[Hedgeree]

Thanks helvella!

That's really good to know.

My pharmacy is out of action for a while after a fire! So will be trying to find another one that can prescribe Aristo as my pharmacist was brilliant so hopefully this will make it easier?

As I have to request my prescription from the surgery again due to my pharmacy being out of action will it be too soon to request them state Vencamil on it?

Thanks again.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hedgeree]

Yes - too soon. I think the best we can hope is Valentine's!

Have just edited my post to include the PIP code for the unbranded version.

[Hedgeree in reply to helvella]

Ok thanks. I'll have to start ringing around again 😐

[JGBH]

Thank you for the information. Is it a ‘better’ brand of levothyroxine? If so in what aspect?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to JGBH]

I don't go along with the idea of "better" because that somehow encourages people to change to the "most-better" product(s) - even if they are doing just fine on what they are currently getting.

What's best for you could be worst for me or someone else.

The Aristo levothyroxine and Vencamil products have the specific advantages of containing neither lactose nor mannitol - nor acacia. Thus they offer an alternative lactose-free to Teva, for example.

[JGBH in reply to helvella]

Thank you… you have answered my question perfectly! That is good to know. I definitely can’t cope with Teva…

Shall be off the forum for a few days (weeks?) because I am going to have a hip replacement operation on 1st February… Dreading it because my RA will flare up and make the recovery more painful and longer, but… it needs to be done.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to JGBH]

Hope you cope better than you fear!

Let us know when you are back (of course).

[JGBH in reply to helvella]

Thank you… I will.

[TiggerMe]

Oh no 😆 another excuse to antagonise my surgery pharmacist 😂 my next script due mid March so I best get the ball rolling now, at the moment it just states Aristo

Sensible or asking for trouble? At the moment getting Aristo isn't a problem will this muddy the water if I specify?

[TiggerMe]

I see that without a fight it has been added to my script 👏👏

They even added it to an old 50mcg so still a bunch of hee-haws 🙄 unless Aristo have added 50mcg? I shan't correct as it might come in handy if they ever do 😏

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TiggerMe]

I wasn't going to say anything for now, not that it is a secret, but I didn't want to confuse anyone. Aristo will be adding 25, 50 and 75. In both branded and unbranded forms. The approvals are in process but we will not being seeing them for many months - maybe year-end?

[TiggerMe in reply to helvella]

I had a feeling it had been mentioned that they were going to extend the range, which is great news

Why the need for branded and unbranded?