Liothyronine medication shortage?

[thyroidqueen12]

My usual brand Sigma Pharma is out of stock with the pharmacies suppliers, so they have sent me compound version for my prescription instead. They always send me 5mg but I am on a 7.5mg dose (in combination with 125mcg of levo) This compound substitution was approved by my current endocrinologist.

This was a bit of an idiot move by my endo, as I take 7.5mg of lio (1 and a half pills, which I cut with a pill cutter every morning) and this compound form of the medication is the type that is in powder inside a pill coating. I have called his office and emailed, but have only been told that they've notified my doctor and that he will respond when he has time?! I do not have any of my old Sigma Pharma medication left and need to start with this new one tomorrow morning. How do I split this medication so that I have my usual dose of 7.5mg?

I am scared to lower my dose to 5mg, as the last time I tried this I started feeling very unwell. I am not in a position with work to start getting sick or feeling different than before. Please help!!

Anyone else notice a shortage of Sigma Pharma? Is there a different pharmacy that I can still get it at?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Someone did say they had a problem with Sigmapharm a short time ago.

Do you get Sigmapharm for UK (and Ireland) or the USA product?

The UK (and Ireland) version is in my UK document. The USA version is in my Rest of the World document. You can tell by the markings if it isn't clear any other way. The USA packaging with have an NDC number on it. The other one will have a PL number.

The ingredient list is the same. But the pharmacy might not be aware and could find they though they cannot get one, the other could be available.

helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.

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

[thyroidqueen12 in reply to helvella]

It has an NDC number on it.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to thyroidqueen12]

I suspect that Sigmapharm are expecting UK pharmacies to order the UK (and Ireland) product. After all, they launched this new product for a reason!

Hence they might not be happy to supply the UK with USA product any longer.

Check with Wasdell Packaging who they use as distributors. And call round or visit the pharmacies in your area and ask if they can get hold of it.

(I doubt very much that any prescriber would have the slightest awareness of these issues!)

[Thyroid17]

I had my surgery place ‘tablets’ on my prescription so pharmacy cannot replace with ‘capsules’.

[Batty1]

Is the pill a capsule?

[thyroidqueen12 in reply to Batty1]

Yes. I've had to open 1 capsule this morning and split the powder. This is not sustainable though, and I have let my Endo know that I need an alternative solution.

[wightmouse]

Hi I picked up my repeat prescription yesterday and I had been given Sigmapharm 5mcg instead of my usual Morningside so I thought maybe Morningside out of stock?

This was from a Boots pharmacy. The info sheet says It is the Sigmapharm UK/ Ireland product manufacturer Wasdell packaging ltd.

They are tablets.

[thyroidqueen12 in reply to wightmouse]

Hi,

My endo has said that there is no point in going to any other pharmacy than Roseway labs (which is where I usually get my prescription from), as all other pharmacies charge 8-10 pounds A PILL for Sigmapharm Is this your experience tor is the price beter for you when going to boots?

[wightmouse in reply to thyroidqueen12]

I get mine on a NHS prescription

[Yostie]

For the second prescription running (2 months ago), today I cannot get Teva T3 from Tesco. Being told supplier only has AAH/AHH? But I'm not clear if this is a make, as also being told supplier won't tell them what make they can supply. Asked for Morningside and told didn't know what would turn up if order. Have to go back on Monday to try and sort out. Something is going on in the background re supply.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Yostie]

AAH is a distributor (hence being referred to as a supplier). They make nothing. I quite often see the AAH van delivering to Tesco (and other pharmacies).

helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.

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