Levothyroxine

[liz1946]

Am I the only person who can't seem to get the brand of Levothyroxine that suits me. I seem to get on fine with mercury Pharma 100mc but cannot tolerate Teva and accord. I'm told I have to have what they send from.the supplier, please someone advise me I'm 77 years old with Hashimoto and am getting very stressed as to what I should do.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would speak to tryout GP liz1946 and ask them to add a note to your prescription. Mine says ‘No Teva brand. Almus or Accord only’

[liz1946 in reply to Buddy195]

I have spoke to the surgery and the pharmacist has said she will put Mercury Pharma on my prescription, but I'm told they have to have what is sent. Its becoming a nightmare!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to liz1946]

that’s incorrect

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.

prescription does need to be written in certain way to guarantee same brand at each prescription

Small independent pharmacies are often more helpful

How to specify brand of levothyroxine

[HealthStarDust]

GP needs to specify the brand when creating their prescription. It can’t just be on notes.

[1tuppence]

You have my empathy. I've had quite a time realising I cannot tolerate other brands and need MercuryPharma, MercuryPharma and Eltroxin are the same, and now my prescription reads Eltroxin only, as it seems easier for the pharmacy to obtain than MercuryPharma......and No, I don't understand why that should be My local pharmacy have been fully informed by my surgery, it is written on my prescription...and yet from time to time they try to deliver other brands. Hmmm I've cottoned on to this and become wiser. As soon as my prescription is delivered I check it, and when necessary return the wrong brand with the driver. The last few times Eltroxin has been delivered, but I shall still check each one :-). Wishing you similar fortune.... I do understand how frustrating all of this can be.

[liz1946 in reply to 1tuppence]

Thank you so much, I feel I'm not on my own with this problem, I have been on thyroxine for 17 years and this problem seems to be recent. I will try phoning round different pharmacy's. Much appreciate your reply.

[1tuppence in reply to liz1946]

Yes, getting MercuryPharma seems to be a fairly recent problem. It was the brand I'd had from the beginning and it suited me. Until Covid it was the brand I received. Afterwards it took some time for it to register with me that I was being sent differing brands and they were negatively affecting me and my well-being. I do hope you get what you need. Remember MercuryPharma and Eltroxin are the same, made by the same company, and the only difference is the packaging..... if it proves difficult to regularly get MP, perhaps consider asking your GP to change the nominated levothyroxine on your prescription?

[Hidden]

If you ring / go in and speak to your pharmacist and let them know that you want that specific brand, they can order it in for you. Might have better luck with a smaller pharmacy where customer service is better and they’re willing to do a bit of extra organization for you.