Difficulty getting Liothyronine without Acacia

[Cat___]

I'm currently having difficulty finding a pharmacy than can source a Liothyronine brand that does not contain Acacia, to which I have had a bad reaction recently. The two suitable brands being Roma or SigmaPharm (5mcg). No one can get SigmaPharm and there seems to be no supply of Roma. No has said that it's an issue with price, just that there is no supply. My GP pharmacy have tried also and say the same thing. Has anyone been able to get one of these brands at any of the major pharmacies, e.g. tesco, boots, superdrug? Otherwise, I have just been told to ask my Endo for advice.

[helvella Administrator]

SigmaPharm is being distributed as Viatris.

I'd call Viatris and Roma, even Wasdell (who appear to import the SigmaPharm).

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...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Teva T3 is also acacia free

20mcg tablets only

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

[jgelliss in reply to SlowDragon]

Great post SD. Thank you. As I see it we are having less and less choices with our thyroid meds. What are they thinking???? Is Teva 20 mcg the only increment that is Acacia free?

[crimple]

Cat___ I too have issues with acacia powder. At first I was on Accord Levo but have swapped to Vencamil, due to potency issues (have sent yellow card to MHRA) When I was allowed to add in T3 some 3 years ago I had been treating myself with Thybon Henning 20 mcg, cut in quarters. I seem to recall that it can be bought with a private prescription perhaps @helvella can advise on that. (Roseway Pharmacy rings a bell)

I have been taking Sigma Pharma Liothyronine which comes as 5mcgm tabs and have been OK with that. My scrips go direct to Springfield Pharmacy in Richmond on Thames and meds are sent in the post. Has worked well for me so far.🤗🤗

[sparkly in reply to crimple]

Hi, if you don't mind me asking what reaction you have with acacia please?I'm wondering if my tongue swelling could be due to reaction to acacia. Had issues many years ago with fillers on thyroxine but never found out what filler it was.

I also use springfield pharmacy to guarantee Morningside brand..doing good on brand apart from swelling of tongue

[crimple in reply to sparkly]

sparkly, when taking TEVA levo back in 2012 I thought I was developing a stomach ulcer. Constant griping/ stomach pains. Once on Accord the problem went away. I would say a swelling tongue is a classic feature of an allergy/ intolerance.I think morningside has acacia, not sure but I know when I started T3 sig Pharma seemed least likely to cause issues and Thybon H I was also ok with but not so easy to get even though it’s way cheaper than SP. NHS is good at wasting money!

[sparkly in reply to crimple]

Thanks for all the info. I've felt great on Morningside for over a year apart from tongue issue. With having issue with fillers in t4 in the past and tongue swelling it's got to be this. Good to know I have options I've got some uni pharma t3 left so going to take that for a few days and see. If tongue swelling resolves I know definitely fillers again.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

I've not had any problem getting 5mcg Roma capsules but I do use an independent pharmacy as they are more inclined to get in what you need, I used to find the big chains and my surgery only supply from a more limited range from the main distributors 🤷‍♀️

[DJP1]

I have just received in the post Roma Liothyronine 5mcg capsules ordered from Boots online pharmacy.

[Cat___ in reply to DJP1]

Thanks DJP1. Did you have to have it stated on your prescription that is should be Roma brand lio 5mcg capsules? My GP just put a Lio brand that doesn't contain Acacia on the prescription and Boots sent me Morningside, which does and is the one I've just had a reaction to. Another pharmacist told me they couldn't dispense capsules if it said tablets on the prescription.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Cat___]

Usually, they cannot dispense tablets if it says capsules, or vice versa.

Roma are the only liothyronine capsules in the UK.

[sparkly]

Hi, do you mind me asking what reaction you get from acacia please? Trying to working out if this is reason for my tongue swelling on Morningside brand