Change of brand of Levothyroxine, Should I be w... - Thyroid UK

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Change of brand of Levothyroxine, Should I be worried.

Sunflower535 profile image
11 Replies

I picked up my prescription today from my Pharmacy and after being on Mercury Pharma since the summer when I first started it, now they have given me the brand accord.

I have been feeling better than I have for years, back to my old self again.

Should I be worried now that the brand has been changed. They say they give out what they have so I don't think I have an option to change. I didn't ask.

Any views on this. Will accord do the same job as mercury pharma?

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Sunflower535
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11 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

You may well be fine but you won't know for a few weeks yet.

If you prefer having the same brand you can get your GP to write it in the first line of your prescription - see image.

Named brand prescription
Sunflower535 profile image
Sunflower535 in reply toJaydee1507

Thanks Jaydee - I will see how I go. I still have some Mercury Pharma left so might alternate them as I start the new tablets. I appreciate your reply and will think about your suggestion of asking the GP to specify the brand - but I don't know if that will work with the Chemist as they might not have that particular brand in stock. I just hope I don't notice any difference. Thanks again.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toSunflower535

If they dont have the brand your prescription specifies then they just need to order it in.

EclipseMoon profile image
EclipseMoon

I’ve been taking Levo since September and my pharmacy has changed my brand 3 times, I thankfully haven’t noticed any difference, but it is worrying they say they can’t guarantee being able to give me the same brand each time

Sunflower535 profile image
Sunflower535 in reply toEclipseMoon

Thank you - that gives me some assurance. I have been feeling so well - better than I have for years - that I don't want anything to disrupt that! I appreciate you taking time to reply.

HotelHurricaine profile image
HotelHurricaine

I have never noticed a difference either, but some people do. I've been on levo for 13 years, and seem to change brand all the time.

Sunflower535 profile image
Sunflower535 in reply toHotelHurricaine

That is so reassuring - thank you. I know I have read on here that others have problems with different brands. Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated. I hope that I won't have any problems either.

Oh my goodness I would run for the hills. This is the same thing that happened to me about 9 months ago and I have been extremely ill all that time, with stomach upset, dizziness, constant peeing, loss of appetite and weight loss (not in a good way) and more and just a general feeling of being ill. Three different appointments with doctors (including one consultant at a hopsital) about my stomach which was dreadfully worse at night, I realised it was because my pharamcist has changed my brand of Levothyroxine to Accord. If I'd known that was going to be an issue for me (and it is not the case with everyone) then I would have insisted on keeping my Mercury Pharma pills. I have only been back on Mercury Pharma since this week and already feeling a tad better, my stomach is not hurting at all, but I've still got dizziness and an "off" feeling. I have also requested my doctor puts it on my prescription that I only receive Mercury Pharma from now on (as is a right apparently). If you were doing okay on the Mercury Pharma then you can insist that you stick with that. I really hope you don't have the same experience as I did. You know what my doctor said to me on Tuesday about the change in brand "Oh I don't think it makes a difference to most people"! Judging by the comments and posts on here I tend to disagree with this. I hope you feel okay on Accord if you do continue with it.

Sunflower535 profile image
Sunflower535 in reply to

Thank you. Sorry to hear of your experience. I will give them a chance and see how I get on. At least I know if I'm not feeling great I will know what to blame. Others have said most people can cope with the change in brand. I just hope I'm one of those that can too. Take care.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Many are perfectly well on several makes.

There is no rule that a change of manufacturer inevitably causes an issue!

It is very good to be aware of the make(s) you are taking but not a good idea to worry unnecessarily.

Sunflower535 profile image
Sunflower535 in reply tohelvella

Thanks Helvella. I will work away as normal and not dwell on the change of brand. Thank you for reassurance.

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