Levothyroxine brand

[Craigd101]

Hi all,

I'm after some advice please. I've been taking levothyroxine for a few years, my 100mcg tablets have always been supplied by the LLoyds pharmacy next to my GP, and have always been Accord brand (or Northstar which I believe are the same Accord tablets in different packaging). I assume Lloyds have some connection with Accord, or make most profit on that brand, as that was the brand always prescribed without fail.

Lloyds sold the pharmacy off a few months ago, and now the brand I'm getting is a lottery. I've been given both Aristo & TEVA brands, but with both I started getting hypo symptoms within 3-4 days. There are no other Lloyds pharmacies local to me.

I've looked at the Lloyds direct prescription service, but I've read that it was recently taken over by pharmacy 4u, and I'm worried they may no longer have their relationship with Accord.

I know I can ask my GP to specify a certain brand on the prescription, but I suppose there is no guarantee that any pharmacy will supply Accord if its more expensive to them.

I've read that Boots supply Almus brand which is actually Accord. Does anybody collect their levo from Boots, and is it always Almus? I have a Boots local to me.

Just after some guidance really on the best way of getting a consistent supply.

Thanks

Craig

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I get Almus/ Accord from Boots and haven’t had any issues since my GP practice wrote this brand specifically on my prescription.

[helvella Administrator]

When I was taking Accord product, I found Boots always supplied that - in Almus packaging.

Ironically, I have since switched away from Boots and from Accord/Almus. I felt some tablets were not quite right for me. And now I get Aristo from a former Lloyds pharmacy! And am happy with it.

[Anthea55]

I've had Almus / Accord from Boots. It can be worth ringing the branch before you go in to check it's in stock. If not they can always get it in very quickly.

Note that both names are written on the box.

[Sparklingsunshine]

I always get Accord as a named brand, I've found independent pharmacies are often better at sourcing specific brands as they often have more flexibility and choice over which medicines wholesaler they use, whereas chains like Lloyds just get whatever they're given.

[carnation]

I use a local independent pharmacy. They have noted on their computer to only give me Accord. It is rarely wrong. I always open the packet before I leave to check as they can’t exchange once you have taken them away.

[rosie61]

I can't take Teva brand as it makes me feel ill. I have it on my prescription not to supply it, but still have to check it is not Teva everytime I go in to get it, as sometimes it is repackaged under another brand name.My sister takes Teva and she is fine on it.

[Levo1]

I get my levothyroxine from the GP surgery dispensary and the GP specifies my preferred brand, in my case Teva.

If there is ever an error in the brand provided I can easily get it put right. In addition, I simply order it via the Patient Access app.

Financially this also supports the surgery rather than a private organisation.

Hope you manage to get it sorted with some kind of consistency.

[Urbanski]

I'm in the same position, had to go searching for a chemist who'd actually take notice of the notes 'Accord brand only' on my script.. I found the supermarket chemist at Morrisons seem to be able to get Accord for me. I was told it was no more expensive than the others too! If you have a Morrisons near you, its worth a try, I have to do a round trip, but worth it to get the brand

[thyreoidea]

I source my Levothyroxine from Boots and always request Accord or Almus, Almus are associated with Boots owners and contain Accord. They have always been OK with giving me what I ask for which is automatic now.

[Cuddlebun]

I have also had to request not to give me any other brands but accord but have to check everytime by opening the bag to make sure as they tend to slip other brands thst I have tried but have had a reaction too x

[helvella Administrator]

Always check what is in the bag before leaving the counter.

At that point, they can take it back. But once you walk away, they cannot.

[Lily1970]

hi, I had the same pb dome time ago, getting my 100ug in one brand and my 25 in another… which can be detrimental as we may not tolerate fillings or binding from other brands. As you said, i got my gp to specify this on my prescription snd now pb is solved. I need Accord brand too and when I action my repeat prescription bia the NHS app, i always add a comment in the box provided. Whenever in the past I received different brands, I gave the medication back and it was fine. I am now with Boots chemist and all is fine. Indeed, Almus is Accord lab. They had changed some time ago but all the same med.

When the tsh level is unstable, It is essential for us patients to have the same med if it is what suits us.

[Craigd101]

Hi everyone, thanks for your helpful replies. I called the GP surgery this morning, but they have advised that it is against their policy to specify a particular brand on the prescription, and that the onus is on me to shop around and find a chemist with the brand I require....

After much persistence, the person I spoke to went to the pharmacy next door (which is no longer Lloyds) and asked them to make a note on my record to only supply Accord. Apparently the pharmacist said this would be fine.

I guess I'll see what happens next time I go to collect! I'd rather it was stated on my actual prescription to be honest, not just on my pharmacy record.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Craigd101]

While I understand and in many ways agree, not having it stated has advantages too!

For example, if necessary, you could go to a Boots pharmacy and accept the same product packaged as Almus. Which might not be possible if your prescription stated "Accord".

And, if you wanted to change make for any reason, you are free to do so without referring back to the GP.

In the end, a lot depends on the willingness of pharmacies to be helpful.

[Bob00752]

this is what the government website says (2021 if I remember).

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

Teva seems to be the most complained about. The prescribing advice above also mentions getting an oral solution as an option as this has no fillers (which appear to be the likely cause of brand differences). Wockhart is another brand not mentioned so far. I’m currently being supplied with Accord by a small independent pharmacist.

[ReallyWondering]

I stopped my generics due to the fluctuations. They are definitely not all the same. I was getting tired of feeling symptoms every time my insurance company found a cheaper brand. I get synthroid directly from Abbvie. It’s $75 a month.

[Tantara]

Did you get your problem sorted? I am having the same problem. For years, I was issued exactly the same brands direct from the chemist in the surgery. Since moving nearer to the surgery, I had to go to Lloyds and had many different brands. My TSH went up to over 5. I sorted this with Lloyds, however, Lloyds recently sold the pharmacy. I have since been given five different packs over three months, I feel lousy, have headaches, pins and needles and feel tired. Narrowing it down, it would appear I have a problem with Teva who have several different packages including Hillcross. I asked the chemist if they could give me Accord, Mercury, Wockhardt (anything but Teva, Hillcross, etc...), they said no they cannot do that. I visited the doctors and rather than bother the doctor gave the receptionist two packets and asked if the doctor could note these on my prescription, I also shown then the different packages I has been given. This started well but did not last for long. I now have two unused Teva at home. Despite my asking and phoning chemist, Daughter went to fetch prescription today and chemist put in a Teva. I instructed her to leave the Teva on the counter and I will go under-dosed again. Spoke with doctors surgery who say I have to find a chemist who will do this for me. I am a long way from home and only go home at weekends when doctors is closed. Have been looking at buying on line but most will not sell a stipulated brand of Levothyroxine, plus most photo's show Teva.

[Craigd101]

Not completely sorted, although it's better than it was.My GP agreed to put in the notes on my prescription to only supply Accord. It generally works, although the last time I collected from the chemist they supplied a different brand. I noticed before leaving and got them to change it (thankfully they had some accord in stock, they'd just missed the note on my prescription).

I found an online pharmacy which supplied me with 3 months worth of Accord, which I keep as back up....can't be going without medication. A lot of online pharmacies don't specify the brand, and show a box of Teva as you say, but I did find one that allows you to specify Accord as part of the request. If you want the website details please PM me.

It's a shame we have to resort to these tactics, but needs must!