Accord

[Sam_antha1234]

Hi

I’ve been taking Accord for the last year after taking Northstar since my thyroidectomy 15 years ago. Over the last 6 weeks I have been having strange symptoms. Lots of burping loads of cattargh. Feeling nauseous. It’s making me feel rotten. Also bad anxiety. I take 125mg per day. I split a 50 mg into two. I tried to take Teva in 25 mg I couldn’t take them and my symptoms were similar to what I’m currently experiencing. I gone the last two days without anything at all and the symptoms are much better. I know it’s not ok to stop the medication I just wanted to see if I felt any better. Do you think it’s possible Accord have changed their ingredients recently I don’t have any previous ingredients lists to compare it to. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I don't think it possible Accord have changed their ingredients.

At least, I don't think they could have done so intentionally and hoped that no-one would notice!

The current Patient Information Leaflet - which covers 50 and 100 microgram tablets - is here:

mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

Date last updated January 2023.

The only product which has had a change of ingredients in recent years was Teva when it went off the market for a few years and returned with "New Formulation" right across every pack.

However, this does not mean there isn't possibility of some sort of mistake or issue!

I urge you to put in a Yellow Card report.

You would not be the first to feel that at least some Accord tablets are not quite right.

I switched to Aristo Vencamil for my 100, and either breaking them or Wockhardt or another make to reach my 125 dose.

[Sparklingsunshine]

I think there were some posts on Accord a few months ago, some members were reporting some batches that seemed less potent. I take Accord but none of the batch numbers corresponded with ones I have. Is it worth trying Mercury brand instead, as that is often well tolerated. Would your pharmacist swap them out for you?

[AngelRain in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I was stable on Mercury Pharma for ten years, but my pharmacy tell me it is no longer available. I'm currently getting a,different brand every month, which is much less hhan ideal.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to AngelRain]

That's bunkum. Mercury is readily available. You need a different pharmacist, not different Levo brands. If you are able to I would contact chemists in your area and ask if they stock Mercury.

If you find one ask your GP to name it on your prescription. Most Hypos do better with the same brand each time. Even NICE recognise that chopping and changing brands isnt desirable.

Pharmacists gaslight us almost as much as GP's do. Your pharmacy maybe unwilling or unable to get Mercury but its still out there.

[AngelRain in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I only have a choice of two pharmacies locally. Both say they cannot offer consistency of supply and I will have to have what they can get, not including Mercury Pharma, which both say is no longer available.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to AngelRain]

Independent pharmacies are often a better bet than chains as they can use more than one supplier. Its not the actual Levothyroxine in the brands that is the issue, its the fillers.

Teva is lactose free but uses mannitol, which doesn't suit a lot of people. Funnily enough Mercury made me itch so I switched to Accord. There are online pharmacies that deliver to your door. I dont know if that's an option.

[AngelRain in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Both our local pharmacies are independent. Both Boots and Lloyd's have closed.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to AngelRain]

Are they possibly missing that Advanz Mercury Pharma Eltroxin is available?

That is, as a branded product even if the generic version is not.

Then HS dm+d database clearly shows both branded and generic versions. If they were withdrawn, it would have a tick in the "Discontinued" column. If you follow the link, you can see several other products have that.

dmd-browser.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/v...

(Not sure if the link will work. It might be tied to my session.)

Screenshot from NHS dm+d database

[Fliplaar]

I just wanted to say trying mercury pharma might be worth a shot, you can get 100’s and 25’s from them . There were a few brands that didn’t agree with me and accord was one of them but I’m good on Mercury pharma . I use a big Boots as my pharmacy and they’re great at always giving me the same brand.

Hope you find what works best for you and feel better soon x

[Sam_antha1234]

Hi Everyone

Thank you so much for all your comments ands advice. I am going to talk with my local pharmacist who are very good and see what other brands they can get me.