Teva thyroxcine

[buzzjess]

I have always taken actavis or accord for past 22 years nether had a problem until this make

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

We have had many members say they cannot tolerate Teva levothyroxine.

But to make sure the picture is complete, we have some members who have found Teva the best levothyroxine they have ever had!

As well as some who seem to have no particular view - it is OK.

The suspicion is that it is because Teva levothyroxine contains mannitol. (Most others contain lactose but Aristo contains neither.)

I suggest you put in a Yellow Card report and see if the pharmacy will issue something else, or ask the GP for a new prescription.

(I did not get on with Teva levothyroxine either!)

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Poppycat999 in reply to helvella]

Hi l fairly recent saw an endocrinologist who suggested l go on 75 levothyroxine monday to friday and 100 weekends. I thought that was a bit weird myself l was on 100 one day 75 the next alternative days. I felt good on that dose my TSH was 0.99 I tried new dose she suggested been on it 9 weeks dont feel half as well as l did. Just had blood test waiting for results. My issue is my doctor has prescribed a new prescription which is a mixture of brands Almus 100 Teva 75. I have always had Almus and cut to suit. I refused to accept the 75 teva from chemist. I did a new prescription request to doctor for 50 Almus to cut. I dont know what she will do. I didn't think l should be mixing brands and l know alot of people dont tolerate Teva. Have l done the right thing trying not to mix brands?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Poppycat999]

A few notes about mixing makes!

helvella - Mixing Levothyroxine Formulations

A discussion about mixing (and switching) formulations of levothyroxine.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Vixen54 in reply to Poppycat999]

If you have any trouble with the doctor just tell them to go on government site regarding sticking to same brand of Levo. As it even states there you should stick to the same brand if you are sensitive to it.Here is the link.

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Request new prescription from GP and get a note added to all future prescriptions

“No Teva”

Many, many thyroid patients don’t get on with Teva, or can’t tolerate it at all

But for some it’s by far the best option

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets 

Mercury Pharma also boxed as Eltroxin. Both often listed by company name on pharmacy database - Advanz

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets. Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, 

Wockhardt is very well tolerated, but only available in 25mcg tablets. Some people remain on Wockhardt, taking their daily dose as a number of tablets 

Lactose free brands - currently Teva or Vencamil only

Teva makes 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

Teva is lactose free.But Teva contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome 

Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Aristo (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free.

March 2023 - Aristo now called Vencamil

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

List of different brands available in U.K.

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

Posts that mention Teva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

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.

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

And here

pharmacymagazine.co.uk/clin...

Discussed here too

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[crimple]

buzzjes, some people , like me, cannot tolerate Teva because it contains acacia powder.

[jgelliss in reply to crimple]

I had palpitations from Synthroud because of acacia filler that they put in. Fillers can cause side effects.

Thank you for mentioning it.

[cbraffe]

I have been on Teva since 2019 and, was one of those praising it as I did not experience any issues. Long story short, it has damaged my gut. I have been unwell for the past 5 months with severe gastritis. The problem is my GP agreed to change to Aristo as I am Lactose intolerant however, the chemist refused to issue 100mg as it would be impossible to cut it. I am waiting for an appointment with an endo to advise. currently taking Lanzoprazole and antibiotics and, I am in so much pain.

[Suzi-B in reply to cbraffe]

Stramge isn’t it how a medication made by another company can be so different, i’m ok with teva, infact it suits me better, i was also put on a high dose of ferrous sulphate, as i was apparently anaemic, nearly a year later i feel so much better!

[cbraffe in reply to Suzi-B]

I believe it depends on the individual. I did not have any other side effects. I am also anemic

[Dryski]

It's not you, that brand is nasty. Hurt my stomach and whole digestive track. Only could handle six days.

[Dryski]

It's the mannitol and acacia in it. My first and last time for that one.