Carbimazole

[nooneimportant]

I am not moaning this time - just had a text from my GP surgery stating "please find letter attached with important notification regarding some medication you might be on" there was no letter attached, although not sure how they could attached a letter to a text lol - anyone heard of any recalls or anything? Just waiting for a call back but thought I'd ask on here ...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Looks like the MHRA hve not issued anything recently about Carbimazole:

gov.uk/drug-device-alerts?k...

However, I did see that Greater Manchester seem to be intending to end prescribing of 10 and 15 milligram Carbimazole tablets. Which seems pretty sensible given that they are massively more expensive that 5 or 20 milligram tablets.

£237 for 15, £81 for 10, £2.66 for 20, £1.81 for 5.

The only possible justification fopr 10 and 15 milligram dosages seems to be patient "convenience".

drugtariff.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/#/...

Obviously, that message could have gone to everyone taking any dosage of Carbimazole!

Do let us know what transpires!

Screenshot of Carbimazole prices on NHS Drug Tariff February 2024

[nooneimportant in reply to helvella]

So I messages the GP Surgery and they said - yes we sent you the message - then closed it as complete ahahahahah despite me asking what was in the letter?! I'll pop in tomorrow morning or buzz them on Monday - I'm sure it's nothing that important lol

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Could be advice to adjust dose?

I’ve been taking carbimazole for over 5 years & last year I got a text advising - “Carbimazole is linked with an increased risk of birth defects if used in pregnancy. Therefore, patients should continue to use effective contraception during treatment and avoid use in pregnancy unless strictly necessary.

Please do not stop taking your medication without discussion with a healthcare professional.”

Apparently this is sent to females under 55. May not apply to you, you have no bio info?

I knew this information from the patient information leaflet ect but was it not discussed at time. I was early 40s at time so dr might have assumed (correctly) I wasn’t planning a pregnancy. 4 years or treatment was a bit late otherwise.

[nooneimportant]

Thats brilliant - defo too old for that malarkey now fast approaching 44 - the GP weren't much much help when I message but I'll try catch them tomorrow morning or Monday - I am sure it's not urgent just wondered if anyone had received a similar thing thanks guys - as always