Finally it’s happened here too…. I’ve worked my way through the small stock of Aristo T4 the pharmacist had stashed for me. They had 17 tablets available in a broken box 😲
As recommended, I’ve gone back to the GP asking for them to specify Vencamil/Aristo on the script and reissue.
Luckily I’ve squirrelled back up supplies for a while but it does raise the pulse doesn’t it… and not in a good way 😰
A collective crossing of fingers please 🙏 🌱
Are you still asking for Aristo? I think it's now branded as Vencamil. helvella will correct me if I'm wrong, and have the relevant info.
Yep that’s what I’ve requested via the GP, I repeated myself as nauseum in the pharmacy, offered to write it down, explained the change. They were a bit shocked I refused the Mercury Pharma and couldn’t get past that 😫 deep breaths …. 🙏
Is Vencamil written on your prescription?
See Jaydee1507 prescription photo here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
That’s helpful thank you 🙏
That’s what I’ve asked them to do. It didn’t exist when I last spoke to an actual GP.
🍄 had contact with them the other day and all old stock of Aristo has been used up so it needs to just state Vencamil so as not to confuse them further 🙃
Thanks so much, yup. Hopefully they can get it in for me. 🙏
Hallo RegenAm curious, is the Aristo superior in some way? Or is it that it dosn't suit you for some reason?
I have an endo appointment coming up. Is this something I should raise there?
Does your chemist ask you to take your script and try another chemist if your usual is out if stock?
Mine does that with other meds. Really frustrating without a car and with sevear chronic fatige 
Hope you get what you need 
Thanks for your kind message, I’ve tried Accord and that proved a long standing query I had over lactose. Just awful gurgling tummy pain, itchy mouth etc. I tried Teva and that was better, I thought that was best for me but when I trialled Aristo my skin itching stopped and hungry rumbling tummy stopped.
Yes pharmacy offered to release the script but I knew there was this issue with the generic/ branded product so knew this was coming. They are a nice bunch and I’ve tried so many others.
I hope you get on top of the fatigue, I have that T shirt and wish you all the luck in finding what helps.
🌱
This is very interesting. I have lactose intolorance so it seems this may be an idea going forward. Very helpfull having the script to show doctor and chemist if necessary.Thanks again to all.
Every other make of levothyroxine available in the UK has lactose, acacia, mannitol - or some combination of them. And these are suspected to be the excipients most likely to cause intolerance or allergy issues.
helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world. There is now a specific world desiccated thyroid document.
The link below takes you to a blog page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones. You will have to scroll down or up to find the link to the document you want.
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and also liothyronine available in the UK. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, etc.
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
Really interesting and informative. Thank you for all your hard work and research
I prefer Aristo despite having no obvious issues with lactose, acacia or mannitol!
I did not get on with Teva.
And in the past I have tried L-Thyroxin Henning and Aliud - lactose-free and from Germany - and all three lactose-free products are at the top of my list.
Thank you for that. More to take to my next endo' appointment
Blimey this wasn’t straight forward…. So my pharmacy gave me 2 weeks supply and said they’d try and order some. Played online message tag with GP surgery having wording changed on prescription to make it easier for them. Back to pharmacy and they said they would give me a ring when it was in, yes they could order it…., checked back twice, nothing yet, nothing yet, ……checked back today, sorry despite being independent and using 7 suppliers, we’ve rung them all can’t get Aristo or Vencamil on order. Released script, try all the other pharmacies…. Third one lucky they had stock of Aristo (not Vencamil) but they can’t order more. All pharmacies tried on their computers and said they couldn’t order it via their suppliers. Pharmacy who had stock promised to put 3 months aside for me in a named carton. Angels🙏.
helvella do you know about this? Do I contact Aristo in Germany? Is this a Brexit thing? My MP?
While waiting in all 3 pharmacies at least 50% of each queue were turned away as items (no idea what) not in stock. Some sent to hospital to ask for things…. system is a shambles, people doing their best, everyone politely accepting the new normal. 🤦🏽♀️☹️
Advice to anyone reading, order your repeat prescription a few days early every time, keep a note of which date you are next due to re-order. I’m so glad I did this and had stock to ride this out. 🌱
I just picked up a box of 28 but it was already on the chemists shelf. I now get 2 boxes per repeat so need to go back for the balance next week although its obviously not urgent with being able to get 1 box originally.
I'll let you know how I get on collecting it.
Good luck getting your supply.
Yep I finally got my hands on 56 and have built up a 28 day buffer too. Hope you can get more 🌱
Just to let you know that I picked up the balance of 28 Vencamil prescription today from the pharmacy, no dramas!
So it is around, maybe there's a local supply issue where you are?
helvella FYI
Glad to hear this. I’ve messaged Aristo UK but not heard back, I’ll call them if I get time tomorrow. Do you know if your pharmacy can order it or if they had a random delivery?
I would suspect they ordered it in, although they did have one on the shelf when I originally took the prescription in.
This particular chemist is under new ownership and has reverted (thank the Lord!) to being independent. I had to stop using them for a while as the service was just too terrible! Normality and good service seem to have been restored under the new owners.
Our local MP recently wrote that he's been in touch with owners of some of our local pharmacies to see if he can discuss ways of their service. I think people are sick and tired of queues and not getting what they want or need.
Do let us know what Aristo have to say.
Excellent, I’ll mention it to my MP too in that case. Would you mind sharing your constituency by DM? Might help galvanise some parliamentary support. 🌱
Cripes that turned into a fiasco, I assumed you were sorted, getting the script changed is often the biggest challenge as they just don't like naming brands correctly 😠
I'm due a renewal in 10 days time... my surgery generally come up with any excuse to fail so we shall see.... I've a few months stashed these days as always pounce on renewal date so less of a crisis just the usual drama 🎭
Let me know how you get on 🌱
I know that Aristo is out of stock of all the Aristo levothyroxine product - and that is the end of that. But I thought that the Vencamil packaged product was available.
I have just put in for a new prescription so will be finding out for myself.
Contact the UK part of the company, here:
Thanks I’ll contact and report back. Pharmacy confirmed it wasn’t a cost issue and they understood the NICE guidelines and no they definitely weren’t just withholding hoping I’d cave and accept Teva instead. Hope you can get yours 🌱
update on this Jaydee1507 helvella TiggerMe
Paul at Aristo UK confirmed there is absolutely no shortage of stock, Vencamil is carried by Alliance among many other wholesalers and should also be available in Boots. Boots should be able to order it too. (Mine said they couldn’t see it on the system, he says this is nonsense).
If it’s cited on your script the pharmacy HAVE to order it.
Pharmacies habitually just order the absolute cheapest Levothyroxine on the system which is why they have shelves groaning with mercury pharma etc.
When they say they can’t get it, this is not true.
Aristo have lots of people calling asking for help. Particularly those with lactose allergies/intolerances.
If you ring Aristo and pass on the details, Paul will call your pharmacy direct and explain how they can get stock of Vencamil.
If you want to tackle it yourself then the following codes might be helpful.
PIP Code for 100mcg Vencamil via Alega (distributor) Alliance 423-2757
EAN Number: 4251575905429
He wasn’t able to give me other PIP codes for other suppliers, they do exist but he wasn’t sure patients should have them.
I’m off to write a stern letter to my former pharmacy and also to my MP.
🌱
Thanks for this Regen, very helpful.
Thanks.
Show that some "information" we receive can be grossly misleading.
I'd rather a pharmacist said they couldn't afford the extra cost (or even couldn't be bothered to order) - than to give out what appears to be duff gen.
Great work Agent Regen 🕵️♀️it's just one hurdle after another isn't it 😩
My MP is rubbish but I’ll give him another go. I need to find the chief for health in Surrey . Thank you so much Regen for your help.x
I went to another pharmacy as my usual ‘Can’t Get It’ Levothyroxine but she said “I have 4 tablets In A box” how do they have 4 when a box carries 28 what are they doing with the rest?
A significant issue is incorrect prescribing!
If a prescriber puts 30 and the product comes in 28, then the pharmacy has to open a pack and snip two to put with 28.
Or thinks they are prescribing a tablet as an alternate day dose - hence 14 tablets. Leaving 14 out of 28.
Or helping someone who needs an emergency dose when they might get any number!
Yes - it does seem mad. But there will be reasonably sensible reasons.
Oh I see thanks helvella. Does make sense
Yeah it's awful that this is happening. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my pharmacy have managed to get some , I'll find out 2 morrow. But what everyone is saying is shocking !!!!
Deja vu today 8 months on.
Pharmacy that had the training and MP and ICB involvement 8 months ago, tried to give me Hillcross today. Stated they can’t get Vencamil/Aristo from their suppliers. 🤔 exactly the same staff members that helped last time, all saying it’s not on the system 😩🤦🏽♀️ I explained that isn’t true and the Gov info they already know and that it’s named on my prescription they can order it in and I’d left 7 working days.
I’ll be calling Paul at Aristo tomorrow and shopping around all the local pharmacies to find some and re-writing to my MP. Grrrr
Aristo levothyroxine 
Aristo levo
ARISTO LEVOTHYROXIN
