Why is it important to use same brand of levo?

[DizzyD]

I'm on 75mcg of levo 75/50 alternative days. Keep get given 50 of one brand 25 of a different brand. Also both brands can be different from one week to the mext. Apparently, you get given what the wholesaler sends to pharmacy...!Just phoned 3 different pharmacies all said same thing. One asked " Why do you need to have the same brand"? I could not answer her....!

Can anyone explain why its important to get same brand?

Thank you....over and out.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Different brands of levothyroxine are not necessarily bio equivalent

That means 100mcg of one brand will give different results compared to 100mcg of different brand

This will vary from patient to patient

It takes 3-6 months for bloods to stabilise after any dose or brand change in levothyroxine

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.

If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.

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...

Which two brands are you currently taking