Change of levo brand to Aristo any problems anyone?

[emcbutterfly]

Hi,

I have found that I'm sensitive to a change of brand and Aristo is now the only brand of levothyroixine at my local pharmacy. Since changing from Accord 2 1/2 months ago I've found that I've been having repeated headaches and weight gain. Also my blood pressure is scarily high. I'm aware this can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. I've been monitoring my BP for nearly a week now and although I'm taking 2.5mg of Ramipril there isn't really any considerable change. I've been feeling quite unwell this week, sleepy during the day and struggling to swim my usual 50 lengths in 20m pool. I'm not sure whether this is related to an underlying virus or change in levo brand. If any one has any similar experiences I'd love to hear from you.

[helvella Administrator]

One of my blogs is about personal experiences of Aristo levothyroxine/Vencamil:

helvella - Aristo Levothyroxine Posts

Experiences of taking Aristo levothyroxine as posted on HealthUnlocked.

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

However that is no longer maintained as Aristo has become a mainstream product - and is no longer the "new kid on the block".

I suggest that you request a blood test via your GP and see where you are.

I take Aristo and am very happy with it. But we are all individuals which is why I do not want to jump to any assumptions.

[RedApple]

emcbutterfly, Symptoms you describe suggest you are over medicated. It's quite possible that the Aristo is doing a better job than the Accord did, meaning that you might need a dose reduction. It's important to get a thyroid blood test asap to see whether there's a significant change in your TSH, FT4 etc. If your surgery can't fit you for a test very soon, you could consider doing a self test. (Don't change your levo dose until you've done a test.)

[EchoWS]

I think those sound like symptoms of under (weight, struggling to swim) or maybe over medication but sounds like Aristo doesn't agree with you. Accord is a common brand, I think Boots brand is Accord. Can you see if you can find it at another pharmacy, and have the prescription reissued for you to fill elsewhere? If you switch back to it and feel better you should ask your Dr to specify it. Changing brands just doesn't work for me. Now I'm Aristo, brand name specified, but I did take Accord and for what it's worth thought Accord was more potent. The blood tests for fT3 and fT4 also might be helpful.

[Jenni55]

HiIve been on Levo for 7 yrs and i take Ramipril 5mg daily. I found i was allergic to teva brand of Levo years ago and i was able to change to another brand. I was told that it is the fillers in the tablet that sometimes dont agree with you. As for my BP i also had my Ramipril increased to 5mg and now quite stable with it. Im not sure if my high BP was anything to do with levo as was just very stressed at the time.

Id deffo change brands and poss get a BP review at docs. Good luck x

[emcbutterfly]

Thanks for your replies, I managed to change back to the Accord brand and began feeling much better almost immediately. I still have some nausea and a slight headache but nowhere near the tiredness and fatigue I was experiencing with Aristo. I think I am possibly fighting a virus also as there's lots about in Liverpool at the moment. Nearly all of my friends have something nasty they are dealing with. My BP is still high so maybe once things settle down I need an increase to manage it and sounds like 5mg would do the trick. Jenn55 have you noticed any side effects from the Ramilpril at all? Thanks again its good to know you are not managing this alone