Yesterday, I went to pick up some owing levothyroxine - three packs of 25 and one pack of 100.
The pharmacy has been helpful since I moved to them some time ago. I having consistently been getting Aristo Vencamil 100 and Wockhardt 25.
But this time - all four packs were Hillcross.
You are likely aware that:
◎ The Hillcross 25 is Teva product
- which made my stomach uncomfortable even in a tiny dose.
◎ The Hillcross 100 is Accord product
- which I asked to move from because they were, for me, inconsistent and I wanted to see if a lactose-free product helped. (It did!)
They were perfectly pleasant, as usual, and took them back as I was still at the counter. But I simply do not know what will now happen.
When Aristo Vencamil does arrive in the 25 product, I'll ask my surgery to prescribe both as Vencamil - which should help resolve the issue. Hopefully that will be very soon.
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.
I highly recommend viewing on a computer screen, or a decent sized tablet, rather than a phone. Even I find it less than satisfactory trying to view them on my phone.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and also liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Contains details of all known desiccated thyroid products including information about several products not considered to be Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT/Desiccated Thyroid Extract/DTE).
Contains details of all levothyroxine, liothyronine and combination products - excluding desiccated thyroid products. Details available vary by country and manufacturer.
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.
Here is an old thread with some info, I spoke to Paul at Aristo and so did my MP, they will happily ring any pharmacy and ensure stock for those that prefer it. 🌱
This happened to me a few weeks ago!I got Teva in Hillcross boxes. The pharmacy weren’t aware. I have Mercury Pharma noted on my prescription and whilst my pharmacy staff are lovely, they rarely get it right. I cannot tolerate Wockhardt or Teva in any medication not just thyroid meds. It is noted on their computer records but they don’t check and I am regularly given the wrong brand of meds.
I ask for my script to be printed at the surgery rather than be sent directly to the pharmacy, but even then, the surgery don’t always do it which is why I have to always check which brand I’m given whilst in the pharmacy. At least now they change it immediately, previously they made me go back to the GP to get a new script after their mistake!
Sorry you are having difficulty again with obtaining the correct medication brand. Thank you for posting it. I've just passed on the bit about which brands are rebranded as this will be helpful to other thyroid friends.
I have on my notes at Boots the chemist Do not dispense Teva products. I can only take certain ones after years of eliminating the ones that were causing more issues. I still have lots of symptoms but nowhere near to when I was taking teva products. I was told its the fillers they use. Some chemists use the cheaper brands. I tend to stick with Boots now so I know I get the correct meds.
I've already updated my UK medicines document with the PIP codes for the new Vencamil dosages. Always a good idea to have these details when trying to get a pharmacy to dispense a specific product as it side-steps the "We couldn't find a code for that." excuse.
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.
I highly recommend viewing on a computer screen, or a decent sized tablet, rather than a phone. Even I find it less than satisfactory trying to view them on my phone.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and also liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Contains details of all known desiccated thyroid products including information about several products not considered to be Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT/Desiccated Thyroid Extract/DTE).
Contains details of all levothyroxine, liothyronine and combination products - excluding desiccated thyroid products. Details available vary by country and manufacturer.
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.
Same happened to me a few weeks ago. I stood Hillcross for a few weeks but after having shall we say, a dodgy stomach, I gave them back to the Pharmacy.
Unfortunately at the time of picking up my meds they didn't have Wockhardt and had to have Hillcross. I got them swapped eventually. I hope it doesn't happen again!!!! 😱
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