Hi folks , pharmacy keeps swapping levothyroxine brands

[Chocolate1970]

One week I get accord the next aristo and last week teva . After taking teva for 4 days I felt very weepy , shakey , anxious , irritable and basically depressed so they swapped it to aristo . So today I got another weeks supply of aristo and they said they'd run out and next week it would be accord as I said both brands agree with me .After doing research even nhs , I read that even swapping brands could affect you . Please could someone help as I'm very sensitive to meds but my gp said that swapping levothyroxine doesn't make any difference and I just have to take what pharmacy has and my symptoms could be covid and that I have bipolar !!!!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The government have something to say about this which you can show your GP and pharmacist: gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

Why are you getting weekly prescriptions and not 28 days or more?

Your GP can write your preferred brand in the first line of the prescription - see image.

brand Rx

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi thanks for replying, yes I saw the government link and realised nope I'm not making it up .

I get weekly due to having bipolar disorder to make sure that I remember to take my meds and don't take too many .

I have a very understanding gp but I can't always get an appointment with them and the gp that said it's basically all in my head sees the bipolar first but in the meantime it's doing my nut in not being believed.

So am I right that changing between aristo and accord can affect my thyroid levels even though they are both levothyroxine which I keep being told from the pharmacy.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Chocolate1970]

Its possible it could change your thyroid levels but also some brands suit some people better than others. Pick whichever you feel better on.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Jaydee1507]

And thanks that government info said more than the 1 I saw . I have copied it so I can show my gp and pharmacist.

[helvella Administrator]

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, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.

Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).

📄 dropbox.com/s/bo2jzxucgp9hl...

Last updated 17/09/2024

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

[Chocolate1970 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for your reply . I'm having trouble opening the link but will try again later but thanks for your help

[helvella Administrator in reply to Chocolate1970]

It might be that the PDF is downloading but not opening? Or it is taking longer than you expect. Let me know exactly what is happening.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Chocolate1970]

Did you manage to open the document?

Screenshot of levothyroxine matrix

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I got so fed up with pharmacies giving me the run around I wrote to my MP. I’ve not had any trouble since and admin at GP have helpfully edited my prescription.

See this thread for info healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Singwell in reply to Regenallotment]

Oh, good move. I've not had too much trouble but honestly I think we should lobby our MPs more on this type of thing - and lab tests 😞

[Ktlc]

when you order via the NHS app do you write in the comments the brand? I write Teva brand only every time I order and I’ve always received it.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Ktlc]

Unfortunately it's my pharmacy that orders my repeat prescription for me and I've only just realised how harmful swapping brands can be as the pharmacy haven't been letting me know this .

[Bromly1]

oh no don’t allow them to change your Levo I don’t I refuse and tell them to give me my prescription and I take it to another chemist. I only take the ONE brand accord it’s like my daughter who has epilepsy she can only take one brand of medication or she could loose control of her seizures.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Bromly1]

Thanks , I know it's extremely frustrating if they can't get the vencamil aristo as I get a weekly tray I might have to get a new prescription.

But thanks for your help

[Pinkisbest1]

I have a similar issue with changing brands of meds. I got my GP to include the specific brand in the prescription so the pharmacy have to get in the correct brand. Hope that helps.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Pinkisbest1]

Thanks yep think I defo need to contact gp next week

[Track78]

Hi, I take 50mg accord 6yrs and seemed fine then changed meds Levo to 75mg chemist gave me Teva and I felt awful didn’t know was this for months at first doctor says it shouldn’t make a difference !

But yes it did I went back to accord 50mg as they don’t do it 75mg. Then I got a 25mg Teva made me ill so switch again to wockhardt brand and I seem to be doing ok.

Doctor then said I might be sensitive no sh*t - so I ask the chemist to keep sane so far so good. Don’t settle for it bring in your head if you don’t feel right.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Track78]

Awwwww thank you so much, all your replies are helping so much as like I said having bipolar made me doubt myself.

[Sluggishandtired]

Good morning Chocolate 1970! You are correct in that changing brands has a negative effect on your health. You obviously have an issue with your GP, but I’ve had real issues with different brands for all my meds. My GP puts a notice on my prescription to provide TEVA. I know that isn’t a good one for you but please speak to your pharmacist and let them know the issues you are having and what actually works for you. I have a lovely pharmacist that I can speak to but if I didn’t I would get a new pharmacist. When they change brands on me for other meds that I take I can get terrible nightmares or the meds simply don’t work. All the best.

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Sluggishandtired]

Thanks very much for your help , looks like I'm going to have to speak to them again , if I don't get any success defo changing pharmacist

[Singwell]

In the NICE guidelines it states that keeping the same brand is important. I asked my GP to put in the prescription- must be Wockhardt brand. It means I have to take 3 pills a day because apparently the pharmacy can only get 25mcg but they're pretty good about it. Only once made a mistake.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Singwell]

Could you point out where it says that, please?

(It is not just your pharmacy that can only get 25 microgram Wockhardt - that is all they make! )

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to helvella]

I can’t find any reference in NICE 2023 but it is in this Gov drugs update (MHRA) from 2021. gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

This must be what the health minister referred to in her letter. 🌱

[helvella Administrator in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks. I didn't remember it in the NICE NG145 guidance and couldn't find it so thought it was me missing it.

[Singwell in reply to helvella]

It sounds like the guideline I'm referring to is no longer there. I would have been searching for guidance on treating long term untreated hypothyroidism in over 65s. If it was in the NICE guidelines it would be there. I remember being pleasantly surprised and used it to nudge my GP to specify the brand.Didn't realise that Wockhardt only do 25mcg. Only had an issue when.i increased to 75mcg. But it makes sense because it seems to me that one of the ways the different manufacturers differentiate is via dosage. As well as other factors.

[helvella Administrator]

If you are OK on the Aristo product, ask your prescriber to specify Vencamil as in image attached.

Obviously, change dosage as required! They supply 25, 50, 75 and 100 microgram dosages.

How to write prescription for Aristo Vencamil

[Chocolate1970 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that info , greatly appreciated

[Kimmi01]

I react very badly to teva, much like you but with a nasty rash face and chest too. My dr’s have requested avoid teva on my prescription and my pharmacy are good about providing other brands. I think the fillers are the thing I react to. Maybe a good idea to change to a more accommodating pharmacy. Good luck

[Sinkingfast]

Just an add on with what I do...Script says Teva only

When ordering I put a note on saying please order in Teva if necessary

And when I pick up my prescription I open the bag in front of them to check.... it is often not right brand, so I give it back to them & say, this is not teva, I need teva. The script says Teva & I put a note on saying need Teva

Nightmare!!

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Sinkingfast]

Yep isn't it just , it's people's health pharmacist are mucking about with !!!!

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Sinkingfast]

Thanks this chat forum is helping me greatly get things off my chest as my husband is so sick of my complaining about it and actually accused me of going manic !!!!! Maybe need to ditch the husband aswell as the pharmacy 😆

[CustardTarts in reply to Chocolate1970]

😂

[mumellis in reply to Chocolate1970]

Might be a plan😅

[McMurtagh]

I take T3 but have to take the same brand. Other brands don’t work for me leave me feeling hypo.

So my helpful GP specified the brand.

Inspite of this, a few months ago, the pharmacist took it upon herself to give me a different brand on the basis that the brand didn’t matter and “the box looks almost the same”.

Her ignorant, dismissive and patronising comment was not well received and following a rather direct challenge culminating in me telling her I’d be lodging a formal complaint naming her as the person who ignored a legal prescription and subsequently made me ill I haven’t had an issue since. I think my brand is more expensive.

Many years ago I was completely debilitated by hypothyroidism and having found my sweet spot won’t let anyone mess with it.

I know when you’re feeling ill and vulnerable it’s hard to argue on your own behalf but perhaps you have a friend or family member who can.

You’ll get there x

[Chocolate1970 in reply to McMurtagh]

Oh my gosh !!!!! I feel like crying when you said you went hypo that's exactly what is happening thank goodness you managed to get it sorted , I'll keep on badgering them until they do . I have read that underactive thyroid can display bipolar symptoms, do any of you know if I'm correct on this matter .

And it makes me think and question alot of health issues as I've also read that the thyroid controls alot of bodily functions as I've had so many gastro problems aswell so now I'm putting it down to my pharmacy keep changing my levothyroxine and desmopressin which desmopressin is also another hormone .

I really do appreciate your feed back like I've said to others on this forum , it's reassuring to know it's not a bioolar relaspe although my moods are off .

[posthinking01]

Hi there I used to get the same at my local Boots the Chemist - but I explained to them what happens and how dangerous it is for a thyroid patient to keep switching the medication. I now make sure my GP writes on the prescription the name of the medication needed then the chemist is obliged to get that product and that product alone. They will try to fob you off with whatever the warehouse has in stock from their supplier but if you get a good relationship going with them they will make sure you get the right product - the key is to ask the GP to write on the prescription and explain what is happening.

[posthinking01]

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

[Tina_Maria]

I have the same problem with specific brands of levothyroxine and I am getting on best with Accord. The GP does write it on my prescription, but the local pharmacy did ignore this on occasions and swapped the medicine for the brand they have in stock at the time.

I then moved to an online pharmacy, which went okay for a while, but then they moved to an automatic system that reads prescriptions, so they just chuck out again what they have and ignore the specific brand name. I am back to picking up my prescription again and try to source it locally, but this is all frustrating and time consuming.

There is an online pharmacy that still picks prescriptions manually, but they charge £5 for sending it, as they are not affiliated with the NHS dispensing system - a bit much if you consider how cheap levo is and postage is never that much!! If someone has a good suggestion how I could guarantee to get Accord levo, I would be most grateful!

[helvella Administrator in reply to Tina_Maria]

It used to be the case that you almost always got Accord from Boots branches - but packaged as Almus.

And you are very likely to get Accord from many former Lloyds pharmacies - but packaged as Hillcross. (Be warned, AAH Hillcross 25 microgram tablets - which dosage Accord do not produce - are Teva product.)

As I am now getting (and trying to get) Aristo Vencamil, I'm getting rather far from personal experience. Perhaps others would confirm?

[Tina_Maria in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that and sorry for the late answer, only just saw your reply.

I was running around 5 or 6 local pharmacies to chase the Accord brand (I need 100 mcg) and got fed up with it, hence me trying to source it from the internet. It went okay for a while but I think most internet pharmacies that are bigger have an automated system in place now, so just dispense any generic levothyroxine they have in stock without taking into account brand names. So that option was no longer feasible.

As Accord is a fairly big brand (cheap as well) I would have thought that most pharmacies would stock that, but the supply is not always there it seems. I am lucky, as I usually still have a couple of month's supplies in my cabinet when I order my new prescription, so if there is a problem, I have a bit of time to sort it out. But it is time consuming and frustrating that you have to jump through so many hoops and have to be on the ball constantly... I keep on trying to find a better solution, but I fear that there is no easy fix for that problem... 😢

[Chocolate1970 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thanks for your reply , thankfully my pharmacy are now going to continue giving me vencamil aristo. I was told it was teva that they had given me instead and it didn't agree with me but as I researched accord levothyroxine I realised the changed tablets were actually that as identified by the markings on the tablet . Which the pharmacy kept saying I'd had before the vencamil and hadn't reported any side effects but I think I'd been given activis in the past ( which accord have taken over ) and obviously as I'd been given vencamil and then changed back to accord it didn't agree with me . But I must say I hadn't had a levothyroxine with markings of C on one side and I think its TC on the other so goodness knows what they'd kept swapping the vencamil with before , obviously it wasn't accord . But glad I'm getting to stick with vencamil as I think they just gave me whatever they had in stock