I have just collected my prescription from ASDA pharmacy. I get a lot of items, a bit of a shipping order as I have multiple A.I. conditions. I didn't notice until I got home that my Levo, which is usually Teva, has been switched to Vencamil, although, same strength (75mg).
Has anybody used this brand and is it OK? I know it is not advisable to switch brands if at all possible but when I requested that my G.P. specify a named brand when I joined my new surgery in February, he refused. Tbh I have had a few issues since joining the practice but I was deregistered from my last one for being out of area and had to find a new surgery pretty quickly and most were full. Lots of new housing estates and no new G.P. surgeries, hence they have massive patient lists.
It hasn't been an issue getting the same brand in the past as the pharmacy has always issued Teva up until now but surmise it must be cheaper.
Any advice welcome.
ATVMWF
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ATVMWF
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Aristo Vencamil is the branded version of Aristo levothyroxine. The tablets are 100% identical. However, for marketing reasons, Aristo have decided only to supply it in the Vencamil-branded packaging.
When the products first became available, I collected links to many of the posts here concerning it.
helvella - Aristo Levothyroxine Posts
Experiences of taking Aristo levothyroxine as posted on HealthUnlocked.
Since then, Aristo have added 25, 50 and 75 microgram dosages.
Aristo Vencamil is my preferred product.
If you wish to continue receiving Aristo Vencamil, make sure you prescription is written for Vencamil. Otherwise it could change every time you go to the pharmacy.
As always, opinion varies. But, in general, I think it is mostly well-liked and provides a lactose-free option that is not Teva. Teva has received a lot of discussion which I have tried to explain in another blog:
helvella - Teva versus the rest
A discussion of the issues surrounding Teva levothyroxine.
Finally, ALL UK licensed thyroid hormone medicines are listed in my UK medicines document.
helvella's medicines documents (UK) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines licensed 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 liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK-licensed products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), British National Formulary, NHS Drug Tariff, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).
Many, many thanks for your swift and comprehensive reply Helvella. I remembered you had compiled a document listing most thyroid medications but my head was bashed last night and I couldn't remember where to pick it up from. I will now save these links.
If you like Teva which is lactose free then Vencamil should* also suit you. Its generally very well tolerated by most people and is also lactose & mannitol free.
Try asking a different doctor for the brand you want specified on your prescription. You could also show them this government advice: gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...
Thanks for coming back so quickly with info. I'll try them out and report back.
Next time I am at G.P. I'll ask again for them to specify a named brand, although, tbh I haven't found a doctor on this panel that I "clicked" with yet. I have found them to be very cool. The admin team don't seem to know what they are doing and it has taken me since Feb and 4 requests to get access to my NHS records via the app. My prescriptions are never right, including this last one, which is still missing items. I also have Sjogrens and I am in the middle of a flare which is deeply unpleasant. When I got a different brand of Levo it put me into a bit of a tailspin and the old brainfog clicked in. I couldn't remember how to access Helvellas thyroid lists etc. What a basket case LOL
I posted on here recently about Vencamil. I wasn’t happy with it as had been taking 50mcgs Accord and 25mcg s Wockhardt for several months without ( I think!) any overt problems.
Users of Vencamil on this forum gave me very reassuring feedback but nevertheless, I felt it wasn’t right for me. On checking, I read that one ingredient was ‘heavy magnesium’. I don’t know what that is in terms of the brand and if indeed it matters. All I know is that I gave it a good ‘go’, enough for GP pharmacist to issue a new script as I was within 14 days of a 2 month script re-issue anyway. Back on my usual brands.
The excipient is 'heavy magnesium oxide' and that is simply to distinguish it from ordinary or 'light magnesium oxide'.
Two forms of magnesium oxide exist: a bulky form termed light magnesium oxide and a dense form termed heavy magnesium oxide.
The USP 32 and JP XV define both forms in a single monograph, while the BP 2009 and PhEur 6.4 have separate monographs for each form. For the heavy variety, 15 g has an apparent volume before settling of not more than 60 mL; for the light variety, 15 g has an apparent volume before settling of not more than 100 mL as defined by the BP 2009 and PhEur 6.4.
Both forms of magnesium oxide occur as fine, white, odorless powders. Magnesium oxide possesses a cubic crystal structure, though the BP 2009 and PhEur 6.4 describe the appearance of light magnesium oxide as an amorphous powder.
That is, more or less, the structure at the atomic/molecular level is different so one form is literally heavier than the other.
I'd be amazed if there were ever even one levothyroxine product we'd all agree was good for us. It would be interesting to know what proportion of those who have tried Vencamil have had problems - or found it good.
When I posted a few weeks ago, I had several very positive replies about Vencamil. I kept going with it until I was more or less sure 🤷♂️🤷♂️ it wasn’t for me. I really really didn’t want to get all twitchy about brands as I’m prone to overthink!
It is difficult isn't it? We all walk a tightrope with our thyroid and other co-morbidities. What suits one, doesn't suit all. and sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a change of brand is the cause of an issue. That is why this forum is invaluable. I knew someone would have first hand experience of Vencamil and if my brain hadn't been so foggy last night I would have searched out Helvellas excellent medication list. I just couldn't remember how to get to it.
I'll give Vencamil a whirl and report back on it. Hopefully, it will be OK. Fingers crossed.
Thanks Wedds.Can I ask how they didn't agree with you? I have noticed I am more tired than usual since starting them but hubby has a cold and I was wondering if I was coming down with it as well. You just never know what causes the ups and downs do you?
Hi Yes Asda has changed my brand also to the one you stated. I have noticed I am getting acking muscles, sleep more and feeling so cold more. These were the symptoms I had just before I was told I need to start taking Thyroxine first time. I had no issues with Teva. I am no longer getting my prescriptions from Asda now and getting Boots to deliver instead and the surgery said they will put Teva make on the prescription.
Hi SAA131, I am 3 months in taking Vencamil and can't say I like the brand really. Nothing specific I can put my finger on but just a general feeling that they are not quite hitting the spot. Then again, never feel quite right anyway, especially through the winter. G.P. not very amenable when I ask for a specific brand to be named on the prescription so will have to ask at ASDA pharmacy and see if they take any notice, if not I'll threaten to change pharmacy.
Your free hormone results 10 months ago were pretty low. Likely you mainly need a dose increase. Have you had a dose increase since hen and what are your latest results?
What supplements do you take and are vitamin levels at optimal?
Hi GlowCoach,I did get a 25mg increase in T4 via my private prescriber as GP was wetting his pants over my low TSH but think you may have replied to the wrong post as my original query was about a change of brand.
I looked back to a previous post of yours to try and assess if you were optimally replaced, which I dont think you are. This may well account for not feeling right on any brand of Levo.
Have you had new bloods run on your new increased dose yet?
Yes, had them run by GP last week and surprisingly they checked T3. See below
TSH 0.01 (0.3-4.5)
T4 17.9 (10.0- 22.0) This has increased since last Medichecks blood tests taken early Dec where T4 was 14.2 (same range).
T3 6.5 (3.1-6.8) This has also increased since last test where it was 5.4.
Got called into GP for " the chat", of course. Spouted the usual nonsense about AF and TSH and all the dire warnings. It's a new surgery and he asked why I sourced T3 privately, so I gave him chapter and verse about ICB not funding it and previous referrals being refused by the dreaded Prof Pearce etc. Looked bit bamboozled and said '... OK see you next year...'. I was just happy he didn't reduce my T4 or try to refer me to that awful OPAL study as I live in the N.E.
I have been getting a top up 25mg of T4 from private prescriber since Dec so that explains why my T4 has risen. I am keeping an eye on my T3 level as that has risen and is quite high for me. I usually hover around 4-5 so I might drop my teatime dose a little to see if that helps.
Many thanks for being so diligent and looking back at previous posts to see why I might be having issues with Vencamil though, although, tbh I don't like them. They dissolve as soon as they hit your saliva and I have very little with having Sjogrens anyway.
Think I will drop the T3 a little for a 6-8weeks or so and see if it makes a difference to how I feel. I will be retesting bloods privately early May so it should pick up any changes.
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