May72

[May72]

I have always been given Wockhardt brand of thyroid tablets but when I went to the chemist to pick up my tablets for this month, they had given me a brand called Tiva, they were full of excuses for the change of brand but basically were saying how difficult it is to get certain tablets and will have to take what is given. Has anybody else had this happen to them and also any side effects from Tiva brand.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Many people don't accept Teva as the excipients cause them issues on the other hand some people prefer them!

[Flowers2]

Hi. Can I ask what are the side affects? My brand seems to change fairly often . I have lots of niggley annoying things going on that don’t seem to be diagnosed. I wonder if it’s the thyroxine tabs. I’d be interested to know. I hope you get the brand that suits you.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Flowers2]

Its the excipients or fillers in the tablets that cause issues, rather than the medication itself. Teva contains mannitol which can cause digestive issues if you are susceptible. However its lactose free so can be good for those who cant tolerate lactose or prefer to avoid it.

Mercury Pharma contains acacia powder, it made me itchy. I use Accord and have it as a named brand on my prescription.

[Obsdian]

Get your GP to include the name of the brand you prefer in the first line of thr prescription, then your pharmacist will have to order that one. I also request my prescription two weeks early as it mostly takes that long to get the right one in.

Teva is what I take. I am one that has had no reactions to the exipients.

[May72 in reply to Obsdian]

My doctor did write Wockhardt only but the pharmacist said he should have written it in the line above he was being extremely difficult - hence signed in with another chemist, who was more understanding, so will have to see what happens. Thanks for replying.

[Obsdian in reply to May72]

This recently happened to me too when GP not my own wrote my new prescription, even when I asked for the brand written intothe prescription she wrote it in the notes not the first line.... Apparently pharmacists don't bother to read despite having access to do so.

[helvella Administrator in reply to May72]

If it isn't on the top line, there are difficulties in the pharmacy getting appropriate payment for the more expensive Wockhardt. That is why it is important. To them.

[helvella Administrator]

I wrote a blog in which I try to explain why Teva is often questioned. But it could be important not to jump to conclusions.

helvella - Teva versus the rest

A discussion of the issues surrounding Teva levothyroxine.

Last updated 13/12/2024

Link to blog:

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

This links to my document listing ALL UK thyroid hormone medicines including details such as all excipients.

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).

Direct link to PDF:

📄 dropbox.com/s/bo2jzxucgp9hl...

Direct link to blog:

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

There have been, and likely continue to be, problems of supply with some makes. From personal experience Wockhardt has been almost impossible to obtain.

[Catlover1981]

I must be in the minority I can take any brand of Levothyroxine.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Catlover1981]

When I first started on levothyroxine, while I knew of issues some had, my attitude was that I would happily take any make.

It lasted a few months. Then started to find out how different they could be. For a while, I would accept Accord or Mercury Pharma - but started to realise how differently they affected me. Nothing terrible. But where I felt I was by the time I was due my next dose.

Teva New Formulation (the current product) affected my stomach.

Then stuck to Accord for a long time. But had some problems with specific batches.

And switched to Vencamil where I am right now. (Desperately trying to get my 25 microgram prescription changed that as well!)

And I have tried a considerable number of makes including five or so which are not available in the UK.