Teva Levothyroxine and change to Vencamil, which doesn't agree with me.

[Maygirl]

I have been on Teva Levothyroxine for approximately 8 years and never had a problem with them. The pharmacy where I get my prescription is one I have used for all time I have been on the medication and never had a problem when I've asked for Teva. Went for my last prescription and was given a different brand Vencamil, although I explained to them I was on cancer treatment. Had it been the regular assistant think it probably would have been changed to TEVA, which she has done in the past. The Vencamil made me feel awful, tried it for a week but only got worse, loss of appetite, diarrhea, severe fatigue, it became bad enough for me to come off them, (although I know that wasn't wise), and the symptoms eased. To complicate things for last 9 months have been having cancer treatment, chemo and surgery, having no problem with Teva throughout it and am now, staring tomorrow, being put on Targeted Maintenance Treatment (Niraparib). My concern with changing brands was any side effects (which was proved right) from the Vencamil could blur any side effects from Niraparib which I know need to be recorded. I have a telephone appointment this evening (earliest I could get from ringing up last Wednesday) with the pharmacist from my surgery. Do I have any right to ask that they specify on my prescription I am given Teva brand?Thank you

Joan

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes you do

Request new prescription and get Teva added as the named brand on all future prescriptions

It should read Teva Levothyroxine in the first line of prescription

Government guidelines say that patients may need to remain on same brand at each prescription

Government guidelines for GP in support of patients if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands

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

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

We are obviously all different in which brand suits best

Many members can’t tolerate Teva and find Vencamil the best option

But you’re the other way around

[Maygirl in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slowdragon for your help and advice First time I've used this forum, definitely, recommended it. Will let you know how I get on after my appointment later this evening.Maygurl

[Maygirl in reply to Maygirl]

Hi Slowdragon. Thank you, all sorted. The Surgery Pharmacist has changed my prescription to say TEVA ONLY. Can collect my new prescription tomorrow. Information is definitely worth keeping. Maygirl.

[tattybogle]

hi Maygirl this is what you need to use :

MHRA Drug Safety Update From:

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Published 19 May 2021

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l... gov.uk/drug-safety-update/levothyroxine-new-prescribing-advice-for-patients-who-experience-symptoms-on-switching-between-different-levothyroxine-products

"Levothyroxine: new prescribing advice for patients who experience symptoms on switching between different levothyroxine products

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation...."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

it is also worth giving this new research paper to any GP /pharmacist who still insists 'all brands of levo are the same' hlevella has linked to it in his recent post here : healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... mannitol-lactose-citric-acid-and-levothyroxine

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

plus , it matters exactly how the prescription is written , the link on this post will take you to helvellas large medicines document . download it and look for the part about 'how to write prescriptions ~appendix F' so you can make sure GP does it right first time . healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... helvella-thyroid-hormone-medicines-uk

[Maygirl in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you Tattybogle. All sorted, Pharmacist has updated my prescription to say TEVA ONLY Collect it tomorrow. Information is definitely worth keeping. Maygirl