Crumbling Almus Levothyroxine tablets .....

[summer01]

Does anyone else's levothyroxine break and crumble when 'popping' them out of the pack? This happened with my last pack and current pack of almus brand. I worry that leaving the odd crumb behind each day will make a difference! Am I just being heavy handed??

[Joyia]

I have noticed the same thing, when my Almus tablet crumbled onto the work surface I scanned it carefully in case I had missed some, quite annoying.

[summer01 in reply to Joyia]

So its mot just me being heavy handed! Are you on 100mcg? I've phoned boots to complain about it and realised that I've only experienced this since being increased from 75mcg. I've also just sent an email to Almus. Not sure that it will do anything but its worth a try!

[Joyia in reply to summer01]

Yes summer it was my 100mcg pack that crumbled. Have to say no problems last two morning, strange.

Thanks Rod for popper device information, I had no idea such useful things were available.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Two things:

If this is a serious difficulty - i.e. not simply being clumsy the odd time - I would take it up with the manufacturer. (Actually, take it up with Almus who will have to talk to the company that supplies to them!) You might copy MHRA in on any correspondence.

If it is an occasional, personal difficulty, maybe due to hands not working well, you could try something like the popper device linked below. This is NOT a recommendation - simply the first one I found with a half-way decent review status!

amazon.co.uk/dp/B0056PQEFY

Rod

[summer01 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, I don't tend to have difficulty with my hands so I think it's the pills rather than me. I've raised it with Boots and also wrote to Almus. I'll now send that to MHRA (didn't think of that).

It's not good is it, I thought maybe it was one faulty pack but my new one is the same. It's bad enough getting on the right dose without losing some of it!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to summer01]

It is not good.

The blister packaging should be appropriate to the contents - in terms of size, ease of popping, etc. so that it works properly.

[hooper in reply to helvella]

I had this happen once. I suppose that isn't bad considering I've been on thyroxine for nearly 7 years now. I mentioned it at the chemist I got them from, they said to return them and gave me another pack.

[summer01 in reply to hooper]

It's been the last two packs so don't think it's just a bad pack. Boots said that if it happens again they'll look at ordering something else in - not sure what!

[asterisk]

The efficacy of the tablets will probably be seriously impaired if they are crumbling due to something wrong in manufacture or storage. You should definitely ask the pharmacist to replace them.

I had to report a bad batch of Almus 100mcg to the MHRA last summer after I became very hypo-poorly very quickly after moving from goldshired to Almus (not my choice). Pharmacist and GP agreed that the tablets were faulty. As soon as they were replaced I improved very quickly on the same dose of a different brand.

I haven't used Almus since then but my next batch of tablets has been delivered and I see they are Almus (not started them yet). Just out of curiosity, what is the batch number of the tablets you have that are crumbling? Mine are TC1000, manufactured o5/2012..

[summer01 in reply to asterisk]

Thanks, yes your right, there's no point keep taking them as I've still got a couple of weeks to go, I'll pop into boots tomorrow to see if they can swap them. I don't feel fantastic at the moment so these tablets probably aren't helping.

The batch number is TC 1004, manufactured 06/2012. I had the same problem with the last box too but I don't have the packaging. Hope your box is ok!

[summer01 in reply to asterisk]

Sorry, that was the wrong box I looked at - I haven't started the TC 1004 ones yet. Didn't realise I had a new box, I'll start those tomorrow (the brain fog is obviously worse that I thought!).

The faulty box is TA 1321 manufactured 04/2012

[Joyia in reply to asterisk]

What a good point to make as my crumbling tablet came from the same batch number as yours.

[Joyia in reply to Joyia]

Oh my batch number is TC1000 05/2012

[Beautifulchaos]

I had that same problem with a pack of my 100mcg tablets and i think they were Almus too. I've just started a new box so hope it won't happen again! i always use my thumbnail to score the edge of the foil area.

[Pink_Bear]

I had the same problem for a while last year and my health definitely nose dived - I'm certain I wasn't getting the correct dose by scooping up the bits. I would definitely reject the pack and ask for a replacement if this happened again,

[Princesspea]

I have also had this happen. Have never paid attention to the brand and not sure doseage but I do have 1000mcg tablets so it may well have been them. It's happened quite a few times with different packets also. They say actavis on the packet, not sure if that is alums?

[summer01 in reply to Princesspea]

Hi, I've received a response from almus today. They have said they have passed my feedback to the product licence holder- Actavis, for investigation. So it does seem that they are the same.

[sunshine55]

i have had this happen with most of my tablets in the 50mg pack im on 75 and the 25 does not do it, im also worried i was not getting my right medication

[Smileyface]

Hi,

Found this post and thought i would add that i was changed to Actavis 100mcg tablets 5 weeks ago by the chemist and i now feel like crap. I have many of these tablets crumble on me and so i thought i would look this up on here.

It looks like Actavis have not sorted this problem.

Activas 100mcg tablets

Batch TC 1151

Manufactured 06/2014

Expire 05/2016

I have been to my Gp arranged TSH blood test to see if change. Got a new prescription and will be finding the make i have always had else where.

[tweed in reply to Smileyface]

Hi smileyface

I know this post was a long time ago but I have to mention that I have found most of my actavis 100s are crumbling and it's been happening for a few months. I had a routine blood test 2 weeks ago and my TSH is nearly 5. I'm so annoyed as I've had years of trying to stabilise it and could have done without this!!!! I'm going to speak to the pharmacist today I'm so glad I saw this post!!!! Hope all well with you now!!! 😃

[summer01]

Hi Smileyface, sorry to hear that you're having this problem too. After my post the tablets did improve, I've only had one crumble this week which I just put down to a one off. The response I received from almus was:

Thank you for your email below regarding the Almus Levothyroxine Tablets that are breaking and crumbling, we have now completed our investigation into this.

The manufacturers of the Levothyroxine Tablets have confirmed that they have put in place some immediate corrective actions, which have resulted in a harder tablet, and have also begun granulation trials to improve tablet robustness further. They will also continue to monitor this product as part of their product quality complaints system.

On behalf of Almus Pharmaceuticals, I apologise for any inconvenience caused and assure you of our continued commitment to the supply of high quality products. We thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback, it is through the feedback that we received from our customers that we are able to maintain and improve upon the quality standards that we strive for.

Hope this doesn't affect you too much and you feel better soon .

[Smileyface]

Thanks, i hope the rest of your tablets are okay. it seems that things are still not right.

[Clutter in reply to Smileyface]

Smileyface, you don't have to accept the pharmacist changing the make of Levothyroxine you take. Ask them to make a note on your records that you should always be supplied Mercury Pharma or Actavis (whichever you prefer) and demand the prescription back if they are unwilling to comply. Most pharmacies will and can order in your requirement within 24 hours if they don't have it in stock.

[Smileyface]

Thanks Clutter I was in a bad way when I picked up my levothyroxine and so I didn't give it any thought, I already have my antidepressants named by brand at the chemist.

I'm cross with myself that i got into this position as i know i have to be careful.

[Clutter]

Smileyface, the counter assistant suggested I should check everytime I picked up my Levothyroxine but also said I couldn't change the make once they handed it over to me at the counter I said it was as much as I could do to remember my name and if they couldn't be bothered to note my requirements I was happy to collect my prescriptions elsewhere. Pharmacist said it was no problem whatsoever and exchanged the MP for Actavis as I requested.

[MrsD89]

I am currently in Portugal and two days running I have popped pills out and they crumbled 😡. No idea of batch or manufacturer as I have cut packs to put in my pill box. This has happened loads of times before to me as well. If this continues all week I can only assume I will be a complete mess on my return to England ☹️

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to MrsD89]

First, it happened to me lots of time before they adjusted things at the factory. Now it never happens. So it does appear that yours are likely older.

Second, so long as you do actually consume all the fragments, well, I never noticed any difference if it had, or had ot, crumbled. But if some fell on the floor, that would reduce your dose.

Third, get yourself along to a pharmacy and ask what they can do to help. I think we have heard some positive expereinces of people with levothyroxine wose in Portugal. What they can supply will be a different make but probably better than doing without.

Take what you have with you - if they can see your tablets it might help.

The Patient Information Leaflet is available here:

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

(That might or might not work in Portugal - I don't know,) It might help to prove what you have.