Eltroxin users - is there still a difficulty with the supply of these?

Daisygirl

Hi everyone,

About 3 months ago I requested a repeat prescription of my Eltroxin tablets and they only gave me 1 month's supply of a different brand one, I normally have enough for 3 months, so I telephoned the surgery about it, wondering why, and they said there was a problem with the supply of Eltroxin, and it should be ok by the time I finished these new tablets. Finishing these new tablets I requested another prescription for Eltroxin and lo and behold, this time I was given 3 months supply of the different ones again. I spoke to the pharmacist and she said, yes they were expecting them to come in since February!!! Now I'm feeling pretty rubbish with these new ones, very headachey, bloating, puffy face, putting on weight, so I can't wait to have my normal ones back again. I was wondering if anyone else had the same problem and what can be done about it - it's shocking really that they're having such problems with getting new supplies! I was also wondering about asking the chemist if I can do a swap as soon as my normal ones come in and if they would do this? Thanks for reading!

Daisygirl

Can anyone help please?

VfM4meplse

The active ingredient of Eltroxin is levothyroxine, given that the other ingredients are inert excipients, there is no logical reason for your physical reaction to other generic brands.

I think it might be worth asking your GP to re-test your T3 and T4 levels.

Once something has been dispensed, there is no swapping (or refunding) to be done btw.

TeaForOne

Usually generics are fine and exactly the same as each other, but there is a known problem with levothyroxine 100mg from Teva/ Numark:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON143688

Whether you have these or not you need to ensure you discuss this with your doctor to get your dosage sorted out and make sure they report this as an adverse drug reaction if necessary.

Good luck.

ali-t

IF you are feeling and displaying signs of being undermedicated as you have described (puffy face, weight gain etc), go back to your GP to get bloods done and ask them to compare the results from when you felt good to now.

If there is a difference, you may need to have your levels upped with the ones you are on now.

Mrs_P_Pincher

It is common for patients to do better on one brand than another and it is just unfortunate that you can't currently get the one you do best on.

You may need your GP to specify the brand you need when he writes the prescription. If he just says levothyroxine the pharmacist will dispense whatever they have in stock.

Mrs P P

TomsMom

I am another one who does better on the Eltroxin brand rather than a generic. My 100mcg tabs were unavailable for about 3 months or so. The pharmacist offered generics but I requested 50mcg Eltroxin tabs instead as they were still available, the pharmacist returned my prescription to the surgery and it was changed to Eltroxin 50mcg and I've been having these for the last few months. Last week I took my prescription in and the 100mcg tabs were available again so my prescription was changed back.

My GP is fine with me requesting Eltroxin, she accepts that with my 30 years plus experience of hypothyroidism then I am in a good position to know that Eltroxin suits me better.

weeneldo

Hi,

Your pharmacist won't be able to swap your medication if you bring it back as once the medication has left the pharmacy it can only be destroyed if handed back and to make a new supply would require a new prescription. Also, as you may already know, if a prescription says "Levothyroxine" then the NHS will only pay the pharmacist for the generic version as the Eltroxin brand is about twice the price. If the prescription says "Eltroxin" then the pharmacist may only legally dispense that brand.

There shouldn't really be any difference between Eltroxin and generic levothyroxine as they're made and regulated to be interchangeable. If, however, you do feel that you don't do as well on a different brand you have several options:

1. Get a prescription for Eltroxin and try and source the Eltroxin brand.
2. Continue taking the generic levothyroxine tablets you have and get your thyroid function tested to see if a dose adjustment is necessary and may sort things out
3. Get another prescription for generic levothyroxine and ask for a generic product from a different manufacturer.

Obviously your pharmacist will know your case better than me, so they'd probably be the best person to discuss this with as they will know the most about the availability of medicines in your area and will be able to advise you on the symptoms you are experiencing. Its also important for your pharmacist to know about any adverse reactions you may be having to your medication. Your pharmacist has a duty to ensure that the medicines they supply to you on a prescription are safe, at an appropriate dose and are effective at treating your condition. They therefore will help to ensure that your medication is working well for you and that if it isn't, you are either given advice on managing your condition or referred back to your GP.

jumpingjackd

Sorry to go a bit off topic but I have the same problem with Nexium. Been on them for years but a year ago began to get esomeprazole. Withing two months I was hoarse then lost my voice. Had biopsies etc done and discovered it was the generic brand causing it. I have since tried them again when Nexium was not available and the symptoms returned very quickly.

MalCoop

I am sorry I am a bit late posting to this topic but I have only just seen it. For a start I can inform you that according to PJ Online 100 micro gram Eltroxin is now available for normal orders from 1 September.

My wife takes Eltroxin and has had a similar problem since May this year. We solved it by contacting Mercury Pharma ( the manufacturers) who informed us that they did have emergency supplies available. Once I explained this in words of one syllable to my local pharmacy they were able to order for her.

The matter of generics being bio-equivalent to the branded medicine in the case of Levothyroxine has been proved incorrect by the experts. Many people will be OK with generics because the tolerance of the generics is within what their body requires. However there are others (personally I know two people in my street alone) who will go rapidly downhill on generics and who improve when given Eltroxin; this is a proven fact. If the op was prescribed Eltroxin by her GP then it is clear (especially given her symptoms) that she cannot thrive on generics.

polystyrene

There is another issue with UK Eltroxin supply. Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine is identical.


Date: 11 March 2013

Notice of temporary unavailability of Eltroxin tablets

Dear Patient
Mercury Pharmaceuticals may have been supplying your thyroid medication in two forms; Eltroxin or levothyroxine tablets.
The Eltroxin tablets are likely to be temporarily unavailable in the near future. This may mean that the pharmacist will give you levothyroxine tablets instead at exactly the same strength (after checking with your doctor). Switching to levothyroxine tablets is very unlikely to cause any problems as the two forms are the same and are produced by the same manufacturer. The main difference between the two is their respective names and accompanying packaging.
If you have any problems please let your doctor know.
We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Please contact Mercury Pharma Medical Information department in case of any queries:
[FONT=&quot]Tel: [/FONT][FONT=&quot]08700 70 30 33[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Email: [/FONT][EMAIL="medicalinformation@mercurypharma.com"][FONT=&quot]medicalinformation@mercurypharma.com[/FONT][/EMAIL]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Yours faithfully[/FONT]