thyroid tablets

[snowrose]

i am taking 125 mg a day of levothyroxine, mine seem to come in different colourede packs,can you get a dear tablets and cheaper ones.

i got some once in a nice orange box,the lady at the chemist said oh not gone any of your normally ones have to have these dearer ones.

[rosycider]

The cost will depend on whether the prescription states a brand name or just Levothyroxine. If just Levothyroxine this isa generic name and the pharmacist will dispense the cheapest version. If the brand name appears eg Eltroxin then the pharmacist has to provide the brand name which may be considerably dearer than teh generic name. Its a bit like buying Nurofen ( brand name, very expensive) and ibuprofen the generic name with the same active ingredient at two thirds the price. In some cases the brand name drug may have a slightly different makeup to the generic and for this reason people on for example anti convulsants should have the same brand name drug prescribed to ensure minimal problems from taking a 'different' drug. Generic names are preferred by the government as they are usually cheaper.!

[dot.hawkes]

I had the orange boxes for the last few months but this last lot are in a white box with an orange circle inside a green circle, the brand name on the corner of the box is TEVA, i have been taking them for nearly 20 years and have had all kinds.

[howden boy]

what do thyroid problems consist of hawkes
just curious thats all

[snowrose]

levothyroxine tablets.
hello
so how do you make sure you get the same brand each time?
the dearer ones were called goldshield.
some times i get a white and red pack and a green and white pack.

does it make a difference to what tablets you get if you buy them and not get them free as i do,do they give you the cheap ones because you are not paying for them.

i have not taken any tablets for the last week,i konw i should not do this but i have more energy now then before.

[Ethel]

The active ingredients (the important bits) are EXACTLY the same whichever ones you are given.

[Pippa68]

Ethel is right ~ it doesn't matter which ones you are given, but whatever ones you are given you must take them regularly!

You shouldn't stop the medication unless instructed by your GP.

I am on the same dose as you, snowrose ~ and have two different packets.

[Pippa68]

I forgot to say...all thyroid medication is free.

[rosycider]

Pharmacists give you what they have in stock and what is most popular if your GP has prescribed by generic name. . The cost of a prescription does not always cover the cost of the medicines prescribed. This is one of the arguments about prescription charges. If you pay for regular prescriptions of more than 3 items a month it might be worth getting a pre pay certificate which reduces your costs over the year.