Sandoz Levothyroxine

Recently filled a prescription for Levothyroxine 150 mcg and noticed a very fowl smell and ultimately a slightly different taste when taking it. One side of the pill is marked with "150" and the other side with "GG338." We questioned the pharmacist about this and they opened a new bottle that smelled the same to us, but she didn't smell anything so nothing was done. I know Levoxyl was discontinued for a while for this very problem. Is there any information out there about this Sandoz product?

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REPORT

If you had a chance to read the FDA recall information, the odor it was recalled for was actually due to a problem with the absorbent canister that was packaged in the bottles, not the pills themselves. However, the odor was not found to cause any adverse health issues, or problems with the efficacy of the medication.

Have you actually taken it? How does it work for you?

If you are tasting the pill, then you are not taking it correctly. Pills should be placed as far back in your mouth as possible, just short of choking on them, and then immediately swallowed with a full 8 ounce glass of water, or other liquid, according to FDA directions.

Are you on any other medications?

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Ive been taking levothyroxin for well over a year how often should your thyroid levels be tested?

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Are they dissolving as soon as you place them on your tongue? I have always taken generic levothyroxine products but this last rx purchased in Sept 2017 dissolves as soon as I place it on my tongue! Not noticing any odor, but something is wrong! I am a pharmacist but I have to purchase at a chain because of insurance reasons.

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Re: Kelley (# 3)

My levothyroxin prescription was just changed to Sandoz, previously Milan. The Sandoz dissolves as soon as it hits my tongue, no matter how far back I toss it or how quickly I try to swallow it. It's making me gag. Today my face is very itchy, like hives. Going to ask my Dr to specify going back to MIlan brand, or switching to Synthroid, even if it costs more. This is very uncomfortable!

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Re: Kelley (# 3)

I have the same issue of it dissolving before I can swallow. I've called Sandoz and they blame the hurricane. The pharmacy switched me to Lannett. Not sure its agreeing with me. Contacted FDA also. Still no responses back.

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Levothyroxine made by Sandoz is the only med that keeps my levels normal. I've tried Mylan and Unithroid. They both gave me severe heat intolerance, racing thoughts, gi upset, night terrors, etc. The Sandoz brand is manufactured in Puerto Rico and will be back on the market soon. I can't wait to feel normal again.

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Re: Kelley (# 3)

I spoke with my pharmacy Walmart, Sandoz, and FDA and was told i was the only one with this problem of it dissolving to fast. I took for 20 years and this never dissolved like this before. Something is not right and no one is doing anything about it. My levels all changed, too. They stayed the same prior to this hurricane. Poor quality.

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I've taken levothyroxine for many years. A year ago, I noticed a bad smell in the Sandoz pills I was then taking. Also, over weeks, I developed an "itchy" cough and a burning sore area that was lower than an ordinary sore throat. Because of the cough, I finally had a bronchoscopy in Aug, 2017 and found out I had pseudomonas aeruginosa in my lungs. I believed the Sandoz pills had caused it. I took Ciprofloxacin for it--a dangerous drug, but it cured the germ according to my pulmonologist. I switched to a different levothyroxine manufacturer and the cough went away. After about nine months I refilled my rx for levothyroxine and wasn't paying attention. They gave me Sandoz, again. I started taking the pills because it was weekend and I didn't want my hair to start falling out from thyroid imbalance. After less than a week, I started having the itchy cough again and I feel really sure now that it is the FDA-cited unhygienic manufacturing practices of Sandoz or whoever makes the pills for them in India. Does anyone know if others have connected pseudomonas aeruginosa to levothyroxine 88mcg manufactured by Sandoz?

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Not sure if I commented on yours...I Had total thyroidectomy 5/2/18. Put on levothyroxine 175 mcg. Later levoxyl, i have a very foul taste and smell! It permeates my whole being. My numbers r good! My legs and ankles recently are huge.

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