Levothyrox, a drug prescribed to more than 3 million French people for thyroid problems, has been in the spotlight for several months. Since a new formula hit the market in March 2017, many patients have complained side effects such as cramps, headaches, dizziness or hair loss.
For the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) and according to the first results of the pharmacovigilance survey, these effects are due to “a thyroid imbalance” caused by the change in treatment and dosage and not to the new formula. -same. In all cases, the old formula has been redistributed in pharmacies in limited quantities, and an alternative has arrived: L-Thyroxin Henning, marketed by the Sanofi laboratory.
Levothyrox investigation moving forward
This case is nevertheless the subject of a preliminary investigation and the ANSM was searched under the conduct of the magistrate at the head of the health pole of the Marseille prosecutor’s office. Indeed, it is the ANSM which gave the instruction to the Merk laboratory to change its formula in order to make the product more stable. The active principle of the drug, a thyroid hormone, deteriorates on contact with the excipients responsible for ensuring the preservation and transport of the hormone to its site of absorption. In the new formula, lactose gave way to mannitol, thanks to which the drug would have significantly gained in stability.
However, the charges are as follows: “aggravated deception, involuntary attacks on physical integrity and endangering the life of others”. This is the second search carried out in this case, the first having taken place in early October. at the headquarters of the Merk laboratoryIn Lyon. Boxes of drugs and documents were then seized.
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