The old formula of Levothyrox, a medication prescribed to treat thyroid disorders, will still be distributed in France in 2024 and 2025.
- Levothyrox is a treatment prescribed for patients suffering from thyroid disorders.
- Recently, the Merck laboratory announced that it would extend the distribution of the old Levothyrox formula in France in 2024 and 2025.
- More than 30,000 patients have reported headaches, insomnia, dizziness and other side effects after taking the new formulation of Levothyrox.
Good news for patients suffering from thyroid disorders. On Tuesday, September 5, the German laboratory Merck announced the extension of the distribution of Euthyrox, the old formula of Levothyrox, in France. This treatment replaces natural thyroxine when it is no longer secreted in sufficient quantity by the thyroid.
Levothyrox: side effects reported by 30,000 patients
This decision responded to a request from the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM). Indeed, more than 30,000 patients reported headaches, insomnia, dizziness and other side effects following taking the new formula of Levothyrox between March 2017 and April 2018. “Merck has just agreed to extend these imports again, still temporarily, in 2024 and 2025 (…)”the group said in a press release.
The distribution of the old formula of Levothyrox was to stop in 2020, but it was extended several times due to legal proceedings surrounding the new formula, which retains the same active ingredient, levothyroxine, but with new excipients.
Huge relief for 100,000 thyroid patients
Upon hearing this news, the French Association of Thyroid Patients said he felt “a huge relief.” “Let us remember that even today there are around 100,000 patients who find that this formulation is the one that suits them best. And who feared that it would disappear”noted the organization.
However, the Merck laboratory warned about “the need for healthcare professionals to help patients find the long-term treatment that best suits them, in order to anticipate the day when this old formula will no longer be available at all”. As the group explained, transitional imports will be made from batches intended for the last countries that have not yet switched to the new formula of the drug, “i.e. Germany then Russia until 2023 then Argentina from the end of this year“.
