Levoxyl Shortage for Thyroid Patients
I recently tried to refill my prescription for Levoxyl and learned I cannot due to a recall by the manufacturer Pfizer. I called Pfizer this morning and spoke to a robotic, though pleasant, customer service representative in India. She provided little useful information. Between my own research on the FDA and American Thyroid Association websites I learned the following:
* Pfizer has suspended production of Levoxyl, which is manufactured at a plant in Tennessee. Chemical contamination is the reason for suspended production. Emission of a strong odor was reported by pharmacists when opening 100 and 1000 tablet bottles of the product.
* Patients do not need to discard or return Levoxyl that they already have.
* The recall was initiated on March 28, 2013 and Levoxyl may not be available again until 2014.
* This recall impacts all strengths of Levoxyl.
* Pfizer cannot advise you on substitutes. You should contact your doctor to create a game plan for alternative medication you can take during the shortage.
As a young adult thyroid cancer patient, each morning I pop a Levoxyl 137 mcg. This tiny blue thyroid-shaped pill is a big part of my healthcare routine. I had a total thyroidectomy as a result of my papillary carcinoma, and because I have no thyroid gland to produce the hormone thyroxine, my blue Levoxyl pill is a substitute. Thyroxine regulates cellular metabolism, which in turn controls functions such as my body temperature, heart rate,...
Source: Everything Changes - Category: Cancer Authors: Kairol Rosenthal Tags: Uncategorized thyroid cancer levoxyl papillary carcinoma synthroid Source Type: blogs
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