Wockhardt UK Ltd, Levothyroxine 100micrograms/5ml Oral Solution
- The problem
- Wockhardt UK Ltd is recalling specific batches of Levothyroxine 100micrograms/5ml Oral Solution from pharmacies and wholesalers as a precautionary measure due to notification of the impurity liothyronine exceeding the specification limit.
- What to do
- Check the batch number on your pack against the list below. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without talking to your pharmacist, GP or prescriber first – they can check your supply and swap it if needed.
Product information
MDR Number
MDR 068-12/19
Company name
Wockhardt UK Ltd
Product description
Levothyroxine 100micrograms/5ml Oral Solution PL 29831/0495
- Batch Number: I53481
- Expiry Date: 31/03/2020
- Pack Size: 1 x 100ml
- First Distributed: 15/04/2019
- Batch Number: I54522
- Expiry Date: 31/05/2021
- Pack Size: 1 x 100ml
- First Distributed: 03/10/2019
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient: levothyroxine sodium
Brief description of the problem
Wockhardt UK Ltd is recalling specific batches of the above products from pharmacies and wholesalers as a precautionary measure due to notification of the impurity liothyronine exceeding the specification limit. Liothyronine is a degradant of Levothyroxine and can be used to treat the same conditions but with a faster onset and considered to be more potent than levothyroxine. This potency difference will result in different pharmacodynamic effects for patients.
Advice for healthcare professionals
Stop supplying the above products immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your original supplier using your supplier’s approved process.
Further Information
Liothyronine is a breakdown product that is present in Levothyroxine formulations. Liothyronine, the synthetic form of the natural thyroid hormone tri-iodothyronine, can itself be used to treat an underactive thyroid but is generally reserved to treat more severe forms of the condition. This is because liothyronine has a faster onset of action and is also more potent than levothyroxine. These differences in action mean there is a higher risk of adverse effects with increasing liothyronine content and is why this is controlled within strict limits within levothyroxine preparations.
Company contacts for further information
For medical Information enquiries, please contact Medical Information on 01978 661261 or email
drug.safety@wockhardt.co.uk.
For enquiries relating to stock returns please contact Wockhardt UK Ltd Customer Services on 01978
661261 or email customer.services@wockhardt.co.uk.
Levothyroxine 100micrograms/5ml Oral Solution – PL 29831/0495 – PIP code: 123-0051
Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this letter.
NHS Regional teams are asked to forward this to relevant clinics, general practitioners and community
pharmacists.
Download document
Class 2 Medicines Recall: Levothyroxine 100micrograms/5ml Oral Solution EL (20)A/04
Updated 30 January 2020. This page summarises an official notice. Details can change – always follow the official notice.