Struck down by drug

Sunday, 07 September 2008

Hundreds of New Zealanders are suffering debilitating symptoms after switching to a new version of a thyroid drug.

Patient groups and two political parties are urging Pharmac to fast-track an alternative drug supply. But health authorities deny the drug is unsafe.

Visual problems, heart palpitations, migraine-like headaches, depression and "mental fog" are among complaints reported by patients on Eltroxin, the only Government-funded medicine for the treatment of underactive thyroids.

One Helensville woman believes she fell asleep at the wheel of her car because of the drug, which is taken by about 70,000 people.

Desperate patients are sourcing alternatives from overseas through sympathetic pharmacists, at personal expense. A Temuka pharmacy has 400 prescriptions for a drug called Synthroid, and is awaiting a shipment from Canada.

Another alternative made by GoldShield, and widely prescribed in Britain, has been available through some pharmacists at a fee. But last week importer Health Support was forced to discontinue supply after demand spiked above 2000 prescriptions.

Since last October, about 800 people have reported side effects from Eltroxin to the national centre that monitors adverse reactions. Centre director Dr Michael Tatley said this number was unusual. About 750 complaints were made since June, when the issue gained traction on talkback radio.

Patients say symptoms started after they were switched, many without their knowledge, to a new formulation of the drug mid last year.

Helensville woman Larraine Buswell, 48, said she, her husband Ross and two adult daughters all had debilitating side-effects from the new version. She experienced headaches, bad moods, aching muscles, memory problems, mental fog, poor balance and exhaustion.

Fatigue was so severe she fell asleep at the wheel during a 30-minute trip. Her daughter took control of the car after they swerved into the path of oncoming traffic.

"Menopause, depression - that's what was thrown at me," Buswell said. She made the connection with Eltroxin only after forgetting to take the drug and noticing she felt better.

Now, the family takes a natural alternative medicine derived from pig thyroids but Buswell was frustrated that she had to convince her doctor of the link before she received a different prescription.

South Canterbury pharmacist Allan Campbell calls it "the biggest drug interaction saga in New Zealand health history". Since word spread that he stocks GoldShield and soon Synthroid - at no profit - he has received 1000 calls.

"Some people were in tears. Some have lost their jobs; some haven't been able to get out of bed. One girl had her children taken off her because she couldn't cope, she was so confused."

After switching to an alternative, patients say the side-effects disappear within three weeks.

Patients have set up internet groups, including a TradeMe forum, and one group is investigating whether they may have a legal case against drug regulators.

National MP Jackie Blue and Green MP Sue Kedgley are urging the Ministry of Health to use special powers to fast-track an alternative drug supply.

"People are desperate out there," said Blue. "If it weren't for the goodwill of pharmacists running around trying to get alternatives, people would be in dire straits."

But Medsafe, the ministry section that checks drugs are safe and effective, maintains the new version of Eltroxin is safe. The drug has been retested by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and by ESR for Medsafe.

Medsafe's Dr Stewart Jessamine advised patients to check they were taking the right dose and on an empty stomach. GSK said the active ingredient was identical to the earlier version, the new formulation had been well tested and would not be changed.

REPORTED SIDE EFFECTS OF ELTROXIN
* Depression
* Lethargy
* Feeling of tightness in the head
* Headaches
* Heart palpitations
* Face/neck pain
* Body aches and pains generally
* Confusion
* Memory loss
* Weight gain
* Itchy skin/eyes
* Heart irregularities
* Visual problems
* Problems seeing colour
* Diarrhoea
* Constriction of throat

Anxious for a change

Dunedin mum-of-three Rebecca Lott, 37, has been on Eltroxin for eight years.

Late last year, she began suffering leg pain and headaches. Doctors put it down to her pregnancy. But when the symptoms persisted beyond the birth of her third child, Myles, she knew something was wrong.

The headaches worsened, she became supersensitive to the cold, her vision started playing up and she developed sleep apnoea. "People said, of course you're tired with three kids and a new baby. But I knew it wasn't normal."

When she heard about other Eltroxin-takers suffering similar problems, it all made sense. "I thought, thank goodness, I'm not going mad! I'm not depressed!"

She has been given prescription for an alternative drug, which some pharmacists are stocking.

Lott is now waiting for the drug to arrive in the country.

"I spent a bit of time crying when I realised I couldn't change in a hurry."

The side effects stopped her enjoying time at home with her children. "I feel like my time of reading books to the kids while I'm breastfeeding has been taken away."

Herald